Nassau Conference III football preview 2012

There was no satisfaction for Lawrence when it scored 61 points in last year's LIC and participated in the highest-scoring game in New York State history. "All that mattered was getting the 'W' and we didn't do that," said returning RB/LB Tyler Fredericks, part of a Golden Tornado offense that expects to twist, turn and blow its way past Nassau opponents this season. "We want to win the LIC, not just get there," said elite wide receiver/DB Eddie Robinson, another star from the team that lost, 78-61, to Sayville in the Class III LIC.

In that game, he caught eight passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. "Our motto from the first day of practice is to win the last game."

Junior quarterback Joe Capobianco, who threw for seven touchdowns and 541 yards against Sayville, both LIC records, and ran for another score, called it "a dream to have so many weapons." Another of those weapons is swift sophomore WR Jordan Fredericks, Tyler's younger brother. Oldest brother Ryan, an All-Long Island all-purpose back, graduated last year.

Plainedge will challenge with dangerous junior QB Nick Frenger, who throw for more than 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns, and running/receiving threat Gianfranco Soriente. Bethpage, with its old-school wishbone, features a big, experienced offensive line. Manhasset hopes its experience, led by senior quarterback Kevin Overlander, will produce a playoff run.

LAWRENCE GOLDEN TORNADO (10-2)

Coach: Joe Martillotti, third season

Key players

Eddie Robinson WR/CB 6-1, 195, Sr.

Tyler Fredericks RB/DB 6-1, 220, Sr.

Joe Capobianco QB 5-10, 205, Jr.

Jordan Fredericks WR/DB 5-10, 190, So.

John Perrone OL/DL 6-1, 250, Sr.

Islam Mohamed OT 6-4, 270, Sr.

About the Golden Tornado: "Speed, speed, speed" is the way that Martillotti described his team's strengths, Capobianco, a strong-armed passer (2,500 yards, 29 TDs), has two terrific deep threats in Robinson (709 yards receiving, 12 TDs) and Jordan Fredericks (950, 11). Try to double those receivers and Tyler Fredericks (1,608 yards rushing, 29 TDs) will make you pay.

PLAINEDGE RED DEVILS (6-4)

Coach: Rob Shaver, 17th season

Key players

Nick Frenger QB 5-10, 180, Jr.

Brent Gillen OL/DL 6-1, 210, Sr.

Gianfranco Soriente RB/LB 5-10, 180, Jr.

Nick Cupolo WR/DB 5-9, 160, Sr.

Robert Oliver OL/DL 5-9, 230, Jr.

Robert Ng OL/DL 6-1, 205, Jr.

About the Red Devils: Lofty goals -- "to win the LIC," Shaver said -- start with returning all-county quarterback Frenger, who threw for 1,767 yards and 20 touchdowns. Soriente caught 29 passes for 417 yards and 5 TDs and also ran for 429 yards and 5 more TDs. Gillen is the most experienced lineman.

BETHPAGE GOLDEN EAGLES (9-1)

Coach: Erwin Dill, third season

Key players

Anthony Carrello G/DE 6-2, 240, Sr.

Sean Lunetto T/DE 6-2, 230, Sr.

Kevin DeCastro C/LB 5-11, 215, Sr.

Dylan Reggio G/DT 6-1, 265, Sr.

Dean Andreadis E/DB 6-2, 205, Sr.

Christian Ferruzza QB/LB 6-0, 195, Jr.

About the Golden Eagles: Bethpage's strength has traditionally been its offensive line and there's plenty of experience and size there with seniors Carrello, Lunetto, DeCastro, Reggio and Andreadis. The Golden Eagles rode the wishbone to nine straight victories last season before falling to Plainedge in the county semifinals.

MANHASSET INDIANS (5-4)

Coach: Chuck Collyer, third season

Key players

Kevin Overlander QB 6-0, 195, Sr.

Chris Howell DE/OT 6-2, 210, Sr.

Nick Zenobio LB/OG 6-0, 205, Sr.

Harrison Felman DT/C 5-11, 225, Sr.

Philip Boukas DT/OG 6-0, 230, Sr.

Matt Downey S/WR 5-11, 160, Sr.About the Indians: More depth than in previous years and good leadership with 23 seniors, led by QB Overlander who threw for 942 yards and 9 TDs. Downey (15 catches, 215 yards) will be a favorite target. Zenobio (54 tackles) and Howell (38 tackles, 6 sacks) lead a veteran defense.

LYNBROOK OWLS (6-4)

Coach: Stephen Locicero, eighth season

Key players

Matt Mott RB/LB 6-2, 220, Sr.

Danny Kelly RB/DB 5-10, 185, Sr.

Nicholas Locicero WR/DB 5-10, 155, Sr.

Joe Grossi RB/DB 5-11, 165, Jr.

Mike Cantanno OL/DL 5-8, 215, Sr.

Ken Ribin TE/LB 6-2, 200, Sr.

Eduardo Martinez, QB/DB 5-10, 165, Sr.

About the Owls: After rushing for a school-record 3,400 yards last season out of the spread, Lynbrook expects to throw more with new starting QB Martinez. Mott and Kelly are returning starters at RB. Mott had 10 sacks and Grossi 34 interceptions. Locicero was the top receiver until a season-ending injury in Week 4.

FLORAL PARK KNIGHTS (4-5)

Coach: Michael Spina, 18th season

Key players

Ronnell Jones RB/CB 5-9, 180, Sr.

Timon Parris OT/DT 6-4, 260, Sr.

Bobby Reidy OT/DT 6-3, 310, Sr.

Matt O'Brien LB 6-0, 205, Sr.

Michael Nolan WR/S 5-11, 160, Sr.

Vaughn Hawkings OL/LB 6-0, 205, Sr.

