Football West 09-08-2022

2022 HERALD High School Football Preview

V.S. SOUTH

Falcons bank on mix of
returnees, newcomers

NBy TONY BELLISSIMO receiver by trade in a long time,” An exciting home Michael Hernandez
o stranger to Conference IV, Guastafeste said. “Michael is a schedule for the Falcons
Valley Stream South is back dual threat with great football begins in Week 2 with NICK PARISI
in the lowest-enrollment IQ. He was our leading receiver a visit from Seaford.
grouping after a three-year stay in last year and got one start at October includes two dates Schedule
Conference III. quarterback. He puts nice touch on to circle on the calendar. South
the ball.” hosts its first-ever night game Oct. September
Coming off a 1-7 campaign, 14 versus Locust Valley, and eight 9 @ Carle Place 6:00 p.m.
the Falcons are banking on a large Senior tight end Nick days later welcomes in Lawrence 17 Seaford 2:00 p.m.
number of second-year varsity Parisi and junior slot receiver Prince for Homecoming. “We want the 24 @ Oyster Bay 2:00 p.m.
players as well as some newcom- Meeks are the leading weapons in atmosphere for those to be amaz- October
ers from a strong JV team to help the passing game. Parisi is a third- ing,” Guastafeste said. 1 Mineola 3:00 p.m.
them compete for a playoff spot. year starter on both sides of the 7 @ Malverne 7:00 p.m.
They’re seeded 11th (out of 14) ball and will keep linebackers hon- JONATHAN DIAZ 14 Locust Valley 6:30 p.m.
and open at Carle Place. est if they stack the box. He also DIAYAAN MIR 22 Lawrence 2:00 p.m.
has the best hands on the team, 29 @ West Hemp. 2:00 p.m.
“We can’t control or worry Guastafeste noted. Like Parisi,
about which conference we’re in Meeks was on the field for every Photos by Donovan Berthoud
and who we’re playing,” head meaningful snap last season and
coach Joe Guastafeste said. “We is an experienced two-way starter.
have to focus on ourselves and “He’s extremely athletic and had
what we need to do every day to a growth spurt,” the coach said of
get better. We’re not just going to Meeks, who will also be a factor
show up and beat teams. on return units.

“We had a good spring in Senior Daiyaan Mir is the
2021 but that was a senior-heavy featured running back who suf-
team and we weren’t able to fered a broken wrist in last year’s
duplicate that success,” he added. opener and was unable to return.
“One positive thing we took from He’ll also play linebacker. “He’s
last season is we had a lot of unproven on Saturday afternoons
juniors get a ton of playing time. but everyone around here knows
Guys worked hard in the weight his talent level,” Guastafeste
room and in 7 on 7s all sum- said. At wing back, junior Lonnie
mer, and they’re motivated and Creech brings size and athleticism.
hungry.” He’ll contribute on jet sweeps and
help set the edge as a blocker.
This summer was “the first in
quite a while,” Guastafeste said, Up front, senior center
the Falcons competed in 7 on 7 Jonathan Diaz anchors both lines
drills. They went up against Valley as a third-year starter. “He’s a
Stream Central, Valley Stream true workhorse and an excellent
North and East Rockaway. Those shotgun snapper,” Guastafeste
weekly matchups helped junior said. Senior Michael Brooks is a
quarterback Michael Hernandez steady pulling guard and line-
fine tune his skills and develop backer entering his second season
chemistry with a bunch of his tar- as a starter. Senior Aidan Mitchell
gets. He was the JV signal-caller as and junior Brandon Ocasio are
a freshman in the spring of 2021 projected to start at tackle and
and spent last fall as a receiver/ guard, respectively.
cornerback. It remains to be seen if
Hernandez will continue his role as Ocasio and classmates
a defensive starter. Michael Sukhu and Aiden Chance,
“We haven’t had a true quarter- both defensive back/receivers, are
back who’s not a running back or some of last year’s JV standouts
looking to make an impact at the
next level.

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2022 HERALD High School Football Preview

CRUUTGEPRS

Rutgers Cup History

The Rutgers Cup is presented annually to the most outstanding foot-
ball team in Nassau County. Garden City was last year’s recipient.
The Trojans won county and L.I. titles. A list of the winners:

