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player ready...Though New Trier managed just a field goal in a 34-3 loss to Loyola on Saturday in Wilmette, Trevians sophomore quarterback Nevan Cremascoli once again showed what a deep passing threat he can become.
Cremascoli completed a 35-yard pass to senior receiver Nick Kuras and had a deep pass to senior receiver Drew Robinson kept off the stat sheet because of a pass interference call. Cremascoli also came close to completing a number of other long-range throws.
In the season-opening win against Lyons, Cremascoli’s 57-yard completion to senior receiver PJ Sitzer was one of the game’s most important plays.
After moving to Winnetka from Downers Grove over the summer, Cremascoli said he hopes it’s just a matter of time before more of those long throws turn into game-changing completions.
“It’s only my 10th week playing with these guys. Being new, and being young, it’s tough,” Cremascoli said. “But we’re working on it. Even on our time off, Kuras, Sean McNeely, Robinson and I are working together and getting a feel for each other.”
Cremascoli finished nine-for-20 passing for 132 yards and threw an interception against Loyola (1-1). But it was the 6-foot-2, 170-pound quarterback’s arm strength that really caught the eye.
“He throws a beautiful ball,” New Trier coach Brian Doll said. “He’s a big, tall, long quarterback. He’s going to be pretty special when it’s all said and done.”
Cremascoli said his arm strength has improved recently thanks to working with quarterback trainer Greg Holcomb of Next Level Athletix in the west suburbs.
“I’ve had the accuracy, but in the last two years I’ve been working with (Holcomb) more on arm strength,” said Cremascoli, who started at quarterback on the Downers Grove North sophomore team last season. “I’ve improved a lot over the summer.”
Doll also raved about Cremascoli’s poise and cerebral approach to the game.
“His composure is second to none for a kid his age,” Doll said. “It’s so easy to talk to him during a game, it’s just like having a conversation. He sees things, and he understands the game so much because he’s a student of it. I really appreciate how he’s attacking everything.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press