Nassau Conference IV team-by-team preview 2021
1. SEAFORD (10-2)
Coach: Robert Perpall
Key players: Craig Ackerman, FB/LB, Sr., Robert Necco, SE/S, Sr., Jake Murphy, RB/DB, Sr., Kyle Phieffer, TE/LB, Sr., Nick Luciano, OL/DL, Sr.
The Vikings: Won the Nassau Conference IV title against Cold Spring Harbor and lost to Shoreham-Wading River in the Long Island Class IV championship last year. Will run multiple offenses and rely on an experienced roster with championships in mind.
2. WANTAGH (7-3)
Coach: Keith Sachs
Key players: Liam Casey, LB/G, Jr., Tyler Martini, RB/LB, Jr., Joseph Fontana, TE/DT, Sr., Adam Kissinger, C/DL, Sr., Sean Carlo, RB/S, Jr.
The team: Lost in the 2019-20 semifinals vs. South Side. Made the playoffs 25/26 years. Will rely on a young and talented backfield without coach Tony Carter taking the field for the first time in 20 years.
3. NORTH SHORE (8-2)
Coach: Dan Agovino
Key players: Aiden Mandell, RB/DE, Sr., Jack Ledden, Slot/S, Sr., Phillip La Rosa, RB/LB, Sr.,Lorenzo Recine, OL/LB, Sr., Daniel Romano, OL/DL, Sr.
The Vikings: Lost in the semifinals to Plainedge and were named most improved team in Nassau. They are looking to build off last year’s successful season behind an up-tempo offense and the most college-committed senior class in North Shore history.
4. LOCUST VALLEY (6-4)
Coach: Casey Neilly
Key players: Ben Ferrara, RB/DB, Sr., Sean Murphy, TE/DE, Sr., Luke Paniagua, FB/LB, Sr., Logan Liantonio, WR/DB, Sr., Matt Pisciotta, RB/LB, Sr.
The Falcons: Lost to Seaford in the county semifinals but return three all-county players and 10 starters from last year’s team. Will run a Pistol offense and a 4-3 defense with a championship goal.
5. LAWRENCE (3-5)
Coach: Jay Supple
Key players: Luke Kirchner, OL/LB, Sr., Yuri Martinez, OL/DL, Sr., Mikell Henry, WR/DB, Sr., Jackson Mondesir, DL, Soph., John Calderon, OL/DL, Sr.
The Golden Tornadoes: Won three out of their final four games but did not make the playoffs. Will rely on athleticism and a strong offensive line while running a spread offense and 4-3 defense to try to make the playoffs this year.
6. CLARKE (8-2)
Coach: Tim O’Malley
Key players: John Kern, FB/LB, Sr., Anthony Rodriguez, OL/DL, Sr., Joe Dieppa, RB/OLB, Sr., Kevin Henning, OL/DL, Sr., Nick Giardino, QB/FS, Jr.
The Rams: Lost in the Nassau semifinal round to Cold Spring Harbor. They aim to return to the playoffs with a small senior group and strong junior class, running a Wing-T offense and 3-5 defense.
7. CARLE PLACE/WHEATLEY (2-6)
Coach: Tim Moran
Key players: Patrick Selhorn, QB/LB, Sr., AJ Pascarella, RB/LB, Sr., James Kapralos, TE/DE, Sr., Dionysios Valentis, OL/LB, Sr., James Dearborn, RB/DB, Sr.
The Frogs: After an "injury-plagued building year" last year, this senior-laden group, that went 7-1 as a JV, will employ the triple-option offense to turn things around.
8. WEST HEMPSTEAD (2-7)
Coach: Dom Carre
Key players: Peter Theordotas, QB/DB, Sr., Ak Kargbo, FB/LB, Sr., Zadrian Budhoo RB/SS, Jr., Torry Marshall, OL/DL, Jr., Anthony Rivera, OL/DL, Sr.
The Rams: Return much of last year’s team and hope to expand upon their experience while running a Double-Wing offense and 4-4 defense.
9. COLD SPRING HARBOR (9-2)
Coach: Jon Mendreski
Key players: Will Spehr, WR/DB, Sr., Ben Bruno, RB/DB, Sr., Blake Molinari, OL/DL, Sr., Sean McAuley, WR/LB, Sr., James Celestino, FB/LB, Sr.
The Seahawks: Lost in the county title game to Seaford. With a young, rebuilding team, the aim is to run a more open Power-I offense as well as a 5-3 defense to build on momentum from the last few years.
10. EAST ROCKAWAY (5-4)
Coach: Russell Pajer
Key players: Franklin Infante, RB/CB, Sr., Julian Palma, QB/CB, Sr., Robert Welch, RB/LB, Sr., Jack Mistretta, FB/MLB, Jr., Nicholas Nunez, OL/DL, Sr.
The Rocks: Lost in the quarterfinals to Locust Valley. Will implement a ball control offense aka "ground and pound" and an aggressive defense that is athletic and quick using an experienced backfield and strong CBs and LBs, respectively.
11. MALVERNE (4-5)
Coach: Kito Lockwood
Key players: Michael Warren, WR/DB, Sr., Gerardo Delligatti, OL/DL, Sr., Miles Tyson, QB/LB, Sr., DeAndre Blagrove, RB/LB, Jr., Christian Cowan, TE/LB, Sr.
The Mules: Lost in the first round of the 2019-20 playoffs to Cold Spring Harbor but return a young talented group that will be led by offensive and defensive lineman Delligatti and "electrifying" Warren.
12. ISLAND TREES (5-4)
Coach: Tom McCormick
Key players: Joe Gagliardo, TE/LB/P, Sr., Ryan Mastropaolo, FB/LB, Jr., Troy Silva Jr. RB/LB, Sr., Tyler Becklein, OL/LB, Sr., Rob Lupo, OL/DL, Sr.
The Bulldogs: Lost in the first round of the 2019-20 playoffs to Clarke. Will run a Flexbone offense focusing on speed. A week six rematch against Clarke is circled.
13. OYSTER BAY (0-8)
Coach: Daniel Ruskowski
Key players: Zacchary Hornoski, WR/FS, Sr., Aidan Russo, C/DT, Sr., Moises Maldonado, TE/DE, Sr., Joshua Gomez, G/DT, Sr., Johnathan Dynda, G/DE, Sr.
The Baymen: An experienced upper class-led team that will run a Spread offense and 4-3 defense looking to bounce back following last year’s season.
14. FRIENDS ACADEMY (3-5)
Coach: Patrick Maguire
Key players: Billy Daal, RB/LB, Sr., Albert Paniccia, RB/S, Sr., Zach Shallat, RB/LB, Jr., CJ Williams, OL/DL, So., Rob Ward, OL/DL, Sr.
The Quakers: Finished last year on a two-game winning streak and return a strong nucleus of players including All-County recipient Daal who led the team in total yards from scrimmage and touchdowns.
