LI Fall I 2011 by Ultimate Athlete Magzine

LONG ISLAND EDITION FALL VOL. I 2011

TOP TEAMS TO WATCH

Editor Letter From The Editor

Ultimate Athlete Magazine

Hey fans! I hope everyone is ready for some football! Here you have it – Ultimate Athlete Magazine’s preview for the 2011 football season. In this edition, we’ll catch up with some of the top notch football programs here on Long Island to see how they are preparing to make this season one for the record books. We’ll start off with the reigning Long Island Champions from last year; Freeport, Bellport, Lynbrook and John Glenn. Some of these teams are getting used to the spotlight with their focused athletes, talented coaching staff, supportive communities and overall strong programs consistently backing them. How do they plan on living up to last year’s title? Do they have the drive and teamwork in them to capture the crown again? Throughout the magazine you’ll also be able to join us as we preview other teams whose rosters and preseason rankings are causing UA and other top high school sports analysts to stay in tune and up to date with them as the season unravels. I hope you enjoy reading about your favorite football teams in this preview, and you check back with us next month as we turn the spotlight over to the other fall sports! If you don’t see your favorite school or team in this edition and would like to see them in a future magazine, be sure to send us an e-mail to info@ultimateatheltemagazine.com! You can also ﬁnd us, “like” us, and send us any questions or comments on facebook at www.facebook.com/uamagazine.

PUBLISHER/CEO EXECUTIVE EDITOR SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR SENIOR PRODUCER SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SPORTS EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

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MEDIA CORRESPONDENT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Paul Corace N.J. Comanzo Jose Luis Covarrubias Jessica Peters Jeyathas Ponnuthurai Mike Browning Kaitie Monda Adriana Kijko Erik Schlenker Nicholas Herms Mike McInerney Mike Raimo Nadine O’Farrell Taylor Woods Richard Brooks

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Gene Morris Ed Jennett Kevin Freiheit Jason Pollak Jaclynkelli Kronemberg Miscelleana Rhinehart

Luis Vazquez Rob Sutter Joe Pietaro Mike Mejia, cscs Joseph Sudberg Dr. Tom Ferraro

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Morgan Harrison Adil Borluca Andrew Adler Jason Pollak

Enjoy! Jessica Peters UA Magazine

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ultimateathletemagazine.com ultimate Ultimate Athlete Magazine (ISSN 1931-5295) is published 12 times a year by Ultimate Athlete, Inc., 40 Woodbine Avenue, Northport, New York 11768. All contents copyright 2009 by Ultimate Athlete, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or part of the content without the prior written consent of Ultimate Athlete, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Although the writers and the publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Ultimate Athlete, Inc or Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete Magazine.

FALL 2011 Volume I

Conten

Features Featur nts 2010 CHAMPIONS 12 Freeport

Red Devils Football

16 Bellport

Clippers Football

20 Lynbrook Owls Football

24 John Glenn Knights Football

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH 28 William Floyd

68 Lawrence

34 Amityville

74 Newfield

Colonials Football Warriors Football

38 Sayville

Golden Flashes Football

42 Garden City Trojans Football

46 East Islip

Redmen Football

52 Seaford

Viking Football

Tornados Football

Wolverines Football

80 Sachem North

Flaming Arrows Football

84 Roosevelt Rough Riders

88 Sports Psychology

The Problem with Perfectionism

60 Farmingdale

90 UA Training

64 H. F. Carey

94 Pro Corner

Dalers Football

Seahawks Football

A Whole Different Ball Game More Than a Game

>>>

Photo by Morgan Harrison

Freeport defensive backs leap to intercept a pass during a drill at a preseason practice.

SPEED

SHUTTER

SPEED

Farmingdale wide receiver catches a pass for a touchdown during a scrim>>> Amage against Elwood.

Photo by Morgan Harrison

football

Freeport COACH RUSS CELLAN Nassau Conference I 2010 LI Champions

11-1 Record

Story by

Gene Mo

rison

rgan Har

s by Mo ris | Photo

here’s no doubting the power of the Freeport football program. Winning three consecutive Nassau County titles and two straight Long Island championships will do that for you. This year the Red Devils return a big chunk of an explosive offense that put up 62 points against William Floyd in last year’s LIC and is poised to hang lots of points on any team they face in 2011.

