Quarterback Vinny Costanzo and wide receiver Brett Green are forming a combination at Alma this season that’s giving opposing defenses fits galore, and coach Jeff Ingersoll likes what he sees.
“The most impressive thing about them together is the chemistry they seem to have,” Ingersoll said. “Even when Vinny’s forced to scramble…Brett is able to adjust and do whatever he needs to do to get open.”
Ingersoll also likes the way they’ve improved this season. “Brett’s a pure athlete,” he said. “He’s improved with his leaping ability and being able to come down with the ball.”
Constanzo, Ingersoll noted, “has been focused on keeping his eyes upfield. Last year, he might have literally tucked the ball and ran. This year, he’s rolling out and scrambling and is still looking up the field for a target.”
Both Costanzo and Green are second-year varsity players. “We expected big things out of them, and that’s exactly what’re getting,” Ingersoll said.
Alma started out 3-1. They’re coming off a season in which they defeated Chippewa Hills in the first round of the playoffs and advanced to the second round.
During the off-season, Constanzo worked with coach Richard Popp, a quarterback instructor. Alma’s quarterback coach, Paul Seeley, has also been a huge help, Constanzo said.
“He helped me tremendously throughout the summer,” Constanzo said. “It was all the mechanics. He completely changed my mechanics from last year. I have a way quicker release. My feet are quicker.”
“I’ve improved in reading the defenses and being able to throw the ball farther,” he said.
“We have a great offensive line this year. That’s helped out the offense a lot,” Constanzo said. “We had a good line this year. This year, we have a transfer [left tackle Curtis Doyle] from Breckenridge that’s helped a lot. We have a lot of talent and a lot of speed. Brett Green helps out a lot throwing to him. I know he’ll come down with it.
“The defense has really stepped up. In two games with Freeland and Chesaning, when the offense wasn’t able to do much, our defense shut out Chesaning and held Freeland to seven points. That was impressive.”
Constanzo notes that he has a strong rapport with his receivers.
“We run a lot of routes during the off-season,” he said. “I’m pretty good friends with all of them. They all have good hands and are smart guys. They know where to be at all times.”
Green, who also starts at safety on defense, also handles his team’s place kicking duties.
He’s been a wide receiver for six years.
“My best friend at the time was a quarterback, not Vinny. . . so I switched to receiver, ” Green explained.
This season, “if it’s a perfect day, we’ll probably run the ball,” Green said. “Vinny usually has 18 attempts passing a game. It’s always nice to have Vinny trust me to throw it up and have me go for it.”
In his first three games, Green had five touchdowns receiving, including a 60-yard touchdown reception, and one via an interception return.
“I feel like I have pretty good hands,” he said. “I run crisp routes. It’s always nice to get a long run after a catch.”
Green has also played safety for many years. His interception return was his first on the varsity.
“Getting into the end zone is always a nice thing,” he said. “Scoring points is always fun.”