Defending champ Garden City can handle giving up points
BRIAN FISCHER
Garden City
RB/DB, 6-1, 185
He provides the "Dash" in the Trojans' "Smash and Dash" backfield with his buddy Jahelka. Credit: James A. Escher
Odds are Garden City will allow a point over the course of its first five games. And the Trojans are OK with that.
"I think this team knows that maybe we're not as strong as we were last year,'' said first-year starting quarterback Tom Gordon. "What will go through our mind if we [give up points in the first game]? I don't think us seniors, as leaders, will let it hurt us, so it definitely won't trickle down and hurt the other kids.''
Coach Tom Flatley said allowing points, something last season's Long Island championship team didn't do until Week 6, may be a good thing.
"It's not going to be traumatic,'' he said about giving up a touchdown in the Tuesday's opener against Mepham. "It'd probably be better if we did give one up the first game - one, not too many.''
The Trojans are looking to become the first Nassau team to win back-to-back L.I.C.s since Bethpage in 2002-03 and the first to defend its Rutgers Cup since Hempstead from 1984-86.
Backfield mates Stephen Jahelka and Brian Fischer - who will both play lacrosse at Harvard next season - will lead the Garden City offense.
Wantagh, the No. 2 seed, will be the Trojans' top challenger, while Carey, Elmont and Calhoun all will be in the mix for a Big 4 appearance.
Coach: Tom Flatley (26th season)
Key players: Sr. FB/LB Stephen Jahelka (6-0, 205); Sr. RB/DB Brian Fischer (6-1, 185); Sr. QB/DB Tom Gordon (6-3, 200); Sr. OL/DL Billy Allen (6-3, 260); Sr. OL/DL John Bock (6-2, 215); Sr. OL/DL James Wright (6-3, 235).
About the Trojans: In Jahelka and Fischer, they have one of the best 1-2 combos running the football on the Island. Gordon steps in as starting quarterback, and most of the defense that pitched nine shutouts in 2009 returns. Ryan Norton, who booted the game-winning field goal in last year's L.I.C. is also back.
Coach: Keith Sachs (19th season)
Key players: Sr. TB/LB Mike Scully (5-9, 190); Sr. WR/LB Ryan Sliwak (5-11, 175); Sr. FB/FS John Reicherter (6-1, 185); Sr. TE/MLB Ryan Walsh (6-3, 215); Sr. OT/DT Nick Frendo (5-9, 235); Sr. OG/LB Jake Gambitsky (5-10, 185).
About the Warriors: The offense will be potent behind All County receiver Sliwak, a Dragon Award finalist in 2009. Scully already holds the school record of 348 rushing yards in a single game, while Reicherter will see touches from the fullback spot. Frendo is the only returning starter on the line, and Walsh anchors the defense at middle linebacker.
Coach: Michael Stanley (4th season)
Key players: Sr. WR/RB/LB Giuliano Bove (6-2, 180); Sr. WR/DB Jake Robison (6-0, 170); Sr. OL/DE John Andrade (5-10, 180); Sr. OL/DE Drew Zahradka (6-0, 185); Sr. QB Kyle Zahradka (6-2, 210); Sr. RB/LB John Daddino (6-1, 215). About the Seahawks: Bove epitomizes the versatility of this team's athletes, as he can run or catch the ball out of the team's spread attack. Kyle Zahradka returns as the starting quarterback, while his brother Drew, and Andrade anchor a small, but athletic line. Daddino should see plenty of carries.
Coach: Jay Hegi (9th season)
Key players: Sr. RB/LB Jaquan Smith (5-8, 195); Sr. FB/LB Charlie Dimoh (5-9, 205); Jr. QB/S Qusarn Caldwell (6-1, 175); Sr. WR/LB Kevin Johnson (5-9, 160); Jr. WR/LB Kyle Johnson (6-0, 165); Sr. OG/DE Peter Penalvert (5-10, 210).
About the Spartans: Opposing defenses can expect a steady dose of Smith, a Division I-caliber player with 4.3 40-yard dash speed and the power to break tackles. Caldwell is a first-year starter at quarterback and has a powerful arm, while the Johnson brothers will be keys to Elmont's 3-5 defense at linebacker.
Coach: Joe Bianca (5th season)
Key players: Sr. TB/MLB Coleman Meier (6-2, 215); Sr. OG/DT Mike Olsen (6-1, 240); Sr. OT/DE John Wigands (6-4, 225); Sr. TB/LB Nick Pititto (6-0, 200); Sr. WR Cory Barchat (5-8, 180); Sr. QB/CB Vinny Samuels (5-10, 185).
About the Colts: They slide back into Conference II after one season in Conference I. Meier, a three-year starter, is a force out of the backfield, while Barchat can be lined up anywhere on the field. Junior Julian Lee, who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last season, returns on special-team duties.
Coach: Nick Martone (1st season)
Key players: Sr. RB/CB Joe Karo (5-11, 185); Sr. WR/S Will Colon (6-1, 172); Sr. OL/LB Brandon Kaminsky (6-1, 220); Sr. QB Adrian Rose (6-2, 215); Sr. OL/DL Dan DeBiasi (5-8, 210).
