CHSFL team previews 2016
St. John the Baptist's Jacob Woods and teammates participate in football practice on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Chaminade Flyers
2015 record: 0-9
Coach: Kevin Dolan, first season
Key Players
Matthew Chmil, QB, 6-1, 185 Sr.
Frank Tangredi, RB, 5-10, 185 Sr.
James Errante, LB, 6-0, 205 Sr.
Luke Pacher, DE, 6-3, 190 Sr.
Dominic Doria, WR, 6-3, 190 Sr.
About the Flyers: After a disappointing 2015 season, Chaminade will look to their new head coach to get the team back on track. Dolan, who is in his 27th year of coaching, was the head coach at New Hyde Park for the past 16 years.
St. Anthony's Friars
2015 record: 7-3
Coach: Rich Reichert, 30th season
Keys Players
Dan Lord, DL, 6-5, 235 Sr.
Charles Barsella, MLB, 6-2, 222 Sr.
Andrew Hancock, WR, 5-10, 170 Sr.
Tyler Palminteri, RB, 5-10, 190 Sr.
Dion Williams, RB, 5-10, 190 Sr.
About the Friars: The Friars front seven will be strong led by captains Lord and Barsella, to anchor the defense. Hancock will be the go to man out of the slot for the Friars, who will compete for the CHSFL AAA title.
Holy Trinity Titans
2015 record: 3-6
Coach: Tony Mascia, 26th season
Key Players
Umari Taylor, RB/DB, 5-9, 175 Sr.
Matthew Ragno, QB, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Brandon McLaren, OT/DE, 6-2, 235, Sr.
Jared Williams, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr.
Jonathan Brown, LB, 5-11, 200, Sr.
About the Titans: Holy Trinity’s offensive backfield will be led by Umari Taylor, who rushed for 572 yards and nine touchdowns last season. The Titans look to return to the playoffs behind its experienced backfield and strong offensive and defensive lines.
Kellenberg Firebirds
2015 Record: 3-6
Coach: Kevin Hanifan, 21st season
Key Players
Joe Grimm, QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Marco Mogelli, WR, 6-1, 160 Sr.
Patrick Leahy, RB, 5-11, 185 Sr.
Alex Hyer, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Mike Ripoli, WR, 5-9, 160, Sr.
About the Firebirds: The Firebirds, who run a spread offense, will rely on the arm of Grimm and their skill players, Mogelli, Leahy and Ripoli to put points on the board. Grimm threw for 1200 yards and nine touchdowns in his junior season.
St. Dominic Bayhawks
2015 record: 3-6
Coach: Robert Ploth, first season
Key Players
James Doherty, MLB/FB, 6-0, 235 Sr.
Mike Vaughan, RB/LB, 6-1, 220 So.
Victor Opara, OLB/RB/TE, 6-2, 220 Sr.
Ryan Kelly, TE/OLB 6-4, 235 Sr.
Brian Ford, CB, 6-0, 210 Sr.
About the Bayhawks: St. Dominic made the postseason for the first time since 1991 in 2015 and will look to build off their success from last season. Opara and Doherty will anchor the defense for the Bayhawks.
St. John the Baptist Cougars
2015 record: 8-2
Coach: Ralph Carusillo, third season
Key Players
Frank Guidice, OL/DL, 6-2, 255 Sr.
Jacob Woods, OL/DL, 6-4, 345 Sr.
Christian Legagneur, RB/DB, 5-9, 165 Sr.
Stephen Becker, DB/ATH, 6-1, 195 Sr.
Andrew Fusco, OL/DL, 5-11, 265, Sr.
About the Cougars: Despite falling in the CHSFL AA semifinals last season, St. John the Baptist is coming off a strong 8-2 season and will return three starters from last year’s offensive line and three starters from last year’s secondary.
