Smithtown's Kyle Perillo knows bowling season will be unlike any other

A high school bowling match will look and sound a lot different this season. That is for those who are able to see it.

Bowlers, coaches and bowling alley staff will be the only people allowed inside the alley during a match or practice.

"Our spectators and family keep us motivated, cheer for us, clap and make it a better experience for everyone involved," Smithown’s Kyle Perillo said. "The fact that they won’t be allowed to be there dims it down a bit."

The shortened season will be four to five weeks instead of the normal 10, but each team is scheduled to have its normal number of matches (12-14). The caveat being, they are only allowed six practices throughout the season.

During matches, teams will not intermingle. Members of one team (five to seven bowlers) will occupy two lanes and then a few lanes over, to the left or right, will be the opposing team. The amount of space between the teams will vary from alley to alley. Masks must be worn at all times.

"It’s going to be difficult to understand how well the other team is doing, but you have to just concentrate on yourself and try to do the best you can," Perillo said.

Perillo, a junior at Smithtown East, led Long Island in average (227.77) last season and will anchor a loaded Smithtown team. Joshua Bholan, Jake Ryan and Timothy Schiraldi will attempt to repeat as League III champions after finishing last season 14-0.

"Although there are going to be changes and different rules to follow, I am just thankful to have a season," Perillo said.

"I think my team will be able to adapt to the new rules and regulations pretty easy," Smithtown coach Rob Aplin said. "I know most of my boys bowl in leagues, so they are already used to the new guidelines."

Smithtown’s biggest competition in League III will be Commack, which is headed by Frank Manetta and Kieran Carney. Manetta had the second-highest average on Long Island last season with a 224.94.

In League I, East Islip is seeking its fifth straight county championship and is led by Joseph Zagari, Dylan Sgueglia and Sebastian Gebhard.

The dynamic duos of Nick Walker and John Clark of Sachem and Seth Knipe and Colin Michels of Longwood will help their respective teams compete for a League IV title. Floyd, too, has a pair of top bowlers in Louis Parrinello and Alex Ramoska and has hopes of repeating as League II champions.

In Nassau and the CHSAA, the top spot is up for grabs.

Farmingdale, Bethpage and Seaford each have a pair of top bowlers returning for the 2021 season.

Farmingdale led Nassau in average (812.6) and welcome back Aidan Rinaldi and Nick Rose. Alex Grzybowski and Brian Lunetto will give Bethpage a solid 1-2 punch in a competitive Conference III that features Farmingdale, Massapequa and Plainview Old-Bethpage JFK.

Joe Ledesky and Joseph Gallagher will power Seaford, who had the third-best team average (781.7) in Nassau and captured its third consecutive small school county title.

For the last eight years, Chaminade has been the class of CHSAA boys bowling, winning eight consecutive league titles.

They return Thomas Gallant and Michael Callinan. Both bowlers earned valuable playoff experience on last season’s championship team.

Dominick Rossi and Giacomo Marziliano are hoping to put St. Anthony’s on the map, while Carmine Caruso (St. Dominic), Nicholas DiScala (St. John the Baptist) and Mark Ferrara (St. Mary’s) are the top returning bowlers for their respective teams.

"I am just hoping nobody gets sick and everyone is able to stay healthy," Perillo said. "If we can all follow the protocols, I think we can have a successful bowling season."