T T

Quarterback Isaiah Barnes returns for his senior season as one of the top players to watch on Long Island. Barnes set a Long Island championship game record in 2010 by rushing for six touchdowns and throwing another. While Barnes noted that the Long Island championship game was probably the biggest moment of the season, it was a game in late October against Oceanside that he said really put the team on the winning track. “A lot of people think the LIC game was big, but Oceanside at our place…” Barnes said. “We were down 21-0 and we came back and beat them 42-39 in overtime. So that was the best experience, right after our running back scored the winning touchdown it was complete jubilation.” The win over Oceanside clinched the top seed for the Red Devils in the playoffs. They ran over Baldwin 48-0 in the quarterfinals and defeated Syosset 39-25 in the semifinals to set up a championship showdown with Farmingdale. The Dalers dealt Freeport its only loss earlier in the season. Like the first matchup in September, Freeport-Farmingdale was once again a three point game. The difference was that the Red Devils came out on top to secure the county championship. “It’s always a great game whenever we play them,” Barnes said of the battles with Farmingdale. Head Coach Russ Cellan returns for his 26th season on the sideline at Freeport. Never a stranger to winning, Cellan still instills hard work and grittiness in his team. “Shut up and hit” has been the motto for Freeport this season, and although the skill positions are back in force, a young offensive line will be tested early on. “Our skill guys are very good, our quarterback and receivers,” Cellan said. “They’re guys with experience, they’re very good. We’re very young at the line position and a little undersized, we’re nothing like we were last year but they’re coming along. Every day we’re a little better.” One of those skill position players is wide receiver Jere Brown. The 5-foot-10 senior may lack in size but he makes up for it with speed and heart. He names DeSean Jackson and Wes Welker as his favorite players because of their size and determination.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Senior Quarterback/Safety

Isaiah Barnes

Senior Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back

Jere Brown

Senior Off/Def Line

Ken Berryhill

Brown likened the Freeport team to a football family, and he would know. Brown’s father was the strength and conditioning coach at Freeport for years and Brown grew up around the program. He knows what it takes to get his team to the next level. “We always look for that championship,” Brown said. “Out here practice is 100 times harder than it is in games. Every practice we increase the intensity.” With the championship pedigree already in place, another year chasing a championship is underway in Freeport. Gaudy statistics and lots of points on the scoreboard are sure to follow. “Personal stats, they’ll come with the wins and stuff,” Barnes said. “But my main goal is to win the Long Island Champion Championship.”

Bellport Clippers Story by Ed Jennett | Photos by Morgan Harrison

Football

DIFFERENT DIVISION, BUT BELLPORT SEEKING SAME RESULT

he Clippers. The Junk Yard Dogs. While those are the official mascot and nickname of the Bellport football team, a third should probably be added. The Standard Bearers. Bellport has a long tradition of success, and is looking to have yet another traditional successful season, despite circumstances that could potentially lead to a challenging year. This past season was a huge rebound for Bellport. Head Coach Joe Cipp III was not pleased with the disappointing efforts of the squad the prior year. “The big problem the year before (last) was that we had a lot of unfocused seniors,” explained Cipp. Despite a rough start to the season last year, the Junk Yard Dogs quickly came together to become a force and properly represent the school colors of red, blue, and white. That rapid rebound led them to the Long Island Championship game. Bellport’s title quest resembled its season, as both began in rocky fashion. The Clippers fell behind 7-0 to Garden City, but rallied to take a 20-14 lead over the Trojans into half time. Bellport eventually won the game and the Class I Long Island Championship by a final score of 26-21.

COACH JOE CIPP III 2010 Long Island Class II Champions 5-3 league 9-3 overall

The Clippers are switching divisions this season from Division II to Division III, and will be facing all new opponents. But because the Junk Yard Dogs are also the defending Division II champions they will be much more of a target than a team normally would be upon switching divisions. Bellport will have several key returning players to help them meet the challenge. The Junk Yard Dogs key players and team leaders are senior defensive back Eddie Carson, senior quarterback Justin Honce, senior offensive guard Matt Van Riper, and senior wide receiver/defensive back Travis Correa. All four players have experience playing with the varsity squad. “We have some other seniors that we are looking at to step up,” Cipp added.

While Honce is definitely the leader on the offensive side of the ball, Carson, Nelson Briggs, Alejandro Morales, Armand Correa, and junior running back Nate Chavious are vital to it as well. Some of the Junk Yard Dogs top offensive players are also defensive stand outs for the Clippers as well. Briggs is the squad’s defensive captain, while Carson, Morales, Travis Correa, and Armand Correa excel on the defensive side of the ball for Bellport as well. “All of our games are going to be big starting with Comsewogue our first game of the year” said Cipp. “Huntington is our week two opponent.” Cipp is also aware that his inexperienced squad eventually has to face the number one ranked team in the division. “Sayville is ranked number one and we play them October 15th at their place.” Whether or not Bellport is satisfied with its season at that point or not, the game has the potential to be of great importance and even have playoff implications. “The top eight get into the playoffs, we’re hoping to get into the top eight, currently ranked number two,” explained Cipp. “We started 2-3 in Division II (last season) and then won seven in a row to win the Long Island Championship.” “We feel they are capable of it, but it’s up to them,” he added. “The weakness of the squad would be that they lost nine players on both sides of the ball,” said Cipp. “We’re going to have to have guys step up.” Some of those players stepping up will help build what is expected to be a major part of the team’s success. “Our offensive line will be our strength,” said Cipp. “The offensive line only has one player returning while none of the defensive line is back. We have some guys up from junior varsity and some senior backups.” The coaching staff is also very pleased with all of their skill players. While Cipp believes in his squad and its chances for success this season, he does acknowledge there is a lot of work that has to be done before they reach the level of play they are trying to attain. The Clippers had gone through what Cipp described as a “really bad morning practice” shortly before speaking to Ultimate Athlete Magazine. “Guys who thought they were in shape found out they weren’t,” said Cipp. “Going to try to get better and improve that in scrimmages.” The Junk Yard Dogs have a tremendous history as a Long Island football powerhouse. Bellport has won six Long Island Championships, 11 Suffolk County Championships, and has an overall record of 215-89-4. The Clippers were named “The Team of the Decade” for having the most wins (72) of any team in Suffolk County from 1990-1999. “The goal is the same every year, to win the championship,” said Cipp. “So we’re trying to reload the gun and get it done for 2011.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Senior Quarterback

