Sachem North enjoys view from top spot
Sachem's Jesse Scanna breaks into the Brentwood secondary for a gain in the first half of the Suffolk Division I semifinals. (Nov. 13, 2009) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
For the first time since the seismic split of the Sachem school district in 2005, one of its teams is the No. 1 seed.
“It’s like Rex Ryan said, where else would you want to be?” Sachem North coach Dave Falco said.
The Flaming Arrows deserve the preseason top spot, coming off a school-record 10-win season and returning three All-County players, led by bruising FB/LB Jesse Scanna. Already fast, North got an infusion of more team speed when the Crosson brothers transferred in from Shoreham-Wading River.
“High expectations are a good thing,” Falco said. “It’s the fastest, strongest team we’ve had here in a long time.”
Naturally, perennial power Floyd also will contend for the league title, with a team built on youthful speed, not power. The speediest is junior RB/CB Stacey Bedell and Division I Eastern powers have been quick to notice his impressive skill set. Colonials coach Paul Longo relishes the challenge of being the chaser. “Of course you want to be No. 1, but it’s nice not to be favored in every game for a change,” he said. “I’m curious to see how we’ll respond.”
Floyd visits Sachem North on Oct. 23. Lindenhurst, Northport, Connetquot and Longwood should also make some noise.
SACHEM NORTH (10-1)
Coach: Dave Falco (8th season)
Key players: Sr. LB/RB Jesse Scanna (6-0, 215); Sr. LB/RB Mike Andreassi (5-10, 190); Sr. OT/DT James Thompson (6-1, 275); Sr. QB/LB Angelo Armine (5-10, 175); Sr. OL/DE Tim Lang (6-1, 190); Sr. DB/RB Alec Katos (5-9, 175); Jr. RB/DB Dalton Crossan (5-10, 175).
About the Flaming Arrows: Won school-record 10 games before losing to Floyd in county championship game in 2009. Plenty of talent returns, led by returning All-Suffolk players Scanna, Andreassi and Thompson. Scanna may be the best linebacker in the county. Arrows have excellent team speed, which got a boost when Crossan, a two-way starter at Shoreham-Wading River, transferred into district.
FLOYD (10-2)
Coach: Paul Long (16th season)
Key players: Jr. RB/CB Stacey Bedell (5-11, 160); Sr. MLB William Brooks (5-9, 200); Sr. DT Anthony Tavarone (5-10, 300); Jr. DE Matthew Allen (5-10, 190); Sr. OL James Walsh (6-2, 265); Sr. OL/DL Matthew Bindman (5-11, 24); So. QB A.J. Otranto (5-11, 160).
About the Colonials: Longo refers to this group as the "Baby Colonials" because of its youth, typified by starting quarterback Otranto, a sophomore. But there is tremendous team speed and, as usual, the defense will fly to the ball. Bedell is a legit 4.42 speedster already on the radar screen of several Division I colleges. Tavarone anchors the defensive line.
LINDENHURST (5-5)
Coach: Nick Lombardo (2nd season)
Key players: Sr. QB Steve Skon (6-2, 205); Sr. DE/TE Ted Mangione (5-11, 210); Sr. DE/OL Evan Wildberger (6-2, 225); Jr. Ken Skon (6-3, 215); Sr. DL/OL Mike Anding (5-10, 210); Jr. LB/FB David Fowler (5-11, 185).
About the Bulldogs: Mangione (46 tackles, four sacks) and Wildberger (31 tackles, eight sacks) lead a rugged defense expected to improve on the 22 points per game it allowed last season. Offensively, it'll be the Skon Show, with quarterback Steve (1,860 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 66 percent completions) throwing to his brother Ken (28 receptions).
NORTHPORT (7-2)
Coach: Kip Lukralle (25th season)
Key players: Sr. G/NG Lucas Vallas (5-10, 265); Sr. WR/S Jack Delahunty (6-3, 190); Sr. RB/CB Donovan Devaney (5-7, 170); Sr. QB John Laurine (6-1, 185); Sr. OT/DT Connor Walsh (6-2, 260); Sr. FB/LB Jesse Ferraro (6-0, 220).
