Nassau Conference II preview
Whether it be the plethora of rushing talent -- Carey's Rob Zorn, Garden City's Patric Berkery, Mepham's Kevin Tauriello -- or outstanding wideouts -- the duo at Elmont, Carey's Stephen Marino -- this is going to be a quick-moving eight weeks in Conference II.
Of course someone's got to get the ball into those players' hands, which is where emerging passers like Wantagh's Nick Mullen and Calhoun's Matt Brennan come in. And what would the season be without guys who can hit hard and make stops when needed? Cue Mepham's Elias Lozada, who seemed to find his way into the middle of every big play in 2010. The teams at the bottom of the pack, who struggled through tough years becayse of enrollment or inexperience, see 2011 as the year of the next step. And if we've learned anything from the talent in this conference, it's that those steps can come quickly and furiously.
1. CAREY (10-1)
COACH: Mike Stanley (fifth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Rob Zorn, RB/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Steven Marino, WR/DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Jesse Milonas, WR/TE/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Peter Nichols, OT/DT, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Ronald Blanc, OT/DT, 5-11, 235, Sr.; Michael Locicero, QB, 6-0, 175, Sr.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS:. Carey never trailed in a game until its championship loss to Garden City. That sudden stop to the season has left the veterans hungry and the team projects to be stronger on both lines. Zorn (six touchdowns) and Marino (7 TDs) will continue to work their magic for a team that averaged 34 points per game.
2. GARDEN CITY (10-2)
COACH: Tom Flatley (27th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Patric Berkery, RB/DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Mark Ellis, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Peter Cline, OL/DL, 6-2, 245, Sr.; Mike Gilbert, OL/DL, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Ryan Norton, K/WR/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.
ABOUT THE TROJANS: Garden City lost a close Long Island Championship to Bellport, but is depending on its two rushers to give the program another crack. The all-county Berkery is an explosive, game-changing back whose role and effectiveness increased as the year wore on. Ellis gives the Trojans a second standout option to rack up yardage.
3. ELMONT (5-4)
COACH: Jay Hegi (10th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Johnson, WR/LB, 6-2, 170, Sr.; Qusarn Caldwell, QB/S, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Ben Odugbesan, 6-4, 185, Sr.; Jeffrey Brenya, T/LB, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Nikai Carter, G/DE, 5-5, 210, Sr.; Dennis Melendez, RB/NG, 6-0, 185, Sr.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS: For the first time in seven years, Elmont didn't make the Final Four, something a flying pair of wideouts is looking to change. Johnson, an all-county selection, and Odugbesan could be stars. Caldwell has a great arm at quarterback, and, if his accuracy improves, this could be a dangerous combination.
4. WANTAGH (7-3)
COACH: Thomas Casey (first season)
KEY PLAYERS: Nick Mullen, QB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Christian Labenberg, OL/DL, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Brian Von Bargen, DB, 6-2, 165, Sr.; Joe Giardina, RB/DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Matt Balzano, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Joe Brasile, FB/LB, 5-9, 200, Sr.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: After losing in the semifinals, Wantagh is implementing a new offense (wing-T) and defense (5-2, 4-3) to take another crack at the conference crown. The team is athletic and Mullen looks to build on a solid season as a passer in which he threw for 12 touchdowns, including three in the playoffs.
5. MEPHAM (7-3)
COACH: Anthony Cracco (fourth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Elias Lozada, TE/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Kevin Tauriello, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Dylan Gordon, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Miguel Shaw, FB/DE, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Joe Aliberti, OL/LB, 6-2, 225, Jr.; John Rizzo, OL/DL, 6-2, 235, Jr.
ABOUT THE PIRATES: Using high quality wide receivers like Gordon, Mepham is looking for a more balanced attack to spread the ball around in its passing game. The team's leading rusher, Tauriello, returns after an 800-plus yard season and 11 touchdowns. The defense is led by standout Lozada. who amassed 65 tackles, five sacks and two blocked kicks.
6. CALHOUN (3-5)
COACH: Joe Bianca (sixth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Rob Rinck, C/LB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Matt Brennan, QB/FS, 6-5, 205, Sr.; Brian Behnke, TB/WS, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Julian Lee, TB/LB, 5-8, 180, Sr.; John Strezenec, TE/DE, 6-5, 220, Sr.; Brandon Furia, WR/CB, 6-1, 170, Sr.
ABOUT THE COLTS: Two big late-season wins got Calhoun into the playoffs, where they lost to Garden City. That experience should help a solid group of returning athletes on both sides of the ball. Brennan took over late in the year and threw for 518 yards and three scores in three games, including a playoff start.
7. LONG BEACH (5-4)
COACH: Scott Martin (third season)
KEY PLAYERS: Tom Rowley, QB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Peter Amabile, LB/FB, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Mike Rourke, OL/DL, 5-10, 255, Sr.; Brandt Scott, DB/WR, 5-8, 155, Sr.; J.T. Forkin, RB/LB, 5-7, 165, Jr.; Tariq Cole, OL/DL, 6-3, 350, Soph.