2021 GARDEN CITY 1978 FARMINGDALE THE PUBLISHERS AND STAFF OF THE
2020 MANHASSET 1977 NEW HYDE PARK
2019 1976 Congratulates the Garden City High School football team
2018 PLAINEDGE 1975 FARMINGDALE and its coaches on the remarkable achievement
2017 FREEPORT 1974 FARMINGDALE of winning the Rutgers Cup last season.
2016 GARDEN CITY 1973
2015 GARDEN CITY 1972 CAREY
2014 FARMINGDALE 1971 SYOSSET
2013 1970 FARMINGDALE
2012 CAREY 1969 FARMINGDALE
2011 CAREY 1968 SYOSSET
2010 LAWRENCE 1967 FREEPORT
2009 EAST MEADOW 1966 MASSAPEQUA
2008 FREEPORT 1965 MINEOLA
2007 GARDEN CITY 1964 HICKSVILLE
2006 FREEPORT 1963 MASSAPEQUA
2005 FARMINGDALE 1962 EAST MEADOW
2004 LAWRENCE 1961 FREEPORT
2003 GARDEN CITY 1960 HEMPSTEAD
2002 ROOSEVELT 1959 LAWRENCE
2001 FREEPORT 1958 MINEOLA
2000 BETHPAGE 1957 FREEPORT
1999 WANTAGH 1956 FREEPORT
1998 FREEPORT 1955 MANHASSET
1997 ROOSEVELT 1954 FREEPORT
1996 GARDEN CITY 1953 LAWRENCE
1995 FREEPORT 1952 MINEOLA
1994 DIVISION 1951 BALDWIN
1993 BETHPAGE 1950 MEPHAM
1992 MASSAPEQUA 1949 HEMPSTEAD
1991 BETHPAGE 1948 MEPHAM
1990 GARDEN CITY 1947 GLEN COVE
1989 FARMINGDALE 1946 BALDWIN
1988 MALVERNE 1945 HEMPSTEAD
1987 MASSAPEQUA 1944 HEMPSTEAD
1986 HEMPSTEAD 1943 MINEOLA
1985 SEWANHAKA 1942 BAY SHORE
1984 HEMPSTEAD 1941 GLEN COVE
1983 HEMPSTEAD 1940 FREEPORT
1982 HEMPSTEAD 1939 HEMPSTEAD
1981 NEW HYDE PARK 1938 LAWRENCE
1980 DIVISION 1937 HEMPSTEAD
1979 DIVISION OCEANSIDE
MASSAPEQUA LAWRENCE
SEWANHAKA

52 — September 8, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

B SAFE RUBBER MULCH
-
2.000 x 9.750
1183431
4C

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2022 HERALD High School Football Preview

WANTAGH

Warriors loom dangerous
with experience

OBy TONY BELLISSIMO said. “He’s a sharp route runner Zervos takes over kicking Nick Cupelli
n the heels of winning with good hands.” duties.
the Nassau Conference IV ANTHONY REALE
championship in the spring Junior Jake Martini, who was The Warriors are
of 2021, Wantagh had another an integral part of the defense last seeded fourth in Confer- Schedule
strong season in the fall with a season with 5 interceptions as a ence III behind defend-
mark of 8-2 in Conference III but a shutdown corner, is set to play a ing champion Plainedge, September 7:00 p.m.
frustrating ending. larger offensive role at fullback. Bethpage, and newcomer 9 Hewlett
He’ll get some carries, and his Carey. They open against Hewlett 17 @ Bethpage 2:00 p.m.
The Warriors, making their blocking skills will come in handy before renewing the rivalry with 24 Division 2:00 p.m.
25th playoff appearance in 26 with only two starters returning to Bethpage. 30 @ V.S. North 6:30 p.m.
seasons, were nipped by rival the offensive line. October
Bethpage in the semifinals. “We “The conference is outstand- 7 @ Carey 7:00 p.m.
wanted a rematch with Plainedge Antony Tsakos is a three- ing and deep,” Sachs said. “We 15 Floral Park 2:00 p.m.
in the finals, but Bethpage had sport standout (wrestling/lacrosse) have a lot of newness and only 22 Plainedge 2:00 p.m.
three or four big plays and we and the anchor of the Warriors’ one scrimmage to help us figure 29 @ Glen Cove 2:00 p.m.
came up short as a result,” Want- front five at left guard. He’s also a things out.”
agh head coach Keith Sachs said. third-year starting defender with 8 Photos by Karen Millindorf
“We’re looking to be back in the career sacks. “He’s a stud athlete ANTHONY TSAKOS
hunt and we’re good and skilled, who’s probably going to be All- JOSEPH LEGOVICH
but we’re not returning a whole lot County in three sports,” Sachs said.
of starting experience.”
Senior Richie Benkovic is a
Among the many depar- strong kid who works hard, the
tures was All-Long Island guard/ coach noted, and returns as the
linebacker Liam Casey, All-State starting tackle on the left side
running back/linebacker Tyler Mar- to form a one-two punch with
tini, who gained more than 2,000 Tsakos. Senior Franco Valentino is
yards, and fellow talented rushers a potential two-way starter who’s
Sean Carlo and Mark Maniet. vying for the center position,
However, the backfield is far from and Sachs expects senior Mike
bare as senior Nick Cupelli has 15 Piscopo and junior Paul Fontana
career touchdowns and over 1,000 to contribute to the group.
yards.
At quarterback, senior Joseph
“Nick had 5 touchdowns last Legovich returns after starting all
year and he only got a handful 10 games last season and totaling
of carries each week because of 650 yards and 8 touchdowns
everyone else we had,” Sachs through the air. “He has as much
said. “He’s lightning fast and an talent as any quarterback we’ve
exceptional athlete. He’s capable had in a while,” Sachs said. “He
of having a huge season.” has a great arm and is probably
our fastest player too. He checks
Senior Anthony Reale, who in every box and we may throw it
the spring of 2021 had the game- more and use all the weapons we
winning touchdown reception have.”
against North Shore in the county
title game, is a dynamic receiver If Reale becomes a wing
who could move to wing back. back, junior TJ Carlo, a 6-foot-4
He also serves as the face of the wideout stepping up from JV, will
defense as a third-year starting be someone Legovich targets
safety. “Anthony led us in catches downfield. Another option is junior
and touchdown receptions, but 6-5 tight end Thomas Conway,
we want to get him even more who had a two-touchdown game
involved in the offense,” Sachs in 2021.

