3 Things To Look Out For In ILS Football Season Opener

ILS opens up their 2020 season Friday against St. Brendan.

Michael Yero, Writer

The Immaculata-La Salle Royal Lions open up their 2020 football season Friday at 7:00 p.m. against rival St. Brendan.

This will be the first time both teams meet for football, though the Sabres and Royal Lions have battled in other sports for years. That being said, there’s a lot on the line for the Royal Lions, who look to claim their third consecutive 1-0 start.

Here are three things to look out for in tonight’s contest:

1.) New faces on the offensive side.

Reboso enters his first season at ILS with a winning background. (Michael Yero)

Head Coach Helder Valle made it a priority to substitute all of its players who graduated last season. That featured adding quarterback Daniel Reboso Jr. and running back Jarrod Carr, who fill-in for starters Francis Coronado and Deondre Dozier.

Reboso enters his junior campaign at ILS with successful ties, having led St. Brendan to a 10-1 run in 2019, which included a FIFC conference championship. He finished the year completing 70 of his 115 throws for 1,034 yards and 16 touchdowns.

As for Carr, he looks to use his awareness to find open space and potentially even take it to the house. The coaching staff expects big things from the 5-foot-8 halfback.

Along with Reboso and Carr, keep an eye out for junior James Brill, a speedy wide receiver bound to make the offense even better.

2.) Familiar faces bound to make a bigger impact.

With Zach Barrios out, sophomore wideout Demetrious Johnson has hefty expectations in terms of leading the Lions offensively. Coming off an impressive freshman year, where he totaled 16 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns, there’s no excuse as to why he can’t make significant strides.

On the defensive side, sophomore tackle Dairo Melendez looks to pick up where he left off and replace Lafonzo Ruffin, a difference maker on last year’s  team. Melendez registered 26 total tackles and 3.5 sacks last season, making him one of the standouts of this team as a freshman.

Other returning players to keep an eye on: seniors MLB Eric Islami, OL/DL Luis Bodden, C/LS Eitan Grimberg, CB/SB Jude Servius.

3.) Limiting the production of Sabres receiver Richard Dandridge.

If there’s one player bound to change the course of this game, it’s class of 2023 prospect Richard Dandridge.

Dandridge, who has Division I offers from Texas A&M and Louisville, was a crucial piece the Sabres’ 38-0 win over Everglades Prep Academy last week, as his speed and elusiveness earned him multiple catches and a touchdown.

It’ll be important to limit his production to keep St. Brendan from finding their groove.

Here’s how to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImvbEHK66i8&feature=youtu.be