Nassau Conference II football capsules

1. GARDEN CITY (12-0)

Coach: Dave Ettinger, eighth year

Five key players: RJ Votruba, RB/DB, Sr.; Sawyer Olson, OL/DE, Sr.; Andrew Cresciullo, OL/DL, Sr.; Jack Archer, WR/DB, Sr.; Stevie Finnell, WR/DB, Sr.

The Trojans: Votruba, who had a 45-yard touchdown reception in Garden City’s 14-6 victory over Bellport in the Long Island Class II championship last season, is set to take over as the focal point of the offense. Garden City has won six straight county titles, which ties a program record, and is coming off its ninth Long Island crown.

2. MEPHAM (7-3)

Coach: Matthew Moody, first year

Five key players: Dom Novello, RB/QB/LB, Sr.; Ryan Thier, RB/LB, Sr.; Michael Cucinella, WR/CB, Sr.; Dylan Dunn, RB/WR, Sr.; Kevin Perry, OL/DL, Sr.

The Pirates: Mepham vastly improved last season, winning seven games and nearly making the county final before losing 21-18 to MacArthur in the semifinals. The Pirates look to continue their upward trajectory with a strong skill position group featuring two-way players in Novello (five touchdowns, 85 tackles), Thier (four touchdowns, 58 tackles), Cucinella (four touchdowns) and Dunn (10 touchdowns). 

3. SOUTH SIDE (4-5)

Coach: Phil Onesto, 12th year

Five key players: Bobby Galindo, OL/DL, Jr.; James Beatty, OL/LB, Jr.; Jack Lozito, RB/DB, Jr.; Michael Melkonian, WR/DB, Jr.; Rolph Brutus, OL/DL, Sr.

The Cyclones: South Side started 11 sophomores last season, and that experience is expected to translate into more victories this fall. Galindo, at 6-3 and 285 pounds, leads an offensive line that averages 6-1 and 265 pounds as one of the biggest units in the county. The offense also returns the majority of its skill position players, along with quarterback Owen West. South Side moves up from Conference III.

4. MACARTHUR (9-2)

Coach: Bobby Fehrenbach, 24th year

Five key players: Rocco Hogan, RB/DB, Sr.; Joey Forchelli, RB/DB, Sr.; Sal Orlando, OL/DL, Sr.; Nick Milau, OL/DL, Sr.; Peter Michielini, WR/DB, Sr.

The Generals: Hogan and Forchelli return as the only starters from last year’s county finalists. Hogan had 70 tackles and Forchelli had two touchdowns early last season before suffering a torn ACL. Orlando, at 6-4 and 320 pounds, will be an imposing force on both sides of the ball.

5. ELMONT (4-5)

Coach: Jay Hegi, 20th year

Five key players: Justus Nathaniel, QB/LB, Sr.; Kimani Lewis, WR/DB, Sr.; Eric Burkett II, WR/DB, Sr.; Sabyan Schmitz, OL/LB, Sr.; Osagie Ekhator, WR/LB, Jr.

The Spartans: Elmont will rely on its skill position players, led by Nathaniel and Lewis. Lewis is a standout track athlete with speed that translates to football and Nathaniel’s athleticism impacts the game all over the field.

6. LONG BEACH (3-5)

Coach: Scott Martin, 15th year

Five key players: Jeff Conway, QB/LB, Sr.; Jack Skarren, TE/LB, Sr.; Jack Miller, RB/LB, Sr.; Hayden Sofield, QB/LB, Sr.; Luke Hartman, WR/DB, Jr.

The Marines: Return two experienced quarterbacks in Conway and Sofield. Conway rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns and added 55 tackles on defense and Sofield passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns last season. Skarren, with 90 tackles last season, leads the defense as Long Beach returns all four starting linebackers.

7. NEW HYDE PARK (5-4)

Coach: Colin Maier, seventh season

Five key players: Jake Rodgers, OL/DL, Sr.; Walter Reyes, RB/LB, Sr.; Vinny Alvarenga, QB/DB, Sr.; Aidan Garvey, RB/DB, Jr.; Andrew Yown, OL/DL, Sr.

The Gladiators:  Alvarenga returns at quarterback after passing for 650 yards and rushing for 200 yards last season. Rodgers, at 6-2, and 230 pounds, will be a big presence at the line of scrimmage. Reyes is a powerful runner and added 54 tackles last season.

8. CALHOUN (3-5)

Coach: Nicholas Rawls, first year

Five key players: Joey Goodman, QB/DB, Jr.; Kyle Auty, WR/DB, Sr.; Connor Faughnan, RB/LB, Sr.; Matt Baci, WR/DB, Sr.; Joshua Bailey, RB/LB, Sr.

The Colts: After winning one game more than is previous two seasons combined, Calhoun returns some key skill position players from its three-win campaign last season. Goodman had 11 total touchdowns last season. Faughnan and Auty had 65 and 60 tackles, respectively, last season. The Colts look to compete for a playoff spot this fall.

9. HERRICKS (2-6)

Coach: Tom Graef, second year

Five key players: Thomas Napolitano, QB, Sr.; Cooper LaRock, TE/LB, Sr.; Braden Sosnik, WR/DB, Sr.; Alex Cabrera, OL/DL, Sr.; Amr Ibrahim, OL/DL, Sr.

The Highlanders: Led by Napolitano, who completed 56% of his passes for 608 yards and eight touchdowns over five games last season. LaRock had 33 tackles and Sosnik had 20.5 tackles last season as two offensive and defensive leaders.

10. SEWANHAKA (1-7)

Coach: George Kasimatis, 13th year

Five key players: Dominick Balletta, QB, Sr.; Markese Gadson, TE/LB, Sr.; Kamari Denhart, WR/DB, Sr.; Carter Fredericks-Dort, RB/DB, Sr.; Michael Staiano, WR/DB, Sr.

Sewanhaka: Led by Balletta and a group of skill position players, including the 6-2, 220-pound Gadson. Fredericks-Dort had 103 rushing yards on 11 carries and a touchdown in a 39-3 victory over Roslyn last season.

11. ROSLYN/FRIENDS ACADEMY (0-7)

Coach: Jordan Haber, fourth year

Five key players: Dylan Goodman, QB/WR, Sr.; Gavin Koo, WR/LB, Sr.; Yianni Lagudis, WR/LB, Sr.; Liam Reilly, OL/DL, Sr.; Quinn Dougherty, WR/LB, Sr.

The Bulldogs: Led by the athletic quarterback/receiver combo in Goodman, who had 25 receptions for 626 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Koo added 23 receptions for 212 yards. Last season was Roslyn’s first with a varsity team in five years and the combined program looks to make strides this fall.

12. BELLMORE-JFK (0-8)

Coach: Johnny McGuire, fourth year

Five key players: Brandon Goldstein, OL/DL, Jr.; Joe Vaccaro, QB/DB, Sr.; Josh Amiel, OL/DL, Sr.; Ray Torchia, RB/DB, Jr.; Peter Kourkoumelis, RB/DB, Sr.

The Cougars: Bellmore JFK moves up from Conference III last season, led by 5-10 and 265-pound two-way lineman Goldstein. Vaccaro led the team in both passing and rushing yards last fall and will continue to serve as the focal point in the offense.