Justin Honce

Senior Defensive Back

Eddie Carson

Senior Running Back

Armand Correa

Senior Defensive Captain

Nelson Briggs

Senior Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back

Travis Correa

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Offensive Guard

Matt Van Riper

Junior Running Back

Nate Chavious

Story by Kevin Freiheit / / Photos by Adil Borluca ne family. One heartbeat.” That’s the motto Head Coach Steven LoCicero and the Lynbrook Owls varsity football team uses. After winning it all this past season and advancing to the County Finals three times in five years, there is a reason why the Owls consider themselves a family rather than a team. “We have team-oriented kids who care about the team more than individual statistics,” said LoCicero. “They are tighter and closer than any team I have ever had. It’s enjoyable and they have a huge opportunity to succeed.” Last year’s route to the championship began with immediate success. A 33-0 triumph over Bethpage was just the beginning of what became the most offensive season in school history. In the first four games of the season, Lynbrook outscored its opponents 138-27, including a pair of shutouts. A 23-22 loss against Lawrence marked the only time the Owls failed to exceed 30 points in a game. The one point loss turned out to be the lone defeat that Lynbrook received last year. The Owls got a chance at revenge when they faced Lawrence again in the playoffs. A 39-14 victory allowed Lynbrook to head to the finals against Sayville, where the Owls succeeded and won by a 42-27 score. Lynbrook set a new school record by averaging 38 points per game and earning a total of 452 on the season. Lynbrook wasn’t just dominating on one side of the ball. Although they had a superior offensive team, the Owls’ defense may have been even better. The Owls allowed 154 points on the season and held opponents to an average of just under 13 points per game, setting a new school for both. “We adapt our offense to the current players,” said LoCicero. Heading into this season, the Owls are defending champions, but LoCicero said he is using a different mentality than most are used to. “Every year is another journey,” LoCicero said. “We look at each individual season as its own entity. We take that journey for the season and see where it takes us.” This year, the team will have to make up for the loss of some key players if another run at the championship is in sight.

COACH STEPHEN LOCICERO

2010 Long Island Division III Champions 7-1 Conference 11-1 Overall

“We have to replace a team that set a school rushing record,” LoCicero said. “What we’re trying to do this season is make up for the 389 yards/game we had last season.” The Owls amassed over 4,600 yards in 12 games last season. Replacing those players and statistics may not be an easy task, but LoCicero said he is confident in the team that he has this year.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

“This is one of the best camps as a whole I have ever had,” LoCicero said. “The team has been focused and is working hard with a positive attitude.”

Senior Quarterback, All-Conference 2010

Senior Outside Linebacker

Senior Offensive Tackle

Senior Right Tackle

Luke Spitzer

Matt Trotta

The Owls are looking to continue its success at home, where they went 5-0 last year. Lynbrook has been there for their fans and the fans have supported the team just as much, if not more. “The community supports this team tremendously,” said LoCicero. “Last year, stores were closed the day of the championship game. The amount of support is absolutely unbelievable.”

Dillon Bien

Jonathan Espinosa

The Owls are scheduled to play its first game on Sept. 10 against Glen Cove.

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS TO WATCH:

“This team is just as focused as others I’ve coached, but they are certainly living up to the tradition of Lynbrook football.”

Rocco Scibelli

Senior Tailback

Senior Wide Recievers

Alex Weingarten | Anthony Rainone | Nick LoCicero

JOHN GLENN Knights

Story and Photos by Jason Pollak

he John Glenn varsity football team is coming into this year strong. Last year the blue and white Knights finished undefeated. They went 8-0 in Conference IV play and 12-0 overall. In the postseason, they went on to beat Babylon for the Suffolk County Championship. They then beat a gritty Seaford team, 2827, to claim the coveted Long Island Championship. They are led by Head Coach Dave Shanahan, who has been at the helm of this great program for 17 years. It will be no easy achievement to repeat this year, but the players and coaches are well up to the challenge.

“It was a very special season,” Coach Shanahan said of last year’s achievements. “We were blessed to receive the Rutgers Trophy last year as well. It is a trophy handed out by the Suffolk County coaches. There were some great teams that we played, we were all honored.” It was no easy task to go undefeated as they had to battle teams such as Mt. Sinai, Bayport and Babylon. They will face the same, stiff competition yet again this season, but now with an added bonus. To make this season a bit more difficult, they will have to face

Amityville on a regular basis. This season Amityville is making the jump from Conference III to the already competitive Conference IV. However, the success and added competition to the conference has done nothing to deter the team and their focus. “Every year is a new year,” Coach Shanahan said of the challenge. “You have to teach the kids to work hard. Hopefully good things happen. Good luck has a something to do with it, but luck comes through hard work.” With eighteen seniors returning, the Knights have a solid core to build off of, the key ingredient to last year’s success. This year’s seniors would like to achieve the same success as last year’s team. This determination was on full display during practice as both the offense and defense were running full, pad on drills. They each took up one side of the field as they went through different drills to prepare themselves for the season.

