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JOE KNOWS: Father-son combo can lead Bishop Ford to big season

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See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Bishop Ford football coach Jim Esposito told James that their relationship would be different on the field even before his son put on a Falcons’ uniform.

During football they were coach and player — not father and son.

“We stuck to that,” Jim Esposito said.

Their dynamic has intensified as Ford embarks on a season with high hopes and featuring its most talented roster in recent years. Esposito and his son are now head coach and the senior starting varsity quarterback trying lead the team together.

The two described the transition as smooth because Jim Esposito worked with his son as the junior varsity starter and the varsity backup. They understand an increased role means increased expectations and demands. James has handled it all well so far.

“It’s been a lot easier than I thought it would be,” Jim Esposito said. “The main reason for that is he can take criticism as good as anybody.”

That’s because James Esposito, an accurate pocket passer, has been groomed for this opportunity since he was a freshman. He waited his turn playing behind three-year starter Xaviah Mattocks — but like any kid, not always happily. He said there were times last year where he would bug his dad about putting him in certain spots where he thought he could have helped the team. Now the squad is all his.

They do admit to having one advantage over most coach-quarterback combinations in the Catholic High School Football League. James Esposito can ask his dad questions at home and they often go over the offense scripts and schemes together. It has led to a greater comprehension of the attack.

“Him being at home makes it a lot easier to understand the playbook,” James Esposito said. “Not a lot of kids can’t go to their head coach in their home and say, ‘what do I have to do on this play and this play?’ ”

He said the players around him have also eased the transition. Ford returns senior star running back Dante Aiken, tight end Rodney Gonzalez, receiver Malik Warner, and features a massive offensive line led by Walter Ferdinand. Rolando Ellis and Quamari McAllister are back in the secondary for a team that went 5–4 last season. These Falcons have their sights set on making the Class AA playoffs after two straight Class A titles.

“It’s pretty easy to be a quarterback when you are surrounded by such talent,” James Esposito said.

Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.

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