Naples football preview capsules
Naples Wildcats
Head coach: Steve Altstiel
Last year: 4-2, lost to International School of Brussels 34-16 in D-II quarterfinals
Key games: Sept. 29 at Aviano, Oct. 13 at Vicenza, Oct. 20 vs. Ansbach
New coach Steve Altstiel inherits plenty of speed in his first season at the Wildcats’ helm, part of it the form of 2011 all-star quarterback Joseph Pitts. Other starters coming back for Naples, Altstiel wrote in an email, are the speed trio of Kyle Baldree, Tyler Williams, and Khalin Hudson and linemen Zane Zimmermann, Brian Pfirrman, Makua Camarao, David Arreguin, and Nathan Cairns.
Altstiel also sees a growth factor among the returnees.
“Many of these young men have grown into their own skin,” he emailed, “(and) thus have developed both mentally and physically. Some have showed tremendous positive changes from last year.”
Also positive is a schedule which treats the Wildcats relatively kindly. Naples is faced with two long bus rides up the Italian peninsula to play at Aviano and Vicenza, but gets tough-nut Ansbach at home on Oct. 20, most likely with a home semifinal berth at stake.
2012 schedule
(x-non-conference game)
Sept. 15: Hohenfels
Sept. 22: International School of Brussels-x
Sept. 29: at Aviano (no JV)
Oct. 6: Schweinfurt-x
Oct. 13: at Vicenza (no JV)
Oct. 20: Ansbach