COACH DAVE SHANAHAN 2010 Long Island Division IV Champions 8-0 Conference 12-0 Overall

The offense, led by senior quarterback Rich Czeczotka, was working on throwing routes with his receivers and offensive line. In an interesting tactic, the team used garbage pales to simulate the defensive line. The play would be called in from the sideline, then Czeczotka would communicate the play to his line, running backs and receivers. They worked on multiple passing routes and running plays, emphasizing timing and communication with one another. Each time the play would focus on a different player, making everyone in essence, a primary target. In a game-time situation, there is a very similar mindset. Anyone could be called upon at any time to make a play and these kids know that. It goes to show everyone needs to have their hands on deck and ready to go. They truly emphasize the term, team sport. Although no one was charging at the quarterback, the line still went about their business as if it was the final play in the game. In the 20 or so plays that were run, there was not a single false start, fumbled snap or miscommunication. This is a well organized and most importantly, focused offense. With returning tackles Kevin Dixon and Kevin Malloy, the bookends of the offensive line look strong. Dixon at 6’4’’ 220 and Malloy at 6’5’ 240 will prove to be hard to get around. Mark Lucien will also be a key on the line in the guard slot.

Elwood

Dixon said about starting this year, “Last year I got in to a couple of games. It definitely helped me prepare for this season. I play tackle, but we are pretty much interchangeable. I think we can make it back to the championship if we work hard. I worked out a lot in the offseason and I think I got much better.” This strong line will be helpful for starting

running back/defensive back Lameek Jarvis who is looking to make his final season at John Glenn a memorable one. This year his team will count on him to rack up the yardage all over the field. Whether it is out of the backfield or in the open as a receiver, he looks to be capable of breaking off a big play at any moment. He has a quick burst and is a sturdy, well built football player. “It’s all about playing as a team,” Jarvis said. “I want to do anything to help them. As captains, we brought some of the younger kids up to the track. I think we are going to be a strong team this year.” Another big offensive threat for the Knights is All-State receiver Nick Wagner. He had 29 receptions for 720 yards and 9 touchdowns last year. At defensive back he also added two interceptions. “My goal for this season is to do better than last year,” Wagner said. “I would like to add to my stats. Rich Czeczotka and I have been playing together since PAL, so there is some good chemistry there. I want this team to go all the way. We are just trying to get our bodies right and ready for the season.” It will not be easy, but this team is definitely not scared of anyone. With a rich history of winning and the taste of a Long Island Championship still in their mouths, these kids are starving for second helpings. However, once the season starts, last year’s accomplishments will be a thing of the past. It will though, be a token reminder of where this team wants to go and where their priorities are. This is a very tough minded team and they look have yet another spectacular season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Senior Offensive Tackle

Kevin Dixon

Senior Offensive Tackle

Kevin Malloy

Senior Receiver, All-State Honors 2010 Nick Wagner Senior Quarterback

Rich Czeczotka

Senior Running Back/ Defensive Back

Lameek Jarvis

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WILLIAM FLOYD

Colonials Football

By : Jaclynkelli Kronemberg | Photos By : Morgan Harrison

28 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

They enter the season with a preseason ranking of number one in Suffolk County’s Division I. “I feel like everyone is out to get us because we are the number one team in Suffolk County,” senior running back/ free safety Stacey Bedell said. “We just have to work hard in practice and take

Island for longest winning streak with 42 straight wins. “It’s amazing getting to work with coach Longo, he is a mastermind behind everything,” senior wide receiver Kenny Grimm said. “He comes up with plays out of no where and he reads defenses in a heartbeat.”

Coach Paul Longo 16th Season

Suffolk County - Division I Preseason ranking: 1 Record last year: 9-3

he William Floyd varsity football team is on a mission this year. They are out to redeem themselves after losing in the Long Island Championship game. The loss left a bad taste in their mouth and the team is ready to do what it takes to get back there and win. “We have a lot of seniors and a lot of juniors,” junior quarterback AJ Otranto said. “We are an experienced team this year, especially since we made it to the Long Island Championship last year as a primarily young team. I have great confidence that we will get back there and take it all this year.” The last three years Floyd has made it to the Long Island Championship game. “This team is driven to succeed,” Head Coach Paul Longo said, “Kids come on this team with high expectations. We are not happy with just making the playoffs or just the division title we are always expected to go far.”

it one week at a time and we should do good. We are always the team to beat every year.” The driving force behind this team is head coach Paul Longo. Longo is entering his 16th season as the head coach. “He is a great coach, he really does a lot for the team,” Otranto said. “He helps me out with a lot of different things, he helps me read defenses and during the game he is a great play caller.” Longo has three Long Island championships, seven Suffolk County titles, three Rutgers trophies and six division titles. He also has the record on Long

This season Floyd is returning an extremely talented group of players. Leading the team is Stacey Bedell a 5’10” 165lb senior running back and free safety. Bedell has started for three years for the team. Floyd tries to stay away from having players play two ways but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Bedell is one of the feature running backs in New York State and one of the best safety’s on Long Island. He is a phenomenal athlete that moves with speed and grace, like he was made for this game. Bedell was an All-Long Island selection last year and has already verbally committed to play football with Villanova University next year.

