Fenwick football coach Joe DiCanio’s first sentence during a preseason interview last week about the 2008 Friars said it all, “Depth is a luxury for us this time around.”

DiCanio said he’s carrying 72 players this year, including a slew of returning starters from a team that finished a respectable 5-4 last year and made it into the Class 7A playoffs.

“The program is really starting to mature again,” said DiCanio, now entering his fifth year. “The numbers have been up and the tradition is being handed down.”

This season’s success will likely rest on the shoulders of returning starters Greg Killingsworth, Jack Dittmer,
Austin Brown, Robert Fulton, and Alex Furth.

Killingsworth (6-foot, 190 pounds) returns with plenty of experience. The senior started in four games last year and rushed for nearly 400 yards and seven touchdowns behind the departed Colin Tobin. Dittmer is expected to be one of the top five juniors in the state. The 6-3, 240-pounder will play defensive end alongside Fulton, another big body at defensive tackle-6-2, 240 pounds.

Austin Brown will anchor the defense. The 6-2, 210-pound senior returns to the linebacker position. Other seniors returning on defense for the Friars include defensive end Don Cundari (6-3, 225), free safety Mike Rosemeyer (6-foot, 190), strong safety Quintin Wright (5-10, 170), cornerback James Honan (5-9, 170) and Connor Caldicott (5-8, 170).

Along with Killingworth, who will be part of a running back rotation that will include juniors Mike Ember and Bret Strzelczyk, Fenwick returns Emilio Alcaraz, Nate Welch, Jon Osterhaut, Joe Musso, and Art Sundry to the offense. Alcaraz (6-3, 270), Welch (6-4, 280) and Osterhaut (6-4, 290) will be called upon to hold off defenses. Sundry returns at wide receiver, while Musso will see time at running back.

“We’re much bigger and much stronger than we were a year ago, that’s for sure,” said DiCanio. “Now, whether or not that will translate to wins, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

As of this writing, DiCanio had not decided on a permanent quarterback. Senior Dominic Campagna (6-1, 170) and junior Joe Romano (5-6, 150) were vying for the job.

“Both quarterbacks bring a certain type of moxie,” said DiCanio. “Joe brings his intelligence. He’s a 4.2 GPA student, a real bright kid. Dominic brings experience; he played a little bit last season until an injury sidelined him.”

Newcomers expected to make a significant impact this season include defensive tackle Glen Sommers (6-2, 240) and linebackers Mark Donatelli (6-2, 210) and James Gancer (6-2 200), the grandson of former Fenwick and Notre Dame football star Johnny Lattner.

The Friars, who finished second in the Chicago Catholic (White Division) League last season with a 3-1 mark, should be in contention for the top spot in the division. De La Salle, last year’s champs, Bishop McNamara and St. Laurence are also in the running.

“This team has the ability to do special things,” said DiCanio. “If it’s a 9-0 season it will be great, or if we go 0-9 it will be great. I just like the general makeup of this team. Our main focus right now is the first game of the season. We need to get that first win so we’re not chasing the eight ball all year long.”

The Friars kick-off the season against Lane Tech at Soldier Field on Saturday (1 p.m.).