About the Tigers: Even without graduated 1,000-yard rushers Tom Delahunty and Dan Russo, this team should have an explosive offense. Jack Delahunty (Tom's brother) is an excellent receiver and along with Tom Cordts gives Laurine and couple of big targets. Vallas is an elite lineman and, like Walsh, is a returning two-way starter. Untested defense must mature.
CONNETQUOT (4-5)
Coach: Mike Hansen (8th season)
Key players: Sr. RB/LB Mike Pellegrino (5-9, 185); Sr. WR/S Tommy McInerney (6-0, 195); Sr. OL/DL T.J. DeGirolamo (5-11, 195); Sr. QB Kevin Jadick (5-11, 175); Sr. WR/S Steve Compitello (5-8, 170); Sr. TE/DE Nick Cascio (6-1, 205).
About the Thunderbirds: The skill positions are the team's strength, led by Pellegrino, a returning Newsday All-Long Island selection in both football and lacrosse (the sport he'll play at Johns Hopkins). Gained 1,122 yards with 13 touchdowns. He also made 50 tackles and two interceptions. Wideouts McInerney and Compitello should be an asset for first-year starting QB Jadick.
LONGWOOD (4-5)
Coach: Chris Meyer (4th season)
Key players: Sr. G/DT Darius Greene (6-2, 260); Jr. C/NG Kevin Perretta (5-11, 220); Sr. QB/LB Eric Lee (6-1, 200); Sr. FB/LB Anthony Bullock (5-10, 205); Sr. TE/DT Dominique Desroches (6-2, 205); Sr. OT Connor Oglesby (6-3, 265).
About the Lions: This young squad expects a better start than last year's 0-4 opening run thanks to some size and experience up front, led by Greene, who had 15 tackles and two sacks. Lee is a tested quarterback who threw for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Bullock is a power runner who had 302 yards and seven touchdowns.
PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD (2-6)
Coach: Jim Chiarello (10th season)
Key players: Sr. QB/DB Kevin Gerard (6-1, 195); Jr. TE/DE Chris Makulik (6-1, 230); Sr. OL/DL Louis Dallojacono (6-1, 245); Sr. OL/DL Ryan Jensen (6-1, 300); Jr. FB/LB Mark Frey (5-11, 220); Jr. OL/LB Carlos Torres (5-8, 195).
About the Red Raiders: To make a playoff run, they must overcome a lack of team speed with solid line play. Makulik is a defensive stopper who made 52 tackles. He joins Dallojacono and Jensen on a big, strong offensive line. Once again, the Red Raiders can't match some of the other teams in Division I at the skill positions.
BAY SHORE (5-4)
Coach: Jim Giattino (5th season)
Key players: Sr. RB/DB Karl Allison (5-6, 180); Sr. WR/S Devan Smith (5-8, 175); Jr. OT/DE Patrick Rainis (6-1, 240); Jr. C/LB Griffin Rock (6-1, 220); Jr. WR K.J. Hammond (6-4, 185); Sr. QB Kevin Cox (6-0, 170).
About the Marauders: After first playoff appearance in 18 years, the move up from Division II is less daunting. Allison leads exceptional corps of skill players. Despite standing only 5-6, he rushed for 305 yards, made 20 tackles, had two interceptions and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Smith and Hammond are solid receivers.
BRENTWOOD (5-5)
Coach: Robert DiLello (1st season)
Key players: Sr. WR Durrell Lumsden (5-9, 170); Sr. C Chris Alvarado (5-11, 230); Sr. WR/SS Devine Daniel (5-9, 175); Jr. RB/DB Dwayne Scott )5=8. 155); Sr. WR/DB Todd Colas (5-11, 175); Jr. FB/LB Alvin Enaharo (5-11, 210).
