Sweet 16 preview: Charlotte Catholic out to show that losing in first round isn’t normal
Editor’s Note: The Observer is taking a look at the 16 teams that are ranked in the preseason Sweet 16 prep football poll, released in random order. The true order of the teams will be revealed later this month.
Something very un-Charlotte Catholic-like happened last football season.
The Cougars, who had won state championships the previous four seasons, exited the playoffs in the first round.
Their hopes of making a deep run in the 4A playoffs were dashed in a 20-19 loss to Marvin Ridge — a setback that players say has made them eager to get the 2022 season started.
“Last year certainly wasn’t the way we wanted the season to end,” said Charlotte Catholic assistant coach Matt Reilly, who represented the Cougars’ coaching staff at the recent Southwestern 4A Conference media day event.
“When you’ve been successful for so many seasons, sometimes you might take things for granted,” Reilly added. “You don’t get chance after chance.”
It was the first time since 2010 that Charlotte Catholic lost in the first round of the playoffs.
So the Cougars are back, with enough returning talent — on one side of the ball, at least — to keep their football season deep into the postseason. Thanksgiving weekend football is a tradition at Charlotte Catholic.
Head coach Mike Brodowicz, who is in his ninth season after replacing the late Jim Oddo, can build the offense around nine returning starters.
Sean Boyle, a Charlotte 49ers’ commit, is back at quarterback. Senior fullback Griffin Sovine, who rushed for more than 600 yards last season, will lead the ground attack that is at the heart of what Charlotte Catholic does offensively.
The offensive line is experienced and talented, led by center John Macuga and tackle Clint Barlow. Macuga, at 255 pounds, is quick enough on his feet to play lacrosse for the Cougars.
But you don’t talk about the Charlotte Catholic offense without acknowledging the presence of junior tight end Jack Larsen, a Notre Dame commit. At 6-3 and 225 pounds, Larson is a big and sure-handed target for Boyle.
“We don’t throw a lot,” Larsen said. “But you’ve always got to be ready, in case the need is there.”
Charlotte Catholic ran the ball 324 times last year. The Cougars passed on 94 plays, and more often than not, Larsen was the target.
Reilly said Larsen and the other receivers give the Cougars a serious weapon beyond the running attack.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “If it means running the ball on every play, we will. But if it means throwing it, we’ll do that.”
Larsen says last year’s playoff loss to Marvin Ridge is a big deal to this season’s squad.
“It opened our eyes,” he said. “We’ve been a lot tighter in the offseason, with a loss like that. It’s definitely motivating us for this season.”
Defense isn’t as cut-and-dried of a matter.
Only two starters return, including Gavin Hood, a 6-1, 320-pound roadblock.
But the Cougars’ perennially have a strong defense. And with Charlotte Catholic running the ball 80 or 90 percent of the time, opponents don’t get a lot of plays from scrimmage anyways.
One game looming large on the Cougars’ schedule is the Labor Day weekend matchup with Providence Day, expected to be the area’s top-ranked team when the season starts.
“We’ll try to play our style of football and treat it like our other games,” said Boyle, the Cougars’ quarterback. But he also noted that the matchup has gotten the attention of the Charlotte Catholic community.
“It’ll be a big game,” Larsen said. “I think it will be loud. That’s the kind of game you look forward to.”
Inside Look: Charlotte Catholic Cougars
Head Coach: Mike Brodowicz (ninth year).
2021 Record: 7-3
Returning Starters: 11
Returning Lettermen: 42
Key Returnees: Jack Larson, Jr., TE (6-3, 225); Sean Boyle, Sr., QB (6-3, 185); Gavin Hood, Sr., DT (6-1, 320); Clint Barlow, Sr., OT (6-4, 315); John Macuga, Sr., C (6-3, 255); Griffin Sovine, Sr., FB (6-0, 206).
This story was originally published August 6, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