ABOUT THE MARINES: An aggressive attack and deep roster fuels Long Beach as it tries to avenge a loss in the quarterfinals. Rowley passed for four scores and ran for six others and Rourke is a two-year captain, three-year starter. Amabile is a convert from the defensive line, where he had 25 tackles, eight for losses.
8. WESTBURY (4-5)
COACH: Michael Burger (fifth season)
KEY PLAYERS: William Casseus, QB/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Raevian Jackson, RB/CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Anthony Dew, OT/DT, 6-5, 300, Sr.; Rayon Scarlett, RB/LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; David Severino, C/DE, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Brandon Percival, RB/MLB, 5-8, 205, Sr.
ABOUT THE GREEN DRAGONS: After losing to Calhoun in the first round, the program returns a more veteran, improved offense and defense. Casseus had five touchdown passes and Jackson can be a bonus on both sides of the ball -- he had two scores rushing and had three interceptions. Percival had three TDs and 25 tackles.
9. JERICHO (0-8)
COACH: William Martinez (second season)
KEY PLAYERS: Jordan Brett, RB/LB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Maxx Marcus, OL/LB, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Jacob Alexander, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Noah White, TE/OLB, 6-5, 235, Jr.; Chandler Kirby, QB/S, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Matt Klang, OL/DT, 6-0, 255, Sr.
ABOUT THE JAYHAWKS: After having to cancel its 2010 varsity season, Jericho is back and ready to compete. Brett had three touchdowns, 553 rushing yards, 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and seven sacks while playing at Herricks last year. Up-and-coming tight end White is a big target and a force. Klang is athletic and aggressive.
10. NEW HYDE PARK (3-5)
COACH: Kevin Dolan (11th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Anthony Musacchia, OL/DL, 6-2, 260, Sr.; Nick Dziomba, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Diego DiLone, RB/LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Fran Terrero, RB/DB, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Paul Reo, RB/DB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Jack Murnane, OL/DL, 6-2, 230, Sr.
ABOUT THE GLADIATORS: The team has improved special teams and its speed on defense and returns its offensive line and running back corps. NHP had trouble finishing games last year, but an experienced group of seniors are working to correct that. If the defense holds up and the passer pans out, this could be a breakout year.
11. HERRICKS (1-7)
COACH: Mike Yoo (third season)
KEY PLAYERS: Tommy Graef, QB/LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Rogan Delisio, OL/DL, 5-8, 225, Sr.; Joe Iaboni, OL/DL, 5-10, 240, Sr.; Adrian Kwan, WR/DB, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Mike Pitre, RB/LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Austin Stoner, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Jr.
ABOUT THE HIGHLANDERS: Sliding down from Conference I, a senior passer and two veteran linebackers form the core of the program, and there's help on the way. Kwan is an explosive playmaker, Pitre is tough and Ryan Gaitan is a junior wide receiver who has the vertical talent to go up and get the ball.
12. CARLE PLACE/WHEATLEY (4-4)
COACH: Tim Moran (sixth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Joseph Artoglou, OT/DL, 6-3, 230, SR.; Michael Brea, OG/DE, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Brandon Casale, RB/DB, 5-8, 173, Sr.; Michael Fitzgerald, TE/DE, 6-0, 208, Sr.; T.J. Hogan, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Ricardo Salinas, OL/DT, 5-7, 260, Sr.
ABOUT THE FROGS: Moving up from Conference III, Carle Place's season could hinge on a contingent of newcomers. Quarterback Jimmy Baxter was a backup, but has good quickness. Chris Comito was a running back for the JV squad. He's got good moves and could be an impact player. Senior right tackle Eric Ryan leads a developing offensive line.
13. BELLMORE JFK (2-6)
COACH: Nick Martone (second season)
KEY PLAYERS: Matt Del Bianco, RB/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Jeff Scialo, OL/DL, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Dylon Hernandez, OL/DL, 5-9, 215, Sr.; Matthew Gavigan, WR/LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Patrick Kutil, WR/DB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; James DeCicco, DL, 5-10, 250, Sr.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: Though not many starters return, and a large contingent of juniors will play, there are some standouts. DelBianco is a hard runner, good at putting his shoulder down and blasting through a hole. Gavigan has a good set of hands if he gets thrown to; there still is a quarterback competition late in camp.
14. GREAT NECK SOUTH (1-7)
COACH: Mark Greene (second season)
KEY PLAYERS: Adam Ashourzadeh, FB/MLB, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Dan Belmont, QB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Brandon Brown, RB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Stephen Kennedy, TE, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Brian Renta, C, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Brian Limb, WR, 6-2, 205, Sr.
ABOUT THE REBELS: The key is keeping the passer healthy. After losing their quarterback in Week 1 last year, it was basically a lost season for the Rebels. But a healthy Belmont combined with good speed from wide receivers like Limb in the spread offense could signal a turnaround for the program.