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Key players OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH Brandon Winters Senior offensive tackle All-County last year . “Brandon has great speed,” Longo said. “He is really athletic for a big guy.”

AJ Otranto Junior quarterback “AJ is one of the better quarterbacks on Long Island,” Longo said. “He has great poise for his age.”

30 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Stacey Bedell Senior running back / free safety All-Long Island selection last year. “Stacey is electrifying and fun to watch,” Longo said. “He is the best running back and safety on Long Island.

Denis Feise Senior offensive guard defensive tackle “Denis is the strongest player I’ve ever coached,” Longo said. “He can bench 245lbs 33 times in a row.”

“Stacey is a super kid and a super student that is a great role model for our younger kids,” Longo said. “He is electrifying and is the best running back and safety on Long Island this year.” AJ Otranto is another leader on this team. The 5’11” 175lb second year starting quarterback is entering his junior year after leading the team to the Long Island championship game as a sophomore. “AJ is one of the better quarterbacks on Long Island,” Longo said. “He has big game experience from starting for us last year. He does a good job running the ball and has great poise for someone his age.” Add in a powerful offensive line and Floyd is poised to have an explosive offense in 2011. Brandon Winters is another key component for this Floyd Team. Winters is a 6’4” 240lb senior offensive tackle. He received All-County honors last year. “Brandon has great speed,” Longo said. “He is really athletic for a big guy.” Denis Feise also plays a big role in

helping this team operate. Feise is a defense to know how to guard them. 6’0” 265lb defensive tackle and strong Being ranked number one means they have a tough schedule this season. guard. “Denis is the strongest player I’ve They are going to have some tough ever coached,” Longo said. “He bench- challenges with Sachem North, Brentwood and Longwood, but they are es 245lbs, 33 times in a row.” confident that they can go all the way. “Our offensive line is big and strong “This year we are going to be very and has a lot of experience,” senior offensive guard/defensive tackle Denis fast on defense,” Longo said. “We have Feise said. “Our quarterback has been a lot of returning starters so we have on varsity since eighth grade, he knows experience and those two things make what is going on. There are no words us stand out from other teams.” There are going to be a lot of big to describe Stacey, he is a great running back and is one of the top ones in games in Suffolk County Division I New York State. You can’t get any bet- this season. It’s going to be an exciting year to watch Floyd try and get back to ter than that.” The skill players on the outside are the Long Island Championship for the fourth year in a row. They are an exalso a strength for Floyd. tremely talented group of kids with the “We also have one of the best re- determination to get back to the Long ceiving corps on Long Island,” Longo Island championship and come home said. “Keith Scanlon, Jonathan Marti- with the win this time. nez, David Whitney, Vontrel Nash and “I love these kids,” Longo said. Kenny Grimm,” Longo said, naming his receivers. “We have a lot of offen- “They always work hard and they make coaching a lot of fun. We just have to sive weapons.” continue to play hard and hopefully it That’s another thing that makes this will all work out for us this season.” Floyd team seemingly unstoppable they are capable of coming at you in all directions, making it hard for any 31 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

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AMITYVILLE WARRIORS FOOTBALL

34 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Coach Chris Taylor 7th Season Suffolk County - Division IV Preseason ranking: 1 Record last season: 4-5

By : Jaclynkelli Kronemberg | Photos By : Morgan Harrison

he Amityville varsity football team enters the season ranked number one in Division IV in Suffolk County. They are moving back down to Division IV after a one year stint in Division III.

Glenn and Babylon.”

“We have high expectations this year,” head coach Chris Taylor said. “Changing divisions doesn’t make it easier for us because we will still be playing solid teams like John

“It’s going to be a great year,” Hatcher, a running back and linebacker said. “We have a lot of returning starters and we have players that are moving up from the freshman team

The high expectations in Amityville come from the fact that the team is returning its entire offensive core, including seniors Da’Rell Hatcher and Willie White.

last year. I think this is going to be a good season for us.” “We will be ready to play,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of returning starters, the coaches know what to expect and the kids know what to expect from playing last year.” Chris Taylor is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Amityville varsity football team. 35

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Ke y Pl ayer s

Jordan Myers Senior offensive/defensive lineman “Jordan is our best one on one blocker,” Taylor said. “He is one of the better linemen I’ve had at Amityville.”

Da’Rell Hatcher Senior running back and linebacker all county last year - “Da’Rell is a very talented player,” Taylor said, “He is the best running back I’ve had in the seven years I’ve been here.”

Willie White Senior wide receiver defensive back and kickoff and punt returner - “Willie is a dynamic, versatile player,” Taylor said, “He makes big plays when he gets the ball.”

OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH Sean Walters Sophomore quarterback free safety “Sean understands this game real well,” Taylor said. “As a sophomore he is running our offense and making the calls on defense.”

