A prolific passing attack helped power the Greenwich football team to the CIAC Class LL title last season and though numerous outstanding athletes graduated from the 2022 championship squad, the Cardinals’ receiving corps is once again, a unit with plenty of depth.

The Cardinals provided a glimpse of their group of receivers at the Grip It and Rip It Championships, held this past Friday and Saturday at New Canaan High School. The wide receivers fared well for Greenwich, which made it to the semifinal-round of the Grip It and Rip It event.

“The receivers did very well, we are very deep this year, we have a lot of team speed,” Greenwich coach Anthony Morello said. “We have arguably, more team speed than we did last year and we want to utilize that speed in all areas.”

Greenwich enters the upcoming 2023 season off a 2022 campaign in which it registered a record of 11-2, including a 37-17 victory over Fairfield Prep in the championship game of the CIAC Class LL state tournament. Last season saw the Cardinals score more than 30 points in 11 of their 13 games, while quarterback Jack Wilson, a 2023 GHS graduate, passed for 2,327 yards with 25 touchdowns.

James Wailgum, also a 2023 graduate, led the team in receptions (63) and receiving yards (980), while Charlie Dixon compiled 682 receiving yards during his senior season with the Cards. Since so many athletes from last season’s championship squad graduated, the Cardinals will rely on a wealth of players to rise to the occasion this fall.

Jake Stefanowicz, Gavyn Gennarelli and Brandon Auguste are entering their senior year and bring experience at wide receiver. The trio each saw playing time a season ago, with Auguste also showcasing his skills as a punt and kick returner.

John McHugh and Alex Flook, also rising seniors, are tight ends, who should see plenty of action, while junior Blake Martin and senior Ryan McBrearity are also among some of the returning receivers.

Noah Park, a sophomore, is one of the younger players that will join the varsity squad this fall at the wide receiver position. Seniors Rocco Grillo, Brandon Boone and Kaine Rame are in competition for the role as the Cardinals’ starting quarterback.

“The chemistry is getting better every day,” Auguste said of working with the quarterbacks. “I’ve known Rocco since third grade and we’ve been playing together since fifth grade, so the chemistry has always been there.”

George Vomvolakis, who is entering his senior year as well, is coming off a junior season in which he rushed for 1,034 yards and 12 touchdowns, including a 152-yard, two-touchdown performance in the CIAC Class LL title game against Fairfield Prep.

The speedy, shifty Vomvolakis should also aid the Cardinals’ passing game, catching passes out of the backfield.

“Offensively, we are a lot shiftier and mobile than last year,” Vomvolakis said. “We can run routes, catch the ball and get down field.”

Indeed, Greenwich possesses what looks to be, a versatile group of receivers.

“We all have our different skill sets, but they all mesh together well,” Auguste noted. “We play off each other’s strengths and we try to help each other.”

Greenwich’s offense was consistent throughout its 2022 campaign. Their lowest point total in a game was 28 in a one-point loss to Southington. During the Class LL Tournament, GHS outscored its three opponents by a combined score of 126-24.

“I think this year we can match what we did offensively last year maybe do even better,” Auguste said. “We have a lot of potential and we can do great things.”

The Grip It and Rip It Championship also provided an opportunity for the defensive backs for each of the 33 participating teams to get into shape and sharpen their skills for the upcoming season.

Senior defensive back Nick Aravides was on hand at the Grip It and Rip It passing tournament, along with his fellow teammates in the defensive backfield.

“We are good on both sides of the ball,” Aravides said. “Along with veteran coaches, we have a lot of veteran guys we are going to be very good this year.”

Greenwich’s defense knows it must be laser focused each game with the challenging schedule it traditionally faces.

“I think the FCIAC has redefined its brand of football,” Aravides noted. “The FCIAC, I think, is the best division in the state. The FCIAC definitely prepares us for the playoffs and the alignment games in the state.”

Aravides, senior Jaden Scott, George Vomvolakis, senior Ryan Park, senior Sebastian Parra (linebacker and defensive back) and junior Jack Carroll are among some of the athletes in the Cards’ secondary.

“We’re ahead of the game in our defensive coverages,” Morello said. “We’re expecting really big things from our defense across the board this year.”

Said George Vomvolakis: “Defensively, we are looking good. People thought our secondary would be our weak spot coming into the season, but I 100 percent disagree. I think it’s one of our strong spots, to be honest.”

Receiving each opponent’s best effort is what Greenwich is expecting this fall.

“You have a chip on our shoulder when you’re the defending state champions,” George Vomvolakis noted. “You’re everybody’s Super Bowl, basically, everyone’s coming after you. But we’re definitely looking to repeat and win the state championship again.”

Morello said: “Winning a state championship the year before can be your best friend or worst enemy. Everyone is thinking about last year and the successes and the more you think about last year, the less you’re thinking about this year. By that same token, these guys want to push themselves to that level. They want to be great like last year’s group. There is that much more motivation to push themselves to be where they want to be at the end of the season.”