Christian Brothers Academy football's defensive line has been 'dominant all year'

The CBA football team runs through drills during a practice on Thursday ahead of Saturday's Section 2 Class AA Super Bowl. (Jim Franco/Times Union) COLONIE - With so many star players on its defense, it's possible to overlook the Christian Brothers Academy defensive line.To do so, though, would be a huge mistake.In the Brothers' 3-4 defensive alignment, the front trio has caused nonstop problems for opposing offenses this season."We aim to not just make tackles, but to make plays," senior defensive end Nic Mello said. "With our linebackers and our safeties, we know they have our backs. We make sure we do our job."CBA's entire starting secondary is made up of Division I-caliber players and Michael Berben leads a hard-hitting crew of senior linebackers. In front of those players, the two constants have been senior nose guard George Karame and Mello, while senior Caden George and junior Gavin Potter have taken turns at the defensive end opposite of Mello. No matter which three happen to be on the field for CBA, five-man offensive lines have struggled to deal with them."There are three people going against five. We have to try our best to do our jobs, succeed and be better than the guys across from us," Karame said. "In the summer, the workouts were crazy. It has brought us to a place where the three of us can disrupt six guys at one time."CBA (10-0), ranked No. 3 in the state, takes on 11th-ranked Saratoga Springs (9-1) on Saturday for the Section 2 Class AA championship. A year ago, the Blue Streaks upset the Brothers 14-13 and advanced to the state title game."From the day we lost, I have used that as motivation," said George, who also starts at right tackle on offense."I had a lot of anger built up from last year, losing to them," Potter said. "We are going to use it in this game."Last week, Saratoga Springs senior quarterback Bobby Morris rushed for a career-best 174 yards and three touchdowns. That, along with last year's Super Bowl result, has CBA's attention."As good as our secondary has been, our line has been just as dominant all year," CBA coach Bobby Burns said this week. "They have been dominant all year and they haven't had to play that much. (Morris) has been running the ball more. This week, they are going to have to give it to me.""It is an important part of our game. We have to hold our gap and know the linebackers are going to make plays for us," Potter said. "I have to make sure I keep my guy handled and the others have to do their part. I think people do underestimate us because of how many people we have on the line. I think we have showed people what we've got."CBA posted its fifth shutout of the season with a 42-0 semifinal win last week against Shenendehowa. Overall, the Brothers have outscored their opponents 533-64. "I think teams don't think two D-ends and a nose guard can do that much," George said. "I think we do our jobs pretty well."The defensive line not only engages in blocks to allow the linebackers to make plays, it has also disrupted opposing blocking schemes, provided ample pressure and won its share of battles against double-team tactics.Karame, who stands 6-foot and weighs 278 pounds, also starts at left tackle on offense. He shifted to nose guard this season after Mello started at the position the past three seasons."(Karame) is the difference," Burns said. "He is sneaky athletic for a kid his size. He has a great get-off. He is physical. … He has been as dominant as any nose guard I've had and we are going to need him to do that for the next four weeks to get to the point we want to get to (in the state final). His explosiveness is second to none. He has great hands and great feet, too. When you play an odd front, your nose guard had better be good. He's been really good for us.""Playing both ways is great," Karame said. "Playing alongside these guys, it is the best feeling I can ever feel."In addition to his work at defensive end, Mello (6-foot-1, 255 pounds) became a starter at right offensive guard midway through the season. Saturday's game will be his 48th contest as a starter on defense for the Brothers."I am just glad I have been able to contribute to the team," Mello said. "I am glad I've been able to help out on more than just one side.""He has so much experience," Burns said. "Nic's physicality has meant a lot."Burns said the Brothers originally viewed Potter as an outside linebacker before he moved to the line. "He is a tough kid and is very coachable. Gavin has had a really good year," Burns said.Potter also plays tight end for the Brothers, and caught a trio of touchdowns in the first quarter of the team's season-opening win against Archbishop Stepinac."I love the game. I try to work my hardest and do my job on both sides," Potter said.George, who previously played at Colonie, has been a three-year starter at offensive tackle for the Brothers. Potter is now starting at defensive end and George is spelling him. The senior also plays varsity lacrosse for the Brothers.After losing by a single point in the 2024 state championship game, last year's defeat in the sectional final was a stinging close to the Brothers' 2025 campaign. CBA vowed to be back in the title game this year, and now ends up getting to play the same opponent as a year ago."Looking back at last year, it was a stab in the heart," Karame said. "Coming back to the same place, at the same time and against the same team, it is going to be different this year. "There is going to be a different outcome, for sure."SubscribeThere’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Christian Brothers Academy football's defensive line has been 'dominant all year'.