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“Coach is hard at times but I know he wants us to play to our full potential so I go out and give him my all every day,” White, a wide receiver and defensive back said. Last year, Taylor took the team to the ﬁrst round of the playoffs, where they lost to Sayville. This year they are out to redeem themselves and try to get further into the playoffs - and hopefully to the Long Island Championship. Amityville has a storied history dating back to the 1950s and 1960s and this team is trying to live up to that tradition. “We work hard and we love football,” sophomore Sean Walters said. “It feels good to play football for Amityville.” Walters is entering his second year as the team’s starting quarterback. “Our goals for this season are to make a run in the playoffs and to get to the Long Island Championship,” Taylor said. Amityville is hoping their experience will get them to the championship. White and Hatcher are two of the best returning players on Long Island. Hatcher is 6-foot, 200 pound three-year starter. Last year he received All-County honors after rushing for 1,150 yards and is going to be one of the dynamic running backs to keep an eye on this

season. Hatcher is also a force on the defense at the linebacker position. “Da’Rell is an excellent player one of the best running backs I have had in my seven years here,” Taylor said. “He catches the ball and runs with power, he can knock anyone down and he also is our big play maker on defense.” White is the other half of Amityville’s dynamic duo. He is a 5-foot-10, 170 pound wide receiver and he also plays defensive back. He is also the kickoff and punt returner. When White gets the ball he knows what to do and makes big plays for his team. “Willie is a versatile player, he is elusive when he has the ball,” Taylor said. “He is a great punt and kickoff returner and also a dynamic cover corner.” Jordan Myers is another key element to this team. Myers is a 6-foot-3, 290 pound senior offensive/defensive lineman. He is quick off the ball and it is hard to get around him. “Jordan is our best one on one blocker,” Taylor said. “He is one of the better linemen I’ve had in my seven years here and he has an excellent work ethic.”

But the leader of the offense and defense is Walters. Walters, at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, runs the offense and calls defensive plays from his safety position. He has great speed and thinks quick on his feet. Walters adapts to what is happening around him and knows what he needs to do to get his team to a victory. “Sean is a highly coachable, great athlete,” Taylor said. “He understands the game real well and he is a great teammate.” Since Suffolk County has had four divisions, Amityville has won ﬁve Suffolk County titles and two Long Island Championships. This year’s team is poised to make a run in the playoffs. They are ranked number one in their division because they have a lot of big play makers and they are hungry for a championship. Their ﬁrst big game of the year will be September 10 against Port Jefferson. “I feel real good about our team this year,” Taylor said. “We have good chemistry going. These are good kids, they get along well and I really enjoy working with this group.”

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SAYVILLE GOLDEN FL ASHE S F O O TB AL L By : Miscelleana Rhinehart | Photos By : Morgan Harrison

38 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Coach Rob Hoss

fter three rounds of overtime, the Sayville Golden Flashes walked off the ﬁeld victorious as the team redeemed themselves against a loss to Islip back in November. Both teams had played for a spot in the Long Island Championships with only one victor. Pushing to the very end, the Golden Flashes were named the Suffolk County Champions as they walked away with their ﬁnal season record of 10-2.

2010

the corner. The Golden Flashes start their weight training in December and continue throughout the year. In May, the team began on the ﬁeld 7-on-7 drills, which always continue through the summer. Once the summer ends, the Golden Flashes begin their regular season practices as the football season continues through to November.

Suffolk County Champions Division III team with every game that is played. The top three players to watch this season are Steven Ferreira, John Haggart and Tom Hannan, who each had high stats for the 2010 season.

This season may prove to be an even stronger season for the Golden Flashes as the team takes on the other Division III teams.

As quarterback, Ferreira had 139 completions and a total of 244 attempts. With 27 touchdowns, Ferreira brought his experience to the game, bringing the team closer to victory with every pass.

Head Coach Robert Hoss is optimistic about the team and its capabilities saying, “We have a nice balance of returning starters and a very strong junior class. We need to get solid contributions from our junior players in hopes of winning our 5th Long Island Championship.”

Haggart’s offense was also unstoppable for the 2010 season with 199 rushes, 1,256 yards gained and 23 touchdowns.

Robert Hoss has been head coach for the Golden Flashes for ten seasons. Aside from bringing the team to the Long Island Championship for four years, the Golden Flashes have been named the Big Four Champions seven years in a row. As a whole, the Golden Flashes work long and hard to bring the power and experience of the team together as the new season is around

On the defense, Hannan completed 30 tackles and two interceptions while his offense saw him produce 35 receptions with 618 yards gained.

