Nassau Conference IV football team-by-team preview

1.     NORTH SHORE (10-2)

Coach: Dan Agovino, 21st year

Five key players: Ryan Freund, RB/MLB, Sr.; Nicholas La Rosa, RB/OLB, Sr.; Peter Liotta, QB/S, Sr.; Nick Livoti, WR/DB, Sr.; Patrick Godfrey, OL/DL, Sr.

The Vikings: After beginning last season 2-2, North Shore finished the year on an eight-game winning streak en route to winning both their first county title since 1975 and first Long Island championship in program history. The Vikings now eye back-to-back titles with La Rosa and Liotta leading the way.

2.     COLD SPRING HARBOR (7-4)

Coach: Jon Mendreski, seventh year

Five key players: Dan D’Amelio, OL/DL, Sr.; Bryce Kipnes, RB/LB, Sr.; Caden O’Connor, WR/DB, Sr.; CJ Reilly, QB/DB, Sr.; Reagan Reilly, TE/LB, Jr.

The Seahawks: Following its appearance last year against North Shore, Cold Spring Harbor aims to return to the county final and secure the title this time around. Reilly will be the focal point after passing for 499 yards and four touchdowns, as well as rushing for 330 yards and nine touchdowns. One of his top targets, O’Connor, had 12 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns.

3.     SEAFORD (9-1)

Coach: Michael Corcoran, second year

Five key players: Hunter Cole, C/LB, Sr.; Sean Costello, QB, Sr.; Jason Donovan, OT/DT, Sr.; Kevin Knox, FB/LB, Sr.; Devin O’Donnell, TE/LB, Jr.

The Vikings: Seaford will have new starters at almost every position after falling to Cold Spring Harbor in the county semifinals. One of a few primary returners will be Costello to lead the offense. O’Donnell, who had 31 tackles and five sacks last season, will help orchestrate the defensive unit.

4.     CLARKE (7-3)

Coach: Kevin O’Hagan, second year

Five key players: Nick Ianunnci, WR/LB, Sr.; Daniel McGrady, OL/LB, Sr.; Tom Roche, WR/DB, Sr.; Justin Somyak, RB/DB, Sr.; Anthony Velez, OL/DL, Jr.

The Rams: Coming off last season’s county semifinal appearance against eventual Long Island Class IV champion North Shore, Clarke will look to make another run toward the county title this season. Somyak is expected to lead the way out of the backfield. He tallied 51 carries for 376 yards and six touchdowns last year.

5.     MALVERNE (4-5)

Coach: Kito Lockwood, 13th year

Five key players: Jedidiah Aidelogie, OL/DE, Jr.; Norman Brown, RB/LB, Sr.; Sylvain Castion, WR/DB, Sr.; Farvens Ulysse, QB, Sr.; Armondo White, QB/WR/DB, Sr.

The Mules: Malverne expects to present an offensive attack that displays plenty of balance between the running and passing games. Brown had 80 carries for 525 yards and five touchdowns last season. Ulysse also returns under center for his senior season.

6.     EAST ROCKAWAY (4-5)

Coach: Russell Pajer, 28th year

Five key players: Chris Becker, OL/DL, Sr.; John Giannotti, RB/DB, Sr.; Tyler Hyland, QB/LB, Sr.; Colin Sharkey, TE/LB, Sr.; Chase Vertuccio, TE/DE, Sr.

The Rocks: East Rockaway will look to build upon its first-round playoff appearance last season. Giannotti is primed to be a force in all three phases once again. He had 109 carries for 657 yards, six touchdowns, 19 tackles, seven passes defensed, one interception and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2021.

7.     WEST HEMPSTEAD (5-4)

Coach: Dom Carre, 13th year

Five key players: Michael AbiAoun, FB/MLB, Sr.; A’Lorenz Chatman, RB/SS, Sr.; Brendan Close, TE/LB, Sr.; Jurrel Hall, WR/DB, Sr.; Corey Pierre, QB/FS, Sr.

The Rams: After an injury-plagued 2021, West Hempstead hopes to take the next step in its progression this season. The Rams will look to throw the ball more with Pierre, who rushed for 300 yards and five touchdowns last year. AbiAoun, who had 65 tackles and two forced fumbles, will solidify the defense.

