It took a little while for Oswego East quarterback Niko Villacci to get comfortable last season.
“As a sophomore playing varsity, it’s very fast,” Villacci said. “It’s hard to get used to that, especially going from freshman to varsity.”
Villacci, however, learned on the job for Oswego East. And he’s hoping to turn those lessons into wins this time around after the Wolves went 3-6 to break a playoff run that stretched to 2014.
Inspired by that ending, Villacci is ready to get things back to the gold standard for the Wolves, who check in at No. 9 in The Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
“With a year of experience under my belt, I feel a lot more comfortable,” Villacci said. “It’s kind of weird because when I was little, (former Oswego East quarterback) Tre Jones, I always kind of admired him. Now, I’m in that position. It’s kind of surreal.”
Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc is confident the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Villacci, a two-sport star who’s also a standout baseball player, is ready for the spotlight.
“Niko has done a really good job this summer,” LeBlanc said. “It was tough for him to be a leader last year, being a sophomore on the varsity. He’s really done a great job with his leadership, just getting guys together in the offseason.”
One of those guys is fellow junior Lincoln Ijams, a junior receiver who is neighbors with Villacci. They’ve played together since they were children, so he knows Villacci better than anybody on the team.
“I’ve always had a connection with him,” Ijams said. “I feel like his arm power and decision-making is way better than last year. I can see a lot of improvement.
“It’s been nice to see. I’m very excited. It’s going to be fun.”
LeBlanc said the Wolves strive to balance the run and pass on offense. What he has seen from Villacci and Co. during the offseason, though, may tilt that approach more toward the pass.
“We’d definitely like to throw the ball more,” LeBlanc said. “His arm talent is special. You watch him throw, and baseball is his No. 1 sport. You see some of that when he’s throwing the football.
“Last year, he had a lot of that ‘backyard’ in him. Now, he’s gotten to the point where he understands the system a little bit better and he’s getting the ball out more on time. There’s growth where you’d expect there to be growth.”
That’s music to the ears of Ijams, who is ready to show what he can do this season.
“Last year was really frustrating,” Ijams said. “I didn’t get many targets because we didn’t throw the ball that much. From what I’ve seen so far, it looks like we’re really going to open it up.”
They will have to do it behind a brand new offensive line. Hulking tackles Zac Clarke and Tim Savchuk are among those who graduated. Two-way seniors Blaise Chin and Zach Morrisroe, along with junior Connor Griffin, anchor the new-look line.
“That was my biggest concern because those are the guys that protect me,” Villacci said. “Last year, we had a really good O-line. It’s surprised me how well they’re coming along this year.
“I try to get close with them. I’ve gotten them donuts a couple times, so they love that. I feel really good about it.”
That’s part of that new leadership role Villacci has adopted. Keeping his offensive line happy will go a long way toward making his life easier.
Now that he’s established on varsity, he’s ready to progress even further.
“I definitely understand the game more,” Villacci said. “Everything slows down.
“Ever since I was little I always wanted to be on varsity with all of my friends. Last year we were kind of there, but this year is the first year where we can really just go get it.”
Team: Oswego East.
2023 record: 3-6.
Offensive leaders: Lincoln Ijams, junior, wide receiver; TJ Stamatis, senior, wide receiver; Niko Villacci, junior, quarterback; Jasiah Watson, junior, running back.
Defensive leaders: Jake Boissiere, senior, outside linebacker; Blaise Chin, senior, defensive lineman; Zach Morrisroe, senior, defensive lineman; Andrew Pohlman, senior, defensive back.
X-factor: Nigel Grisby, senior, defensive back.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