The strength of the players reinforces the determination of the team as the Golden Flashes believe in their team motto through and through. The team stays uniﬁed, as the team motto is “Brothers Forever,” and brings the team together and propels them forward. The Golden Flashes team is strong with individuals who bring a dedication to the

Aside from the top players, Hoss named three other team members who play an important role for the team. The players are James Rupp WR/DB, Matt Ali TE/LB and Chris Lorenzo OL/DL. Each player brings their skills individually and as a team, as Hoss describes the team’s strength as being their “skilled positions.” Hoss also commented that areas of the team that could use improvement include, 39

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KEY PLAYERS OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH

Steven Ferreira

QB: 139 Completions -244 Attempts, 2,095 Yards, 27 Touchdowns, 9 Interceptions

John Haggart

RB/LB: 199 Rushes, 1,256 Yards, 23 Touchdowns

Tom Hannan

WR/DB: Offense: 35 Receptions, 618 Yards, 7 Touchdowns Defense: 30 Tackles, 2 Interceptions

James Rupp

WR/DB (26 Receptions, 383 Yards, 7 TD & 61 Tackles, 3 INT’s)

Matt Ali

TE/LB (86 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles)

Chris Lorenzo OL/DL

“experience on the offensive line. We have quality players that need to learn the nuisances of the spread offense.”

bring each player closer together, the Golden Flashes enjoy a well-rounded environment in which to grow as individuals and as a team.

Focus on the game is the most important focal point for the team. To build team unity is to build on the relationships on the ﬁeld. As a team, the Golden Flashes enjoy multiple pastimes together off the ﬁeld.

The Golden Flashes have been preparing for the upcoming season for months, and with their ﬁrst game being at home against Miller Place on September 10, the team should be ready to take on any opponent.

Team entertainment and activities include Friday night ﬁlms, Saturday morning breakfasts at the Sayville ﬁrehouse and Saturday morning movies in the locker room.

Hoss is looking forward to playing every team in the division, but says, “We don’t circle any one game or look forward to any one opponent. We only focus on the next opponent on the schedule. Looking past an opponent on your schedule is an unwise way to play out your season.”

With continuous practices to strengthen the team physically and outside diversions to 40 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

From Big Four Champions to taking on the Suffolk County Championship, the Golden Flashes have proved the team has what it takes to finish out a season strong. Although the final Long Island Championship was taken by the other team, the Golden Flashes are ready to work together and bring their team to the highest victory against their opponents. With strong stats and unified players, Hoss and the Golden Flashes may walk off the field victorious again and again as the months continue.

GARDEN CITY T R OJ A N S F OOT B A L L By : Jessica Peters | Photos By : Adil Borluca

42 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Coach Tom Flatley 27th Season Nassau County Conference II 2010 Records: 7-1 Conference 10-2 Overall

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he Garden City Trojans have always been a team that lives up to their warrior-esque name. This football team comes out strong every year with the determination to crush opponents and claim championship titles to bring back to their school that holds Long Island and State records for almost every sport. Under the tutelage of 27th year veteran coach Tom Flatley, this 2011 season is looking to have the potential for success on the grid iron, but the players will ﬁrst learn to ﬁll the shoes of last year’s graduated seniors. “We were pretty much wiped out due to graduation,” Head Coach Tom Flatley told Patch.com. “I’m not saying we’re going to be bad this season, I’m just not sure how good we’re going to be.”

KEY PLAYERS Mike Comisky - senior quarterback Mark Ellis - senior halfback/receiver Pat Berkery – senior halfback Ryan Norton - senior kicker

OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH Connor McDonnell Eugene Berkery Mike Gilbert Liam Kennedy Pete Cline

Last year’s experiences should provide a certain fire in the determination of this year’s Garden City team that will help them succeed. After a successful run in 2010, the Trojans claimed the Nassau County Conference II championship by beating H.F. Carey High School in the county championship game. With just one more team to beat for the top title of 2010, in the end it was Bellport who managed to rally with at 26-21 lead at the end of the Class II Long Island Championship game. With the vengeance of that loss firing up this year’s team, the Garden City roster is the next hurdle. The team will confidently rebuild after the graduation of most of the offensive and defensive lines, including three of last year’s strong players in All-County quarterback Tom Gordon, and running backs Stephen Jahelka and Brian Fischer. This year, they will have senior quarterback Mike Comisky leading the offense (with the support of sophomore quarterback Brett Stewart), backed by the talents of senior halfback/receiver Mark Ellis, and halfback Pat Berkery. Senior kicker Ryan Norton will also give the team stability with his consistent aim. Other names you can expect to hear from the announcer in the Garden City press box are linebacker Connor McDonnell, cornerback/linebacker Eugene Berkery, and safety Liam Kennedy. The season kicks off on Saturday, September 10th as Garden City takes on the Westbury Green Dragons at home.

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E AST I SLIP

Redmen Football

By : Luis Vazquez | Photos By : Morgan Harrison

ast Islip Football has been a portrait, a family portrait if you will, of success. Fueled by the camaraderie of key veteran players and a coach who has long-distanced himself from his father’s shadow, East Islip is single-minded in its desire to win a championship this year.

son which saw them appear in their fourth conference final in five years. Coach Ciampi, who is entering his 11th season, is looking to find ways to get over that final hurdle. Senior running back and linebacker Tyler Rigo also feels there is something still to be achieved this year.

“Our expectations here are pretty high, which they usually are every year,” said Coach Sal Ciampi. “We have a good amount of starters returning who we think are some pretty good players. That is our goal to at the least get back to that game and hopefully follow through and win it this year.”

“Obviously, you get there two years in a row and when you don’t win it obviously hurts but getting there is an accomplishment and hopefully this year we can go forward,” Rigo said.

