Scoring certainly wasn’t a problem last season for the Greenwich High School football team, which averaged 30.8 points per game, behind a potent passing attack and outstanding running game – assets that led it all the way to the CIAC Class LL Tournament semifinals.

Though graduation claimed key athletes from last season’s squad that sported an impressive 10-2 record, the Cardinals believe they have still have plenty of potential on offense, with a several first-season varsity wide receivers joining the squad and a number of returning players primed to build upon last season’s success.

Greenwich competed in the two-day 17th annual Grip It and Rip It 7-on-7 Passing Tournament at New Canaan High School this past weekend and displayed its passing game, led by quarterbacks Michael D’Angelo and Nick Wells and numerous wide receivers. The Cardinals made a strong showing, at the Grip It and Rip It Passing Tournament, which featured more than 20 teams, advancing to the semifinal-round.

“Typically at this Grip It and Rip It, it’s a hot day the weather conditions are always tough,” Greenwich coach Anthony Morello said. “We’ve had guys tap out for cramping, body aches and not a single guy on this team tapped out. They all played every single rep that was asked of them. We had no cramping, which shows that they’re doing their work off the field as well as on the field. Overall, it was a great time here this weekend.”

Brandon Auguste and Gavyn Gennarelli paced Greenwich’s receiving corps in 2023. Gennarelli had 46 receptions for a team-high 638 yards with seven touchdowns, while Auguste had a team-best 53 catches for 536 yards and eight touchdowns. The dynamic receiving duo graduated from GHS last month, along with wide receivers Jake Stefanowicz (15 receptions, 153 yards in the 2023 season) and Ryan McBreairty (17 receptions, 150 yards in 2023).

Quarterback Rocco Grillo, who orchestrated the offense last season, passing for 1,894 yards with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions, graduated, along with the Cardinals’ two leading rushers from a season ago – George Vomvolakis (97 carries, 607 yards, eight touchdowns) and Ian Kim (158 rushes, 854 yards, 11 touchdowns).

Therefore, the Cardinals are hoping numerous athletes step up and embrace their increased roles this fall in order to maintain the program’s traditionally strong offense.

“There is definitely a lot of potential,” said wide receiver George Minchin, who is entering his senior season. “We have some young guys and a good senior core.”

“We all work for each other, we all work for the guy next to us,” Minchin continued, as he discussed the team’s performance at the Grip It and Rip It 7-on-7 Passing Tournament. “We put out a great effort. Everyone came in motivated and not one time during this camp did anyone give less than a 100 percent effort. So, overall, I’m proud of the guys.”

Morello liked what he saw from the receivers at the Grip It and Rip It Passing Tournament at New Canaan.

“The receivers played well today, not many drops,” Morello said at the 7-on-7 competition. “They were aligned correctly and the offense was running full steam in today’s events.”

Blake Martin, an incoming senior, made contributions at the wide receiver position in 2023 and will be relied upon to help ignite the receiving group this season.

“I think we have a lot of potential,” Martin said of the Cards’ receiving corps. “It’s a new season. We have a lot of first-year starters, including myself. We showed it today (at the 7-on-7 Passing Tournament) that we have talent.”

Martin enters the upcoming season with plenty of confidence after gaining valuable experience as a junior.

“It was a learning experience for me, because you always have to be ready and it’s a next man up mentality,” Martin said. “You have to be ready to go when your name is called.”

Receiver Matthew O’Donnell is also a rising senior that’s ready to make an impact on the offense.

“Going into my senior year, I want to go out and make the big plays when necessary and take on a leadership role,” O’Donnell said.

Significant strides have been made each time the receivers have practiced with the Cardinals’ quarterbacks.

“Camp has been going great,” O’Donnell noted. “It’s been a great experience. Today (the 7-on-7 passing tournament) proved a lot for the coaches. At the beginning of spring ball, we weren’t at all where we are today.”

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. 

“I think we did amazing, much better than everyone expected us to be,” said wide receiver Hudson Squires, who is going into his junior year at GHS. “In this 7-on-7, we showed everyone what we can do and I think that we exceeded everyone’s expectations for us.”

Squires is one of the numerous first-season varsity players that could make a significant impact on the team during its 2024 campaign.

“I’m super excited to play and I’m really excited to play with all my friends,” he said. “I played last year on JV with them and I think it’s going to be an amazing season.”

Throughout the summer so far, the Cardinals’ receivers have shown good rapport with the incoming senior quarterbacks – D’Angelo and Wells.

“Me, MJ, Nick, we always go out, we practice our hardest and we just try to get better every time we come out,” Martin noted.

“Both of our quarterbacks can definitely throw the ball, they can definitely get it out there,” Squires said. “They have so much talent and can be great quarterbacks.”

Rising seniors Andrew Brunetti and Michael Minyo and incoming junior Wim McCarthy are among some of Greenwich’s other receivers that are looking to contribute to the offense, while incoming junior Hector Lopez, a running back, should also figure in the team’s passing game plans.

Junior Michael Golden and senior Max Marek are among the Cardinals’ tight ends, who bring size and receiving ability to the position.

“The sky is our potential,” O’Donnell said. “We haven’t even shown the run game yet. It could be unstoppable.”

The Cardinals open their 2024 season on Sept. 13 at West Haven, the team they lost to in the 2023 CIAC Class LL Tournament semifinals. The season-opening game on Sept. 13 is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

“As a team, I expect us to go far, play together as a team and hopefully, win states,” Minchin said.

“Our goal of course is to win a state championship,” Martin said. “We think we have the talent to do so. In order to do that, we have to give 100 percent effort and leave everything on the field.”