Cardinal Hayes High School will start the new football season as the defending champ, but the team will hit the gridiron minus a key player.

Head Coach C.J. O?Neil opened camp Monday as the Catholic League?s A Division title holder. Hayes will step up in class to the Double-A Division and do it without All-League running back Mike Allen. However, O?Neil says he?s confident quarterback Corey Watson will rise to the occasion.

Hayes opens the season against Bronx rival Cardinal Spellman.