Quarterbacks lead Titans to brink of title

By Matt Nestor
Sporst Columnist

Boylan senior Frank Cimino is listed as the starting quarterback. And a quick glance at his stats may make you wonder just how good he is.

Junior Lamont Toney is listed as the backup quarterback. A quick look at his stats may make you think Boylan played in a lot of blowouts and he got some garbage stats.

If you combine their stats into one quarterback, all of a sudden, it looks like you have one of the best quarterbacks in the state. And the key to Boylan making it all the way to the state title is their ability to turn themselves into one good quarterback.

“It really takes someone who is willing to shove their ego and set it aside to be the best they can be for the team,” Boylan Head Coach Dan Appino said. Both players have played at a high level all season as well. In a system where they rotate almost every play, neither player has seen a drop in production.

It is rare for two-quarterback systems to work so smoothly. But both players have thrived in the system to the point where there has not been one game where the coaching staff has felt the need to lean on one or the other in a tough stretch.

The Titans’ semifinal game was a perfect example of how well the system has worked. Both players threw five passes, combining to go 8-10 for 100 yards and rushing for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Both players are talented and tough. Cimino is a natural leader who is tough to bring down, while Toney is an immensely talented player who has progressed with his reads each week.

“Lamont is a really gifted athlete,” Appino said. “The stereotype is that he is just a player who can run, but he throws the ball very well. It’s just a matter of learning the offense. Cimino has been a great help to him and mentored him. They have both really improved as the season has gone on.”