Nassau Division IV Preview
(12-0)
Coach: Rob Perpall
(12th season)
Key players: Sr. RB Justin Buckley (5-8, 185); Sr. OL/DL Greg Kolodinsky (6-3, 260); Sr. OL/DL Bill Papadimas (6-0, 220); Sr. RB/LB Eddie Schaller (5-10, 175); Sr. QB/S Joe Kirincic (5-11, 175); Sr. C/DL Matt Knudson (5-10, 215).
About the Vikings: A fourth county title seems likely for a team chock full of senior talent. Can they eclipse last season's 465 points? It's a possibility. Expect Buckley, Schaller and another senior running back, John Troisi, to rack up most of the touchdowns.
(7-2)
Coach: Joe Vito
(17th season)
Key players: Sr. TB/S Donte Colter (6-0, 215); Sr. OL/DL Leon Johnson (6-0, 220); Jr. FB/LB Manny Jones (6-1, 180); Sr. C/DL Matt Gabaud (5-10, 220); Jr. WR/DB Teddy Santana (5-9, 150); Sr. OL/DL Chris David (5-11, 195).
About the Rough Riders: After a surprising first-round exit in last year's playoffs, this year's team has a renewed focus. Colter is a 1,300-yard back and should get plenty of touches, but new quarterback Erin Parker is capable of tossing it around the field in the team's I-formation spread.
(4-5)
Coach: Russell Pajer
(16th season)
Key players: Sr. OT/DT Doug Draude (6-3, 300); Sr. QB Andrew Bashford (6-1, 180); Sr. RB/DB Michael Castellano (5-11, 170); Jr. RB/LB Nick Ulip (5-10, 170); Jr. TE/LB Danny McClure (6-1, 214); Jr. OT/DL Joseph Lores (5-10, 205).
About the Rocks: Castellano, who rushed for seven TDs in six games last year, couldn't be happier to run behind an All County tackle and two-time captain in Draude who anchors an otherwise inexperienced offensive line. Bashford is a two-year starting quarterback who has a strong command of the offense.
North Shore
(4-4)
Coach: Daniel Agovino
(ninth season)
Key players: Sr. QB/DB/P Denis Hickey (6-3, 195); Sr. RB/LB Nick Capparelli (6-1, 185); Sr. RB/DE Evan Vandoros (5-10, 195); Sr. OL/DL Zach Winslow (6-0, 205); Sr. OL/DL Joe Manzione (6-2, 235); Sr. RB/DB Steven Ragusa (5-7, 135).
About the Vikings: A move back down to Conference IV should benefit them. Pro-style offense has size and speed and Hickey is a natural passer. The running game features two bruisers in Capparelli and Vandoros and a speedster in Ragusa. Defense must improve.
(7-4)
Coach: Joe Knoll
(fifth season)
Key players: Sr. RB/LB Frank Vezza (5-10, 195); Sr. OL/DL Phil Miranda (6-1, 257); Sr. OL/LB J.R. Medina (5-11, 200); Sr. RB/DB Alex Minicozzi (5-10, 150); Sr. WR/DB Willie Mitry (6-0, 160); Sr. OL/DL Sam Casella (5-9, 185).
About the Colts: New faces litter the roster of the defending county finalists. Overall team speed is the strength, so expect plenty of points from the power-I attack. Vezza and Minicozzi are a potent "Thunder and Lightning" combo out of the backfield.
Clarke
(4-6)
Coach: John Boyle (24th season)
Key players: Sr. OL/DL Bill Ruland (6-3, 280); Jr. QB Mike Martiello (6-0, 185); Sr. FB/LB Brandon Abbott (6-0, 180); Sr. OL/LB Sean Byrne (6-1, 225); Sr. WR/FS Justin Ragusa (5-9, 150); Sr. HB/DB Mike Aloisio (5-11, 180).
About the Rams: They've undergone a complete overhaul in the backfield but believe an eighth straight playoff appearance is likely behind a talented offensive line led by Ruland. Abbott and Byrne will be relied upon heavily to make plays on defense, an area they struggled in 2009.
(5-5)
Coach: Michael Spina (16th season)
Key players: So. TB/CB Ronell Jones (5-8, 150); Sr. QB/CB Casey Giarratana (5-10, 170); Jr. OG/LB Michael Tangredi (5-11, 190); Sr. RB/DB/K Chris Jimenez (5-10, 170); Sr. FL/DB Amir Lott (6-1, 160); Sr. OL/DL Brian Burrows (6-0, 205).
