PENDLETON — Starpoint enters the season undergoing significant changes.
The Spartans (4-5 overall, 3-2 Class A2 in 2024) moved into Class B1 this year. They have significant roster turnover, with 14 players from its 2024 roster graduating back in June.
And, they have a new head coach. After 10 seasons as the Spartans’ offensive coordinator, Jay Baumann takes the reins from long-time coach Tim Racey this season.
“This is kind of a dream come true,” he said Thursday during practice.
Among key losses to the roster are A.J. Anselm, Joe Richardson, William Bichler, Brody Saunders and Lucas Lombardo. The team also said goodbye to Mike Grady, the starting quarterback in 2024. But already waiting in the wings last fall to inherit that position was sophomore David Chase, who threw 26 completions in 65 attempts for 412 yards and three touchdowns as a backup.
During practice, Chase was hitting his targets with precise throws. Entering his junior year, he has gained confidence.
“The energy is really high,” he said. “All the boys are living it up right now. We’re just having a great time.”
“Our first goal was to ensure that Dave felt like he was comfortable in the pocket. So all summer long, we’ve been working and working, and he’s really developed,” added Baumann.
Among the others seen as leaders this season is senior Frank Buttitta. On offense, he had only seven carries last year, but that was among a deep group of rushers, most of whom were seniors. He’s expected to get many more looks on offense this season, and his coach suggests he’ll also be a leader on defense.
“Frank’s going to be our shutdown corner. He’s our number one. He’s very coachable on the defensive side,” said Baumann, who also named senior Brady Crissman and junior Victor Collins as players to watch. Like Chase, Collins already showed signs of promise last season as a sophomore.
“(Collins) played primarily defense. He’s going to be one of our rocks that we count on. He’s going to be a great player for us defensively, but also he’s going to carry the ball for us as well,” Baumann said.
Spencer Argentieri’s size will help the Spartans on the line. Last year, he was among several Starpoint standouts named to the Class A2 First Team. Additionally, Keanu Laughton has been brought up to the varsity squad as a sophomore, and is anticipated to be a developing two-way player.
The Spartans’ first half of the 2024 season showed great promise, with four wins in their first five games. Then the wheels fell off, and the team dropped its next four games, including a Sectionals loss to Clarence.
Upon taking the position of head coach, Baumann spent time studying leadership and what goes into it. A theme he and the team have adopted for the 2025 season is “extreme ownership.”
“There’s a reason why we go by that,” the coach said. “Last year’s group, we kind of fell apart towards the end. We started pointing some fingers a little bit, rather than pulling the thumb and looking inside. But right now, we’re trying to kill all that. We’re trying to make sure that we are positive with our teammates, and just ensuring that we come in to be ready to go.”
That positivity is apparent.
“The younger guys are really stepping up, doing their job and practice and on and off the field as well. They’re great guys and we just really bond well as a team,” Chase said. “We’ve got some young guys really putting out their best effort.”
Joining Baumann’s coaching staff this season is former Starpoint and University at Buffalo player Aaron Chase, David’s older brother, who served as the quarterback coach. Baumann explained Aaron Chase was his first call when building the staff, and his relationship with his younger brother has helped the latter further develop at the position.
Younger brother David agrees.
“Having Aaron around is great,” he said. “He’s a really good coach, and I’ve learned a bunch of new things and, you know, he’s great at what he does, and just great to have around.”