8.     ISLAND TREES (4-5)

Coach: Ryan Vinberg, second year

Five key players: Michael Coppeto, RB/LB, Sr.; Joseph Meyer, WR/DB, Sr.; Ben Quinn, WR/DB, Sr.; Nicholas Saragossi, QB, Sr.; Paul Tromblee, OL/DE, Sr.

The Bulldogs: Island Trees enters the season with a new offensive line and will look to have a strong running attack. Coppeto had 48 carries for 338 yards last season. Saragossi is also a threat to run at quarterback in the triple option scheme.

9.     LOCUST VALLEY (2-6)

Coach: Michael Gilbert, first year

Five key players: Nick Capobianco, OL/DL, Jr.; Nick Capozzi, OL/DL, Sr.; Dom Gangi, WR/DB, Jr.; Avery Sessler, RB/LB, Sr.

The Falcons: Gilbert has high expectations of turning around Locust Valley’s fortunes in his first year at the helm. He hopes to “inspire the team to be in the best physical condition of all opponents.” Gilbert also has his sights set on a winning season and being a playoff contender.

10.  MINEOLA (2-6)

Coach: Tim Wienclaw, second year

Five key players: Francisco Benitez, LB/DL, Sr.; Pete Irish, WR/DB, Sr.; Tommy Renner, WR/DB, Sr.; Jack Ryan, QB/DB, Sr.; Luke Santaniello, OL/DL, Sr.

The Mustangs: Mineola will look to bounce back this year in Wienclaw’s second season as head coach. Ryan brings experience and leadership under center and is joined by other seniors on the outside in Renner and Irish. Santaniello possesses a physical presence on both lines at 6-2, 220 pounds.

11.  VALLEY STREAM SOUTH (1-7)

Coach: Joe Guastafeste, eighth year

Five key players: Jonathan Diaz, OL/DL, Sr.; Michael Hernandez, QB/DB, Jr.; Diayaan Mir, RB/DB, Sr.; Aiden Mitchell, OL/DL, Sr.; Nicholas Parisi, TE/LB, Sr.

The Falcons: Valley Stream South aims to rebound from a difficult campaign last year with a quality combination of physicality and athleticism. Guastafeste said this is “Probably one of the more athletic groups I have ever had at South.” Parisi demonstrated some of that last season, hauling in seven receptions for 127 yards and notching 22 tackles.

12.  CARLE PLACE/WHEATLEY (3-5)

Coach: Mike Yoo, first year

Five key players: Chris Demicco, WR/DB, Sr.; Jordan Gazit, QB/DB, Sr.; Greg Michelis, OL/DL, Sr.; Carmine Monaco, TE/DE, Sr.; Daniel Webber, OL/DL, Jr.

The Frogs: Gazit was thrust into the starting role last year due to injuries. Carle Place/Wheatley is now hopeful that gaining experience last season will help him propel the team back to the postseason. Incoming sophomore running back/linebacker Nick Moretta could have an immediate impact and “may be the best player on the team,” according to Yoo.

13.  LAWRENCE (2-5)

Coach: Pat Palleschi, first year

Five key players: Jared Alexander, WR/DB, Sr.; Zaire Garraway, QB/DB, Jr.; Jahking King, WR/DE, Sr.; Kody Kirchner, WR/DB, Sr.; Jackson Mondesir, RB/DE, Sr.

The Golden Tornadoes: Lawrence hopes to build upon its strong 2021 season finale, a 20-0 victory over Carle Place. The Golden Tornadoes will lean on Mondesir, who had five rushing touchdowns and 35 tackles last year. They will also rely on the speed and athleticism of Alexander, Garraway and Kirchner.

14.  OYSTER BAY (2-6)

Coach: Andrew Caramico, first year

Five key players: Joe Gotti, DE, Jr.; Cameron Ingibritsen, RB/LB, Sr.; Colin O’Toole, QB, Jr.; Alex Zavala, MLB, RB, Sr.

The Baymen: In his first season as head coach, Caramico is “looking to restore the program’s tradition with new staff and culture.” He will rely heavily on Ingibritsen and Gotti to do so. Ingibritsen led the team on the ground with the most rushing yards and touchdowns in 2021, while Gotti was first in both tackles and sacks.