On special teams, Reale,
Cupelli and Martini headline the
return units, whilst junior Nico

54 — September 8, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

2022 HERALD High School Football Preview

WEST HEMPSTEAD

Staying healthy top
priority for Rams

TBy TONY BELLISSIMO player Carre compares to former during the offseason into the start- Michael AbiAoun
he No. 1 wish for West NFL bulldozer Mike Alstott, who’s ing tackle spot opposite Clark.
Hempstead head coach Dom a member of the Tampa Bay Buc- JURREL HALL
Carre this fall is a healthy caneers’ Ring of Honor. AbiAoun Defensively, Carre is excited
roster. and Pierre are West Hempstead’s about the linebacker corps and Schedule
first captains in 12 years. secondary. “Those guys are September
“It’s football, so you’re always all ball hawks and smart,” 9 @ Seaford 6:00 p.m.
going to get banged up with inju- “Michael has thick legs and he said. AbiAoun, Balthazard, 17 @ Oyster Bay 2:00 p.m.
ries,” Carre said. “Last year it never is very tough to tackle,” Carre Close and senior Stephen 24 Lawrence 2:00 p.m.
stopped We were missing guys all said. “He’s a leader that other kids Coppola lead the ‘backers, with 30 C.S. Harbor 6:30 p.m.
year and never really put our full gravitate towards. On defense he’s Chapman and Hall shaping the October
team on the field.” just a tackling machine. He moves secondary. 8 @ Locust Valley 2:00 p.m.
well and loves contact.” 15 North Shore 2:00 p.m.
Despite a rash of injuries, the Close is also an expe- 21 @ Malverne 7:00 p.m
Rams still managed to split eight AbiAoun has plenty of rienced punter. It’s an open 29 V.S. South 2:00 p.m.
regular-season games and qualify company in the backfield. Senior competition for the kicking job.
for the Conference IV playoffs as A’Lorenz Chapman is a quality Photos by Christina Daly
the No. 5 seed. They lost at Cold rusher looking to build off his ALORENZ CHAPMAN
Spring Harbor in the first round. experience from the past two COREY PIERRE
seasons, Carre explained. There’s
“If we want to go deeper also Jonathan Balthazard, a senior
in the playoffs, we need to stay and an X-factor after missing all
healthy and answer some ques- but one game last season. “Jon is
tions we’ve got on the line,” Carre very consistent and even-keeled,”
said. the coach said. “He’s a patient
ball-carrier. He waits for an open-
West Hempstead is seeded ing to develop and he’s fast once
7th in the 14-team conference and he gets going.”
opens under the Friday night lights
at Seaford. The Rams also get Senior Jurrell Hall is a pure
Cold Spring Harbor and defending wide receiver with sure hands
county and Long Island champion who also returns kickoffs and
North Shore within a 3-week span punts. “He runs crisp routes and
in October. “I love the atmosphere he’s aggressive going up to get
at Seaford and playing a night the ball,” Carre said. “We’re
game right off the bat,” Carre said. looking for him to be a bigger
part of the offense so teams can’t
Senior fullback/linebacker stack the box against our running
Michael AbiAoun, who earned game.”
All-County honors last season, and
senior quarterback Corey Pierre Senior Brendan Close is an
return to lead an offense that pri- important two-way contributor at
marily relies on the ground attack. tight end and linebacker. He’ll add
some blocking reinforcement to
“I do think we’ll pass a little an inexperienced line and brings
more with Corey’s experience,” grit to both sides of the ball. Junior
Carre said. “He’s our catalyst wideouts Gavin Lee and Niko
and I can’t say enough about the Adikmemenakis are up from JV.
kid. He started every game last
season after being the JV starting A few spots on the of-
quarterback in the spring season. fensive and defensive lines will be
He’s super athletic and can run as determined during camp. Senior
well as throw on the move. We’re Dan Clark is a solid two-way
looking for him to take the next performer and the lone full-time
step.” starting returnee. Senior Giuseppe
D’Agosto tops the depth chart at
AbiAoun is a three-year center, while senior Diego Quijada
starter and a physical throwback will look to parlay his hard work

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ORLIN & COHEN C/O
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LIAMS
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1182967
4C

56 — September 8, 2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS