Seaford's Kolodinsky embraces challenge
Team Long Island lineman #66 Greg Kolodinsky of Seaford High School prepares to scrimmage against the defense during during practice held at Shuart Stadium, located on the campus of Hofstra University. (June 18, 2011) Credit: James Escher
The opportunity to square off against large-school opponents doesn't come along often for Long Island small school football players. Seaford offensive guard Greg Kolodinsky has always been curious to see how he would fare against the three larger conferences in Nassau.
Kolodinsky had his chance to show what he's made of during several intense practice sessions for Tuesday's Empire Challenge between Long Island and New York City's top football players.
And so far, he's enjoying it.
"It's awesome. The competition is tight," said the 6-4, 270-pound, Cortland-bound senior. "Everyone's fighting for that spot on the first team. But it doesn't really matter, because it will be equal playing time."
Kolodinsky starred for a Seaford squad that has won four straight Nassau Conference IV championships, which included a 23-game winning streak. That success hasn't always translated into respect for the Vikings, because they play in Conference IV, which consists of the smallest schools in Nassau.
"You can definitely tell the difference between a Conference IV player like me and the Conference I boys," Kolodinsky said.
Kolodisnky has been able to hold his own. "It tells me what I have to work on and what I have to improve on, like pass blocking against quicker, bigger and stronger guys," Kolodinsky said. "I haven't been going against 300-pounders in Conference IV, but I am now."
Defensive back Donte Colter of Roosevelt, a Conference IV squad and receiver Stephen Loudon, who played for Division IV Babylon, are in the same situation as Kolodinsky.
"It's more competitive, because you're going against kids from all over, Division I, II, III, Conference I, II, III," Colter said. "It's a little harder, but I feel like I can play with any division on any level."
Lax to the future
A handful of LI players will go on to play college lacrosse. They are: Loudon; East Islip's Kevin Hutchinson; St. Anthony's Brian Kensil; Farmingdale's Brian Prendergast and Harborfields' Greg FitzMaurice.
Glenn's Ryan Rielly, Sachem North's Michael Andreassi and Floyd's Luke Miller -- who won't play in the Empire Challenge because of injuries -- will also play college lacrosse.
