Nassau Conference III preview

Lawrence sits atop the preseason rankings and for good reason: Size, speed and depth set the Golden Tornados apart. Brothers Ryan and Tyler Fredericks combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing in 2010 and will once again carry the load in the backfield with Chris Hercules manning the offensive line.

"We're the No. 1 seed and I feel deserving of it," Lawrence coach Joe Martillotti said. "We're as deep as 2006 in skill positions . . . We preach a Long Island championship every year."

Joe Capabianco takes over under center with Eddie Robinson sliding out to wide receiver.

Lynbrook is the No. 2 seed after an 11-1 season and its second LIC. The Owls have a roster of nearly 70 players, including Division I prospect Jonathan Espinosa, and will rely on their depth to carry them deep into the playoffs

Hewlett returns a pair of tailbacks in Sam Martorella and Gabe Rodriguez. Plainedge returns 1,000-yard rusher Ralph Caccavale.

Sewanhaka has a duo of lineman who combine for more than 500 pounds in Kareem Are and Christopher Jean.

New coaches Phil Onesto and Gino Tassone take over at South Side and Roslyn, respectively.

1. LAWRENCE (8-3)

COACH: Joe Matrillotti (second season).

KEY PLAYERS: Ryan Fredericks, RB/LB, (5-8, 195), Sr.; Chris Hercules, OL/LB, (6-0, 220), Sr.; Tyler Fredericks, RB/LB, (6-1, 210) Jr.; Eddie Robinson, WR/CB, (6-1, 190), Jr.; Jake Bernstein, DE, (6-1, 210), Jr.; Kenny Perez, LB, (5-9, 180), Jr. 

ABOUT THE GOLDEN TORNADOES: Expectations are high with Ryan Fredericks coming off a 1,000-yard season and Hercules anchoring the offensive line and leading the defense. Joe Capabianco, a sophomore, is the new quarterback in Matrillotti's spread offense.

2. LYNBROOK (11-1)

COACH: Stephen Locicero (seventh season).

KEY PLAYERS: Jonathan Espinosa, OL, (6-4, 275), Jr.; Luke Spitzer, QB/DB, (6-2, 190), Sr.; Matt Trotta, RB/LB, (5-10, 185), Sr., Dylan Bien, OL/DL, (6-0, 265), Sr.; Dusty Mashkuli, RB/LB, (5-9, 185), Sr.; Anthony Rainone, WR/DB, (5-9, 165), Sr. 

ABOUT THE OWLS: It's all about depth and speed for the defending Long Island champions. Locicero utilizes all of the 70 players on the roster and runs the ball heavily, rushing for a school-record 4,675 yards in 2010.

3. HEWLETT (7-3) 

COACH: Jay Iaquinta (22nd season). 

KEY PLAYERS: Sam Martorella, RB/DB, (5-10, 180), Sr.; Gabe Rodriguez, FB/LB, (5-9, 185), Sr.; Mark Rizzo, QB/DB, (6-1, 190), Sr.; Michael Gray, WR/LB, (6-1, 195), Sr.; Jared Brent, OL/DE, (6-1, 190), Sr.; Habner Sanchez, OL/DL, (5-10, 205), Sr.

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Martorella returns from an ACL injury and will contribute on both sides of the ball. Rizzo will be the option QB and Rodriguez leads the linebacker corps in the 4-3 defense.

4.  PLAINEDGE (5-5)

COACH: Rob Shaver (16th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Ralph Caccavale, RB, (5-6, 150), Sr.; Andrew Jones, FB, (5-10, 200), Sr.; Joe Persizo, OL, (6-1, 200), Sr.; Nick Frenger, QB, (5-9, 168), So.; Anthony Licata, OL, (5-10, 220), Sr.; Tyler Manez, WR, (5-11, 165), Sr.

ABOUT THE RED DEVILS: Caccavale is coming off a 1,000-yard season and is a threat in the backfield and as a receiver. Jones returns from MCL surgery and Frenger, a sophomore, returns under center.

5. BETHPAGE (6-3)

COACH: Erwin Dill (second season). 

KEY PLAYERS: Justin Rohr, QB/DB, (6-0, 186), Sr.; Joe Schulteis, HB/LB, (5-11, 183), Sr.; Paul Bitetti, FB/LB, (6-2, 202), Sr.; Danny Chillianis, WR/DB, (5-11, 179), Sr.; Dylan Selock, OL/DL, (6-0, 211), Sr.; Frank Camidce, TE/LB, (6-1, 201), Sr.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLES: Rohr, Schulteis and Bitetti make up an experienced backfield operating the wishbone and will contribute on defense, as well. Chillianis should benefit from an expected increase in the passing game.

6. SEWANHAKA (6-3)

COACH: George Kasimatis (third season).

KEY PLAYERS: Kareem Are, OL/DL, (6-6, 330), Sr.; Christopher Jean, OL/DL, (6-4, 275), Sr.; Malik Morris, RB/DB, (5-11, 185), Sr.; Thomas Brown, RB/LB, (5-11, 175), Sr.; Stephen Wellington, RB/LB, (5-10, 210), Sr.; David Ford, RB/LB, (5-10, 185), Sr.

ABOUT THE INDIANS: Are and Jean are the lone returning starters and will anchor the lines, paving the way for the running backs in the double wing and providing more than 500 pounds to stop the run defensively.

