Lely Opens with Island Coast

By Roger LaLonde

It is a new head coach, with mostly new assistants, looking to begin a new day with the Lely football program.

It starts with Lely’s first fall game at 7 PM August 19, hosting Island Coast.

Maurice Belser gained his first experience with the Trojans in its spring game, shortly after replacing Culmer St. Jean.

Belser chose to replace many long-time coaches as he puts his mark on this year’s team.

New coaches

include Derek Woods, linebackers, Cliff Cook, defensive backs, Bill Dunne, defensive linemen, Allen Carter, offensive coordinator and Talise Simeon, receivers. Returning is Mike Cassio, running backs coach.

Soon the new-coach chatter will be over.

“The team has made good progress, we all have worked at doing things right,” Belser said. “We will be working to play a disciplined game that can be the difference.”

One of the keys is defensive linebacker Will Glasser. “He’s

nasty, plays whistle to whistle. He’s the leader of our defense,” Belser said.

Defensive stalwarts also include Luc Thelice, Blazidy Duprat and Hakeem Durity. Bolstering the offensive line will be Chris Calcagnini and Marco Celus.

Junior quarterback Jacques Carter has experience and showed his potential in the spring game. He ran for 101 yards and threw for 181 and two touchdowns in Lely’s 33-27 win over Pompano Beach-Blanche Ely.

Running backs looking to make

a difference are Jason Jean and Mark Noel, with Taeijon Wright and Jean Joseph as wide receivers.

Kicker Noah Reich “Is something special,” Belser said. “He can be a game changer.” In practice, with defenders charging, Reich kept his cool for a 42-yard field.

There are expectations for improvement after a 2-8 season. Its first game, although considered preseason, will show how far Lely has come.

Lely opens it regular season schedule by hosting Gulf Coast at 7 PM on

August 26.