Kevin Jakinovich WR/DE6-3, 220, Sr.

About the Knights: Only 28 varsity players, but Jones, Parris, Reidy and Jakinovich are three-year starters. Jones (1,300 yards, 13 touchdowns) was an all-county player and is one of the better running backs in Nassau. Parris has college-scholarship potential as an offensive lineman.

HEWLETT BULLDOGS (4-5)

Coach: Jay Iaquinta, 23rd season

Key players

Zach Richman QB/S 5-8, 160, Sr.

Weldon Irvine WR/LB 6-4, 190, Sr.

Jerry Leguillow RB/DB 5-7, 165, So.

Woodly Augustin LB 6-0, 205, Sr.

Luciano Morello OT/DT 5-11, 215, Sr.

Logan Calman LB 6-0, 185, Sr.

About the Bulldogs: Excellent team speed, especially at the offensive skill positions. Richman, an all-league player, is slick running the triple-option. Hewlett expects to pass more, with Irvine (11 receptions) the likely recipient. LB Augustin was second in tackles with 48.

VALLEY STREAM SOUTH FALCONS (4-4)

Coach: Lance Griffin, 30th season

Key players

Frank Accardi RB/LB 5-11, 210, Sr.

Anthony Stallone OL/DL 6-1, 230, Sr.

Phil Crisci RB/LB 5-11, 190, Sr.

Chris Infantino OL/DL 6-4, 220, Sr.

Bryan Providence WR/DB 5-10, 170, Sr.

Steven Gotkin WR/DB 5-8, 175, Sr.

About the Falcons: A tough loss to Division cost VSS a playoff berth last season. The Falcons will rely on veteran runners Accardi and Crisci to make it easier on new QB Jess Blovin, a junior. Stallone and Infantino are solid returning linemen.

GLEN COVE BIG RED (3-5)

Coach: Pete Kopecky, 21st season

Key players

Mario Serrano C/LB 6-0, 225, Sr.

Will Kassar QB 5-11, 175, Sr.

Dane Caufield OL/DL 6-1, 205, Sr.

Anthony Famigletti TE 5-9, 175, Sr.

Chris Klimaszewski S 6-1, 170, Sr.

Fabrisky Jean-Claude OL/DL 5-9, 230, Sr.

About the Big Red: Kassar runs the single wing. There is experience on the line with Serrano, Caufield, Famigletti and Jean-Claude but some young running backs must emerge for Glen Cove to reach the playoffs.

DIVISION DRAGONS (6-3)

Coach: Ray Weidlen, 10th season

Key players

Joe Vanasco RB/DB 5-10, 175, Sr.

Brian Pedersen RB/LB 5-11, 195, Sr.

Justin Wiertz DB/WR 5-11, 175, Sr.

Tim Schweitzer LB/RB 5-10, 190, Sr.

About the Dragons: With Vanasco, Pederson, Wiertz and Schweitzer, there is strength at the skill positions. Will stick with spread, instituted in 2011, as the Dragons try to duplicate last year's 6-3 mark that earned Division the Howie Vogts Award as Nassau's Most Improved Team.

SEWANHAKA INDIANS (2-6)

Coach: George Kasimatis, fourth season

Key players

Nick Montoni C 5-8 260, Sr.

Jamal Mirville OT/DT 6-2, 220, Sr.

Jaquan Johnson RB 5-8, 155, Sr.

Jerry Bolivar WR 6-1, 170, Sr.

Elijah Smith WR 5-8, 150, Jr.

Dominic Ruberge K 6-0, 195, Jr.

About the Indians: Will a switch to the spread offense help turn things around? Montoni anchors the line. RB Johnson can get outside. Bolivar and Smith are receiving threats and kicker Ruberge is a nice weapon when drives stall.

SOUTH SIDE CYCLONES (2-6)

Coach: Phil Onesto, second season

Key players

Cole Considine QB 6-0-, 170, Sr.

Matt Berry WR/DB 6-0, 175, Sr.

Eric Gennari WR/DB 5-8, 165, Sr.

Nils Destefano OL/DL 5-11, 200, Sr.

Matt Focer OL/DL 6-3, 240, Sr.

Eddie Seganti OL/LB 5-10, 175, Sr.

About the Cyclones: Considine will have two veteran targets to throw to - Berry and Gennari. Destefano, Focer and Seganti provide experience on the line. Some promising underclassmen could be key as the season unfolds.

CARLE PLACE / WHEATLEY FROGS (4-4)

Coach: Tim Moran, seventh season

Key players

Chris Comito RB/CB 5-8, 160, Sr.

Kenny Urick RB/LB 5-11, 190, Sr.

Anthony Fassino RB/LB 5-10, 185, Sr.

Dex Iannone RB/LB 5-9, 190, Sr.

Kevin Kelly QB 5-11, 145, Jr.

About the Frogs: Move in from Nassau II, where they finished 4-4 three seasons in a row. Comito rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Urick, Fassino and Iannone surround new starting QB Kelly with experience.

NORTH SHORE VIKINGS (1-7)

Coach: Dan Agovino, 11th season

Key players

Ken Daily, RB/LB 5-10, 180, Sr.

Josh Schwartz CB 5-6, 125, Jr.

Nick Daley RB/LB 5-9, 160, Jr.

Tony Palmieri OL/DE 5-11, 195, Sr.

Richard Hajok RB/LB 5-8, 165, Sr.

Giorgio Recine OL/DL 5-11, 215, So.

Anthony Magliocco RB/LB 5-9, 160, Jr.

About the Vikings: They move in from Nassau IV and expect a major turnaround behind the Daley brothers, both solid runners. Recine has the potential to be a premier lineman, according to Agovino. Magliocco is a do-it-all type who can run, returns punts and is the placekicker.