Amherst hopes to turn football program around with family culture

It’s no secret that the Amherst Steele football program has struggled since the 2012 season.

With new leadership, however, the Comets are hoping to turn things around in 2017.

Mike Passerrello is now at the helm of the Steele program, in the district where he has taught for the last 15 years.

Passerrello left his head coaching gig at Firelands in order to accept the Amherst position. While head coach of the Falcons, Passerello accumulated a 34-28 record over the last seven seasons. He replaced Bill Fishleigh at Amherst, who recorded a 5-25 record over the previous three years.

In taking over the program, Passerrello said his goal is to change the culture to try and bring Amherst back to the top of the Southwestern Conference.

“We definitely have instilled a lot of team concepts, family concepts of sticking together, playing for each other,” Passerrello said.

“Constant reminders of you’re not there for yourself, and bringing that culture, because you know, it is a team game.”

While Passerrello tries to change the culture, he will also have the benefit of some top-notch talent.

Junior Khennedy Scagliozzo is likely going to get a majority of the carries for the Comets this season. The 5’9″ running back is one of six returning offensive starters for Amherst.

“He could be a special one, and we’re looking forward to seeing him run the ball,” Passerello said on the WEOL 2017 Lorain County Football Preview Show.

Other notable returners include three-year starter and captain Matt Lee at center, and seniors Evan Shawver and Devin Holmes at wide receiver. Aaron Gonzalez and Joey Tomaro will also see plenty of touches for the Comets.

When it comes to the quarterback position, things are still undecided. Senior Hunter Cassidy and junior Matt Fairchild are competing for the Week 1 starting job against the Clearview Clippers.

Defensively, the Comets will also rely on Lee, as well as Nathan Soto at linebacker, and Hunter Parker at the safety position.

Passerello knows the Southwestern Conference is, without a doubt, one of the toughest in the area. He’s hoping that the culture he’s worked to established, combined with aspects of his old Firelands system, will start the Comets off with some key wins and lead to success down the line.

“Because it’s our first year, Week 1 is so important to start off on the right foot to build that confidence,” Passerello said. “As we move into the SWC within that first five games, our goal is to have a winning record during that first five and split the season in half.”

Mike Passerrello @SteeleComets talks about schedule and getting off to a good start for the Comets in 2017 #locofootball pic.twitter.com/yBZlowWsnn

— NEO Sports Insiders (@NEOSportsInside) August 15, 2017

Mike Passerrello @SteeleComets talks about key players for the Comets in 2017 #locofootball pic.twitter.com/pF5LY6L2fw

— NEO Sports Insiders (@NEOSportsInside) August 15, 2017

***You can listen to Passerrello’s entire interview with WEOL here. Below is Amherst’s entire regular season schedule

2017 Amherst Comets Schedule

8/25 Clearview High School

9/1 @ Lakewood High School

9/8 North Ridgeville High School

9/15 @ Midview High School

9/22 @ Berea-Midpark High School

9/29 Olmsted Falls High School

10/6 @ Avon Lake High School

10/13 North Olmsted High School

10/20 @ Avon High School

10/27 Westlake High School