About the Indians: DiLello, who replaced Steve Perretta, Brentwood's coach for seven seasons, has a young, inexperienced team. But there is speed at wide receiver with Lumsden (25 catches, six TDs) and Daniel, also a top defensive back with 35 tackles and three interceptions. Enaharo is the defensive signal caller.
CENTRAL ISLIP (3-6)
Coach: Joe Taormina (5th season)
Key players: Sr. RB/DB Darrel Flores (5-9, 170); Sr. RB/DB Mike Cruz (5-7, 170); Sr. WR/DB Ryan Satchell (5-10, 180); Sr. RB/LB Dondre Bailey (6-0, 200);Sr. OL/DL Tyree Webster (6-3, 240); Jr. OL/DL Joe Pierre (6-4, 285); Jr. QB Eric McCoy (5-10, 175).
About the Musketeers: All of the starting running backs and secondary return. Plenty of speed, too, led by Flores, who rushed for 632 yards and added 211 receiving yards. He's also a shutdown corner. Cruz rushed for 332 yards and made 26 tackles. Satchell, a hitter, made 23 tackles. McCoy is a first-year starter with a strong arm.
SACHEM EAST (1-7)
Coach: Brian Harvey (5th season)
Key players: Sr. OT/DT Lucas Brum (6-2, 305); Sr. QB Kyle Starke (5-10, 160); Sr. TE/LB Matthew Berligieri (6-1, 190); Sr. TE/LB Brian Corbett (6-4, 210); Sr. NB Justin Plantz (5-11, 220); So. RB/LB Steven Casali (6-1, 195).
About the Flaming Arrows: They were a bit one-dimensional last season, emphasizing the passing game. No more. "Run first, pass second," Harvey said. That means Starke, Casalo and junior Billy Merone will be running behind Brum and a couple of good tight ends in Berligieri and Corbett. East hopes players promoted from a 7-1 JV squad will help.
WHITMAN (2-6)
Coach: Robin Rosa (1st season)
Key players: Jr. RB/LB Darryl Felder (6-0, 220); Sr. RB/S Kenyhon Reynolds (5-8, 170); Sr. RB/CB Chris Malinson (5-7, 165); Sr. TE P.J. White (6-3, 190); Sr. G/DE Kevin Teresky (6-3, 230); Jr. QB Kenny Philips (6-2, 180).
About the Wildcats: Another first-year coach facing a big challenge in Division I. Rosa acknowledged his team lacks experience and size, but hopes to make up for it with a fleet set of skill kids. Felder, Reynolds and Malinson have quickness and are good two-way players. First-year starting QB Philips has a good arm and some running ability.
COMMACK (2-6)
Coach: Joe Reggio (5th season)
Key players: Sr. G/LB Marc Recio (5-9, 200); Sr. TE/DE Frank Lentsch (5-10, 185); Sr. QB Tyler Smith (6-1, 190); Sr. S Danny Brown (6-1, 185); Jr. TE/DE Mike Karolis (6-2, 205); Jr. RB/LB Brenden Cook (5-11, 200).
About the Cougars: They are athletic, but very, very young. Recio led the team in tackles a year ago and will anchor the defense. Karolis and Cook are being counted on to improve a unit that surrendered 29 points per game, third most in Division I. Smith will run the spread offense in his first year as starting quarterback.
WARD MELVILLE (2-6)
Coach: Rob Neugabauer (1st season)
Key players: Sr. QB Patrick O'Hee (5-10, 175); Sr. RB/DB Zach Zanona (5-10, 165); Sr. RB/LB James Cashin (5-10, 175); Sr. TE/LB Mike Corrie (6-0, 190); Jr. RB/LB Frank Lucatuorto (5-11, 180); Sr. OL/DL Brandon Lahti (6-2, 240).
About the Patriots: Yet another first-year coach facing a huge task in Division I. Neugabauer hopes that the fact that the Pats lost several close games last year means they aren't that far away from turning it around. It will help to have an experienced offensive backfield, featuring O'Hee, Zanone and Cashin. Decent size up front.
