Rocco Grillo was the starting quarterback for the Greenwich High School football team in 2023, a role he filled exceptionally well while leading the Cardinals to the semifinal-round of the CIAC Class LL Tournament. Grillo graduated last month and is heading to Fordham University, where he will take his football skills, so it’s time for new leadership at the quarterback spot for Greenwich, a position the team has received a wealth of production from over the years.

Seniors Michael D’Angelo and Nick Wells are among the players competing for the role as the Cardinals starting quarterback. The duo have been a part of Greenwich’s football program for several seasons, where they each have learned from the previous starting signal callers – Grillo and Jack Wilson, both of left an outstanding legacy at quarterback.

The Cardinals’ quarterbacks and receivers had an opportunity to gain all-important chemistry and timing this past weekend at the Grip It and Rip It 7-on-7 Passing Tournament at New Canaan High School. The Grip It and Rip It Passing Tournament included 36 teams, with a good portion of the squads representing the FCIAC, SCC, SWC, CCC, ECC, Pequot, NEPSAC and NVL.

“To have this experience against all the different defenses and see the field in a lot of different ways – it will help to get the little things down by the time the pads come on,” said D’Angelo, one of the Cardinals’ backup quarterbacks one season ago. “I think all the boys are feeling the rhythm and we’re getting going.”

The Cardinals put forth a strong performance at the Grip It and Rip It 7-on-7 Passing Tournament, advancing all the way to Saturday’s semifinal-round. Greenwich registered a record of 4-1 on Saturday, earning victories against Stamford, Greenwich Country Day School, Fairfield Prep and Woodland. The Cards were edged by Newtown, 16-15, in the semifinals. Newtown then lost to Cardinals Hayes High School from the Bronx, N.Y., in the Grip It and Rip It final. Wells and D’Angelo got most of the repetitions at quarterback during the passing tournament.

“It was unselfish football and that’s what you want to see,” Greenwich coach Anthony Morello said of his team’s performance at the 7-on-7 passing tournament. “We have two quarterbacks who were complementing each other all day. They both played tons of reps between the two days, so it was great. It was great to see these guys out here competing.”

D’Angelo and Wells each displayed their strong throwing arms while reading the numerous defenses they faced. They showed stellar rapport with the Cardinals’ numerous wide receivers.

Indeed, vying for the starting quarterback role is an opportunity D’Angelo has worked toward.

“It’s always been a dream of mine,” D’Angelo noted. “Ever since I was young, I’ve watched all the players come out and thought they were the coolest players ever. And to finally be a part of this program, be a part of this team – it’s really a family, we hold each other to the highest standards and it’s great competing. We make each other better, especially me and Nick. We’re out here every day making each other better.”

The 2023 season was one of a learning experience for Wells and D’Angelo, as they took in what they saw from Grillo, who helped lead the Cardinals to a record of 10-2.

“Last year sitting and watching Rocco – film room, game days, how we operate the offense – was something we needed to witness to be put in this position,” Wells said. “I think it was a great experience.”

Said D’Angelo: “It is a process, it’s a journey and we’re here for it. Last year to sit and watch Rocco and even the year before that – Jack Wilson. I was on the sidelines for those games. To hear them speak and hear how they operate an offense and to see how they go through a game and plan for a game was huge. It was an important part of my process of learning how to play quarterback and how to be a leader. They were a big part of my journey.

Traditionally, Greenwich has been impressive on both sides of the ball. Last season saw the Cards flourish on offense and defense en route to once again, becoming one of the powerhouse squads in the state.

This fall, the Cardinals of course, are hoping for the same type of production on offense and defense. The team’s quarterbacks are aiming to make the offensive unit tough for the opposition to stop.

“We have a bunch of dudes that get open, it makes our job easier,” Wells said of Greenwich’s wide receivers. “All the credit to the receivers and play calling. Everything gets wide open with these guys.”

As for the Cardinals’ potential on offense?

“I think we have so much potential,” Wells said. “We have a lot of young guys with a lot of power and I feel like it’s just all up to us what we can do with this.”

“We have unlimited potential,” D’Angelo added. “We take it day-by-day. Everybody is bought in, the whole team has bought in. We’re ready to go. We’re a family at the end of the day and I think we can do anything together.”

Morello was pleased with what he witnessed from D’Angelo and Wells at the 7-on-7 tournament and from the offensive unit as a whole.

“I thought they played great,” Morello said of the offense. “We scored on more possessions than we failed on. When you score more than you don’t it leads to good things. They (D’Angelo, Wells) are a really good tandem and there’s nothing you want to see more as a coach than a friendly, competitive competition. It makes for great football.”