7. FLORAL PARK (5-4)

COACH: Michael Spina (16th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Ronnell Jones, RB/DB, (5-8, 170), Jr.; Andrew Voila, RB/LB, (5-10, 190), Sr.; Michael Tangredi, OL/LB, (6-0, 195) Sr.; Zack Hildebrandt, OL/DL, (5-11, 210), Sr.; Bobby Reidy, OL/DL, (6-4, 300), Jr.; Timone Parris, OL/DL, (6-4, 235), Jr.

ABOUT THE KNIGHTS: An experienced offensive line with four returning starters should help the Knights as they move up to Conference III. Jones should have a productive year after rushing for nearly 1,300 yards and 15 TDs in 2010.

8. GLEN COVE (5-4)

COACH: Pete Kopecky (20th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Chris Saperstein, RB, (5-6, 165), Sr.; Evan Siegal, OL, (5-8, 205), Sr.; Andrew Trakakis, DL, (6-0, 260), Sr.; Dan Lynch, DL, (6-1, 205), Sr.; Nick Rant, DL, (5-9, 225), Sr.; Joe Curcio, DL, (6-0, 245), Sr.

ABOUT THE BIG RED: The lines are going to be called upon to put the big in Big Red. Saperstein is expected to get the bulk of the carries and Will Kassar takes over at QB. 

9. MANHASSET (4-5)

COACH: Chuck Collyer (second season).

KEY PLAYERS: Alessandro Troia, RB/LB, (6-0, 190), Sr.; Bobby Duvnjok, OL/DL, (6-2, 220), Sr.; Ryan Mathews, RB/DB, (6-1, 195), Sr.; Chris Howell, OL/DL, (6-0, 195), Jr.; Phillip Boukas, OL/DL, (6-0, 225), Jr.; Steven Fratello, RB/LB, (5-11, 180), Sr. 

ABOUT THE INDIANS: Troia should see an increase in workload coming off a 700-yard season in 2010. Duvnjak and Matthews return after missing last season with injuries and Kevin Overlander will start at QB.

10. DIVISION (1-7)

COACH: Ray Weidlein (9th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Steven Pou, OL/DL, (6-1, 235), Sr.; John Muller, RB/LB, (5-11, 190), Sr.; Ron Greene, TE/LB, (6-2, 220), Sr.; Dylan Crosby, OL/DL, (6-1, 245), Sr.; Jon Maldonado, WR/DB, (6-0, 175), Sr.; Marcos Torres, OL/DL, (6-0, 250), Sr.

ABOUT THE BLUE DRAGONS: After a disappointing, injury-plagued 2010, Weidlein is making wholesale changes to the defensive scheme in the hope of returning to the playoffs. 

11. SOUTH SIDE (1-7)

COACH: Phil Onesto (first season).

KEY PLAYERS: Zach Scaduto, WR/DB, (5-11, 185), Sr.; Harry Dantona, OL/DL, (5-9, 260), Jr.; Brenden Jackson, WR/LB, (5-9, 165), Sr.; Sean Kenny, TE/LB, (6-2, 215), Sr.; Chandler Baylis, K, (5-10, 235), Jr.; Eric Willie Jr., RB/DB, (5-10, 185), Jr.

ABOUT THE CYCLONES: Onesto is looking to change the culture and expects a strong group of senior leaders and talented juniors will aid in the transition with a new coaching staff.

12. VALLEY STREAM SOUTH (1-7)

COACH: Lance Griffin (29th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Frank Acardi, RB/LB, (6-0, 200), Jr.; Tom Meaney, QB/DB, (6-3, 185), Sr.; Marco Sammarone, WR/LB, (6-0, 148), Phil Crisci, RB/LB, (5-11, 190), Jr.; Andrew Kararelas, OL/LB, (5-8, 175), Sr.; Bryan Providence, RB/DB, (5-9, 170), Jr.

ABOUT THE FALCONS: Griffin is looking to be more aggressive in his play-calling and experience at the skill positions should help the team improve from a 1-7 record in 2010.

13. ROSLYN (2-6)

COACH: Gino Tassone (first season).

KEY PLAYERS: Daniel Rosero, OL/DL, (6-1, 245), Jr.; Nick Fuentez, QB, (6-0, 205), Jr.; Gabriel Mabatah, RB/DB, (6-0, 185), Sr.; Timothy Hunter Jr., RB/LB, (6-0, 225), Sr.; Skylar Carfi, TE/LB, (6-1, 220), Sr.; Brent Weissman, WR/LB, (6-0, 175), Sr.

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Tassone is looking to make wholesale changes with a new up tempo pro-style offense and attacking defense. Fuentez, Mabatah and Hunter comprise an experienced backfield.

14. GREAT NECK NORTH (1-7)

COACH: Mike Lewis (fifth season).

KEY PLAYERS: David Nadri, RB/CB, (5-6, 165), Sr.; Oliver Elihu, OL/LB, (6-1, 220), Jr.; Brandon Kahen, OL/LB, (5-7, 170), Sr.; Shane Cefalu, FB/LB, (5-11, 190), Sr.; Ben Zelouf, OL/DL, (5-9, 240), Sr.; Ronnie Heyman, TE/DE, (6-1, 200), Sr.

ABOUT THE BLAZERS: When you struggle to fill a two-deep depth chart, it's going to be a challenging year. Nadri will get the bulk of the carries for an undersized squad.