About the Knights: They're an extremely young team, as five sophomores are likely to start, including Jones, who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. Tangredi forced three turnovers on defense last year, while Jimenez is a solid ballcarrier and kicker. Giarratana missed time last year, but is an able signal-caller.
(3-6)
Coach: Kito Lockwood (second season)
Key players: Sr. RB/DB Corey Alexander (5-10, 170); Sr. OL/DL Willis Cheatham (6-3, 245); Sr. OL/DL Max Fequiere (6-2, 240); Sr. WR/DB Tommie Hill Jr. (6-0, 165); Sr. WR/DB Quintrel Chambers (6-0, 170); Sr. RB/DB Drake Taylor (5-8, 160).
About the Mules: Alexander, who rushed for 550 yards and seven touchdowns last year, should see most of the touches on offense. The strength of the team, however, is its 4-4 defense, especially Cheatham and Fequiere up front. Michael Lucchese, a 290-pound junior, joins them as a run stopper.
Island Trees
(5-4)
Coach: Michael Bonsignore (third season)
Key players: Sr. RB/LB Dave Grecsek (5-9, 165); Sr. RB/DB Brian Graziano (5-9, 150); Jr. QB/DB Kyle Nigro (6-1, 190); Jr. RB/LB Chris Pascalli (6-1, 155); Sr. WR/DB Peter Tucci (6-3, 160); Sr. OL/DL Joe Manna (6-2, 255).
About the Bulldogs: Bonsignore is using a large stable of skill players to keep the team fresh late in games, which was a problem at times last season. Graziano returns from injury and should provide a spark, and Nigro will get his first full season under center. The secondary should force plenty of turnovers.
Cold Spring
Harbor
(3-5)
Coach: Dennis Bonn (sixth season)
Key players: Sr. OG/ILB Peter Swiggett (6-0, 210); Sr. RB/OLB Chris Moriarty (5-11, 190); Sr. OG-FB/DE Tommy Appel (5-11, 195); Sr. C/DT Spencer Kramer (6-0, 240); Jr. QB-RB/SS Kevin Porzelt (6-0, 180).
About the Seahawks: They're an experienced group, led by a three-year starter and two-year captain in Swiggett, a tackling machine on defense. Porzelt played six games at tight end last year before moving to tailback, where he amassed 241 yards in two games. He will get some snaps behind center as well for a team that scored only 54 points in 2009.
North
(4-4)
Coach: Tom Schiavo (13th season)
Key players: Sr. OL/DL James Athan (6-5, 300); Sr. OL/DL Javier Estevez (6-2, 260); Sr. OL/DL Will Hunter (5-10, 290); Sr. OL/DL Mike Persico (6-1, 180); Jr. OL/LB Kendel Levy (5-10, 250); Sr. OL/DL Pat Canny (6-2, 290).
About the Spartans: The strength of the team is up front, as the line averages nearly 270 pounds. Skill position players are all inexperienced, including starting quarterback Anthony Cobucci, who will lead the team's spread attack. Rich Staco will get most of the carries.
(3-5)
Coach: Dan Guido (24th season)
Key players: Sr. OG/DT Mike Ianelli (6-0, 260); Sr. OG/DT Mike Cerqueira (6-1, 270); Jr. OT/DE Bruno Ferreira (6-4, 235); Jr. TE/LB Nico Pantelides (6-2, 195); Sr. WR/DB Ryan Mehra (5-9, 155); Sr. RB/LB Steve O'Connor (5-7, 160).
About the Mustangs: Though athletic, they'll rely on a bevy of underclassmen. Good size up front in the 4-3 defense, but skill players are the question mark. O'Connor is a small back, but shifty, while Mehra is a down-the-field threat.
(3-5)
Coach: Jeff Schiereck (eighth season)
Key players: Sr. OL/DL Chris Kelly (6-0, 230); Sr. RB/DB Israel Gomez (5-6, 135); Jr. QB/DB Steven O'Neill (6-0, 175); Jr. RB/LB Rob Morgan (5-10, 160); Sr. RB/DL Nick Eckert (5-11, 215); Sr. OL/DL Tyler Comack (6-0, 200).
About the Baymen: They've got running backs in all sizes - small (Gomez), medium (Morgan) and large (Eckert). After putting up only 85 points last season, they hope all of them can find the end zone a few times this year. O'Neill will get things done through the air.
Friends
Academy
(0-8, didn't field a team last season)
Coach: Ron Baskind (23rd season)
Key players:
About the Quakers:
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