About the Cougars: A strong senior class will lead the charge. Karo is an All Conference talent who scored 10 touchdowns last season. Rose is a run-pass quarterback with Colon being his favorite target. Expect plenty of turnovers from the defense, led by Kaminsky, who had four forced fumbles in 2009.
Coach: Kevin Dolan (10th season)
Key players: Sr. OL/DE Tom Campbell (5-9, 197); Sr. OL/DE Greg Goetz (6-0, 218); Sr. RB/LB Guillermo DiLone (5-9, 170); Sr. RB/DL Chris Ianiro (5-10, 205); Jr. OL/DL Anthony Mussachia (6-2, 260); Sr. QB/DB Rob Scattorchio (5-9, 190).
About the Gladiators: After a down season, New Hyde Park's youngsters have ripened into a darkhorse in the conference. The bulk up front, led by three-year starters Campbell and Goetz, is the team's strength. Nick Dziomba returns at tight end and can catch passes out of the spread.
Coach: Scott Martin (2nd season)
Key players: Sr. TE/DE Cedrick Coad (6-2, 205); Sr. TE/LB Nate Barksdale (6-1, 220); Sr. RB/DE Damon Whitfield (6-0, 205); Jr. OL/LB Mike Rourke (5-10, 225); Jr. WR/S Lorenzo Torres (5-9, 170); Sr. WR/CB Sam Pereless (5-11, 170).
About the Marines: They should be improved defensively with Coad (six sacks last season) chasing down quarterbacks. Barksdale, Rourke and James Forkin are three talented linebackers in the 4-4 defense. Whitfield scored eight touchdowns in 2009, and Nick McCarthy is a weapon in the kicking game.
Coach: Anthony Cracco (3rd season)
Key players: Sr. QB/DB Nick White (6-2, 190); Sr. OL/LB Chris Shevins (6-1, 205); So. OL/DL Joe Aliberti (6-1, 205); Sr. OL/DL Dimitri Hilas (5-11, 235); Jr. TB/LB Kevin Tauriello (5-10, 185); Jr. WR/DE Miguel Shaw (5-11, 190).
About the Pirates: Coming off their first season over .500 since 1999, look for a balanced offensive attack and a physical defense. White is a run-pass threat at quarterback and can make plays on defense. Receiver Vin Moryc returns from injury and will be an asset alongside Shaw in the spread attack.
Coach: Frank Chimienti (2nd season)
Key players: Sr. OT/DT Victor Ochi (6-2, 225); Sr. OT/DE Vincent Okafor (6-4, 210); So. RB/LB Laton Butler (6-0, 200); Sr. WR/DB Jaishaun Brown (5-10, 170); Sr. OL/DE Brendan Hickey (6-3, 205); Sr. OG/DT Khallid Daffala (6-1, 295).
About the Eagles: Ochi, the son of Nigerian immigrants, is playing just his third season of football. Last year he made 57 tackles, including 8.5 sacks. Teamed with Okafor, it will be difficult for teams to run on VSC. Though still young, Butler is a talented running back. St. Francis Prep transfer Dashawn Wallace should also see carries.
Coach: Joe Dispigno (7th season)
Key players: Sr. OT/DE Damian Douglin (6-2, 260); Sr. RB/LB Malcolm Hunter (6-0, 185); Jr. QB/CB Gabriel Mabatah (5-9, 155); Sr. WR/CB Andrew Jones (6-0, 166); Sr. RB/LB Rob Seinfeld (6-0, 190); So. RB/DB Roberto Nesbeth (5-8, 155).
About the Bulldogs: Douglin is a run-stuffing, pass-rushing specimen on defense getting plenty of Division I looks. He played only three games last season because of a broken wrist, but is fully healed. Roslyn's problems are on offense — the Bulldogs scored a conference-low 60 points in 2009.
Coach: Mike Burger(fourth season)
Key players: Sr. OG/MLB Hugh O'Brien (6-2, 215); Sr. WR/LB Edwin Jean-Baptiste (6-0, 195); Sr. TB/LB Brandon Wilson (5-9, 180); Sr. TB/CB Jourmel Castma (5-7, 150); Sr. WR/FS Chanse Watson (6-2, 180); Jr. QB/LB Billy Casseus (6-0, 185).
About the Green Dragons: They switched to spread offense, which will be led by Casseus, a starting pitcher on the baseball team who has a live arm. O'Brien anchors the offensive line, while Jean-Baptiste and Watson are the top targets.
Co-Coaches: Mike Passuello and Mark Greene (first season)
Key players: Sr. RB/LB Dan Warner (5-11, 200); Sr. TE/LB Sam Rossiello (5-11, 210); Jr. QB Dan Belmont (6-0, 190); Jr. RB/LB Adam Asourzedeh (5-10, 190); Jr. WR/DB Mike Spinello (5-9, 170); Sr. OG/DE Brad Reider (5-11, 185).
About the Rebels: After a sluggish offensive season, the new coaching staff is shaking up the system. Belmont returns as starting quarterback in the option attack, Warner is a tough runner and Spinello can make catches in traffic. Rossiello and Reider are solid blockers.
