Amityville back in Division IV, watch out

Amityville returns to Suffolk Division IV after a one-year absence. The Warriors played in Division III last season and enter the season as the No. 1 seed. In two of the last three seasons the Warriors played in Division IV, they won county championships.

The Warriors are in good position to win it again with two of the best players on the Island in running back Da'rell Hatcher and wide receiver Willie White.

Glenn is coming off a Long Island championship and the best record in program history at 12-0. The Knights are 32-2 the last three seasons and appeared in three consecutive championship games.

Babylon is a perennial contender with 18 consecutive years in the semifinals, including 14 of the last 15.

Mount Sinai always finds a way to be in the mix with six straight semifinal appearances and nine out of the last 10.

1. AMITYVILLE (4-5)

Coach: Chris Taylor (seventh season).

KEY PLAYERS: Da'rell Hatcher RB/LB (6-0, 200), Sr.; Willie White WR/DB (5-10, 170), Sr.; Adonis Green OL/DL (5-10, 230), SR.; Jordan Myers OL/DL (6-2, 290), Sr.; Justin Childs OL/DL (6-3, 270), Sr.; Daniel Parks OL/DL (5-10, 215), Sr. 

ABOUT THE WARRIORS: The passing game will be improved with sophomore QB Sean Walters in his second season as starter. The Warriors have size and speed. Hatcher rushed for 1,150 yards last season and White (520 rushing yards, 442 receiving yards and six INTs) is a versatile athlete.

2. GLENN (12-0) 

COACH: Dave Shanahan (17th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Rich Czeczotka QB/DB (6-3, 215), Sr.; Nick Wagner WR/DB (5-11, 180), Sr.; Mike Diesu OL/LB (6-1, 210), Sr.; Jon Mannix WR/LB (6-3, 225), Sr.; Kevin Dixon OL/DL (6-5, 235), Sr.; LaMeek Jarvis WR/DB (5-10, 175), Sr.

ABOUT THE KNIGHTS: Glenn was the only undefeated team on Long Island last season en route to winning the L.I. Class IV championship. Glenn has a really good group of skilled running backs and wide receivers who will make it tough on defenses.

3. BABYLON (8-3)

COACH: Rick Punzone (ninth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Zach Fredericks QB/DB (6-0, 180), Sr.; Ryan Visgauss OL/DL (6-1, 210), Sr.; Harrison Dittmeier OL/DL (6-1, 250), Sr.; Nahari Jenkins RB/DB (6-1, 190), Sr.; Greg Dieterich TE/LB (6-1, 205), Sr.; John Dertinger OL/DL (6-1, 300), Jr. 

ABOUT THE PANTHERS: Babylon has a very big, strong, and physical offensive line with a very athletic QB in Fredericks, who can run and throw. The Panthers have appeared in 14 of the last 15 finals.

4. MOUNT SINAI (7-3)

COACH: Vin Ammirato (13th season). 

KEY PLAYERS: Austin Kay QB (6-3, 205), Sr.; Pat Hogan FB/WR (6-3, 195), Sr.; Ryan Clark OL/DL (6-3, 255), Jr.; Jake Tabile OL/DL (6-1, 245), Sr.; Mike Donadio RB/DB, (5-11, 180), Jr.; Mark Donadio RB/DB (5-11, 180), Jr.

ABOUT THE MUSTANGS: Expect the Mustangs to pass more with experience at QB and WR. Kay, a three-year starter, completed 74 percent of his passes last season, and Hogan, also a three-year starter, led the team in receptions in 2010. The Mustangs also have a lot of speed.

5. BAYPORT-BLUE POINT (7-3)

COACH: Eric Iberger (eighth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Brian White QB/DB (6-1, 185), Sr.; Josh Shaw RB/DB (5-8, 175), Sr.; Derek White OL/LB (5-10, 185), Sr.; Joe Malia RB/LB (5-7, 165), Sr.; Tom Fucarino OL/DL (6-3, 265), Sr.

ABOUT THE PHANTOMS: The team graduated 21 players, but has a lot of athletic players at the skill positions. Look for the Phantoms to spread the ball out more this season. They are young and inexperienced, but there is a lot of potential.

6. GREENPORT/SOUTHOLD (5-4)

COACH: Jack Martilotta (second season). 

KEY PLAYERS: Ryan Malone RB/DB (5-10, 170), Sr.; LB Tom Filipkowski LB (5-10, 180), Jr.; Chris Shante (6-0, 210) OL/DL, Sr.; Mark Proferes OL/DL (6-1, 220), Jr.; Frank Sierra FB/DL (5-10, 180), So.; Mike Partridge DL (5-11, 210), Jr.

ABOUT THE PORTERS: The Porters hope to win a playoff game this season. The schedule is difficult as a sixth seed and the team is young.

7. PORT JEFFERSON (4-4)

COACH: Jeff Koutsantanou (first season).

KEY PLAYERS: Dan Serignese QB (6-2, 175), Sr.; Dylan Ernst RB (6-1, 185), Sr.; Phil Lanieri RB/DB (6-1, 180), Sr.; Brett Ruggero OL/DL (5-11, 225), Sr.; Ryan Woodward FB/LB (5-11, 205), So.; Connor Guerin OL/DL (6-3, 225), Jr.

ABOUT THE ROYALS: They have a strong senior class and a very aggressive, attacking defense. After losing in the playoffs last season, the goal is to win a postseason game.

8. HAMPTON BAYS (4-4)

COACH: Michael Oestreicher (eighth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Andrew Morris FB/LB (6-1, 190), Sr.; Juan Ramirez RB (5-7, 175), Sr.; Michael Ponesse OL/LB (5-9, 205), Sr.; John Capuano OL (5-10, 195), Sr.; Eddie Perez OL/DL (5-9, 255), Jr.; Lukasz Sokol OL/DL (6-2, 215), Jr.

ABOUT THE BAYMEN: Hampton Bays made consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1987-88. The Baymen hope to win a playoff game for the first time since 1984. The team has experience and depth at multiple positions. Morris is one of the top players in the division and had 62 tackles last season, including 19 for losses.

9. CENTER MORICHES (3-5)

COACH: Steve Failla (fifth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Myles Bell RB/DB (6-0, 180), Sr.; Patrick Teich RB/LB (6-1, 225), Sr.; Jeff Foster QB/LB (5-11, 175), Sr.; Chris Brady OL/DL (6-1, 240), Sr.; Ryan Lewis OL/LB (6-0, 225), Jr.; Ray Strebel OL/DL (6-3, 230), Jr.

ABOUT THE RED DEVILS: Center Moriches made the playoffs for the second consecutive season and return a solid group of skill players and eight starting defensive players. Bell (nine TDs) returns to lead the offense and Teich (64 tackles) and Lewis (69 tackles) anchor the defense.

10. SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER (0-8)

COACH: Matt Millheiser (second season).

KEY PLAYERS: Dylan Bates RB/DE (5-11, 210), Sr.; Joe Longo FB/DE (5-10, 185), Sr.; Dylan Gorman OL/LB (5-10, 205), Sr.; Mike Savino OL/LB (5-10, 195), Sr.; Jason Ambrosini OL/DL (5-9, 220), Jr.; Frank Sessa FB/DL (5-8, 215), Sr.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS: The Wildcats are strong in the backfield, so the running game will be a point of emphasis. That should help them control the pace of the game and if the defense is solid, the program can take a step forward.

11. SOUTHAMPTON (3-5)

COACH: Darren Phillips (eighth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Malcolm Williams OL/DL (6-4, 285), Sr.; Teague Florio QB/DB (5-11, 170), Sr.; John Donovan WR/DB (6-2, 180), Sr.; Sean Barylski RB/LB (5-9, 160), Sr.; Vincent Gulli OL/DL (5-10, 180), Sr.; Collin McNamara OL/LB (5-11, 215), Sr. 

ABOUT THE MARINERS: The Mariners lost three games by less than a touchdown last season and return some good players. The offensive and defensive lines are very strong. Need to stay healthy because depth is an issue.

12. MERCY (2-6)

COACH: Jeff Doroski (first season).

KEY PLAYERS: Patrick Stepnoski RB/LB (6-0, 205), Sr.; Keith Schroeher QB/DB (5-10, 175), Sr.; Bernie Schrage TE/LB (6-1, 185), Sr.; Anthony Heppner OL/DL (6-3, 260), Sr.; Ray Ellis OL/DL (6-0, 250), Jr.; Jack Strnad OL/DL (5-10, 240), Jr.

ABOUT THE MONARCHS: The offensive line is strong and Stepnoski leads a powerful running attack. The three-year starter led the team in rushing and receiving last season. The passing game will be improved with Schroeher in his third year as the starting QB.

13. WYANDANCH (1-7)

COACH: Fitz McKinnon (fourth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Tyquan Maddox OL/LB (5-9, 220), Jr.; Damon Daniels WR/LB (5-11, 165), Jr.; Arthur Flowers WR/DB (5-7, 145), Jr.; Daquan Brown OL/DL (5-10, 225), Jr.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS: The Warriors are composed of mostly juniors. There is some experience, though, and the goal is to improve on last season.

14. STONY BROOK (0-8)

COACH: Kris Ryan (second season).

KEY PLAYERS: Donnie Liotine RB/DB (5-9, 175), Jr.; Jerome Washington TE/DE (6-4, 240), Jr.; Marco Masakayan QB/CB (5-10, 155), Jr.; Jake Harrington OL/DL (6-0, 220), Jr.; Spencer Cannon OL/DL (6-2, 225), Jr.

ABOUT THE BEARS: Team speed and added maturity are strengths for the Bears, who struggled last season as a young team.