The Redmen are coming off a 9-2 sea46 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

The closer Coach Ciampi gets to winning another title, the more nostalgic he gets over his current crew of players who have been with him for four years. Mem-

bers of this group started their varsity career coming off of a Long Island championship title year in 2007, and they are now the keys to providing a tidy bookend to their careers. “We have a couple of kids that have a tremendous amount of experience,” Coach Ciampi said. “After winning the Long Island championship in 2007 we were extremely young, and we even started two freshman linemen, Tom Collins and Mike White, who are still with us as seniors this year. It’s very rare for kids to end their career having started over 40 games. We have a couple of other kids who have a tremendous amount of experience as well, Tyler Rigo and Robert Scinoni, who will

Coach Sal Ciampi 2010 Overall Record 9-2

end their career having started close to 40 games. We think that that experience is going to serve them and serve the rest of the team well.” The Redmen will be the top seed going into this season. Their strengths will be on offense with a running game built around third year varsity back Tyler Rigo. He is determined to claim the top prize this year. “Our main goal is to just win the Long Island Championship,” Rigo said. “Hopefully this year we can take care of business.” On defense, nose guard Todd Collins and tackle Mike White, backed by Tyler Rigo at linebacker and 280-pound Dan Hayden should make them relentless this time around. Collins is extremely enthusias-

tic about his favorite place to be on the field. “I like the defensive line a lot better,” Collins said. “Defensively, you don’t have to think too much, just get off the ball and kill somebody, ya know.” In addition, Mike White feels there is a lot to offer on the D-Line. “Definitely up front, we’re a close unit. Joba at right tackle, me, Scinoni, Hayward, and Todd, we’ve been in the weight room for awhile now, hanging out, we hang out on the weekends and stuff, definitely have a close unit up front so it’s awesome.” With two main rivals of the past in West Islip, who moved up to Division I in recent years, and Bellport, who defeated them in last year’s final, having moved to Division

III, the motivation to tackle any opponents in Division II is still fueling the team. “[Our rivalries this year,] we don’t have West Islip’s or the Bellport’s anymore but of course there’s always the West Babylon’s and Riverhead’s that are always going to be good and always fun to play and it’s always a good game to come and watch,” said Mike Collins. Coach Ciampi is also conﬁdent that the team has the motivation to succeed against their opponents. “I think that our kids are the kind of kids that from the time the previous season is over,” Ciampi said. “They understand that they’re going to have to outwork some of the other schools that we compete against.”

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Key players OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH Robert Sconone

Daniel Hayden Tyler Rigo Senior running back

Mike White Offensive/ Defensive line

The closeness of this team is an xfactor to their excellent play over the years. Rigo explains, “We’re mostly family, we do a lot of things on the weekends together, we go out to lunch a lot, and during football season that’s all we really hang out with are the guys on the team.” Todd Collins agrees, “We’re deﬁnitely a family. I treat everyone here like they’re my brother and I love every last one of these guys. I wouldn’t want to play with anyone else.” This sense of family can be traced to the coach, who took over the reins from his father. “I think that I was pretty well prepared for that part of it, being the person to follow my father, 48 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Todd Collins Defensive line

I’d been around him for obviously a long time and I was an assistant under him for a little bit so I knew what to expect in that part of it. The one thing that I think was a little bit different for me was just doing the actual managing of everything. You don’t realize until you take over as the head coach how much goes into it besides what I saw my father doing every day.” East Islip is focused indeed. They have won games and qualified for finals before, but it’s the final victory they seek. There are a lot of seniors who are ending an era in East Islip football. The players’ feelings for their coach typify the unity of this football team.

“It’s awesome,” Rigo said. “He likes to joke around with us a couple times but he knows when to get

“Hopefully we can win the whole thing and that’s really about it that’s all we want to do,” Rigo said.

serious and that’s when he brings it. I have fun every day coming out here.”

“I’m going to miss it a lot, I mean I’ve been playing with some of these guys since middle school, so coming up here on varsity, playing around and stuff, being in the game with these guys, it’s a good experience,” added Collins.

“It’s just great, it’s really fun, I enjoy it a lot,” Collins said. “He teaches me a lot and I come out here and we have fun. We know what we have to do to get it done - when it’s time to do business and we do what we gotta do.” “He’s deﬁnitely one of the best coaches around,” said White. “He deﬁnitely knows his stuff and gets the best out of us every day, he’s awesome.” The seniors hope to close out this story as they saw it start the year before they entered high school. They have had success and they have had fun. They share their aspirations as they open this season.

To Mike White, it is everything about the team he will miss most come the end of the season, including, “a bunch of great moments with coach and fellow players, me and Todd having fun out there, there’s not one moment that sums up our whole career at East Islip.”

49 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

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SEAFORD VIKINGS Football

Story and Photos by Jason Pollak

eaford football has put together an impressive run over the last few years. They currently boast a 43game Conference IV winning streak and have won the Nassau County Championship four years in a row. Last year, they beat archrival Roosevelt in a thrilling 28-25 victory to claim the county. With that winning streak in mind, they are most certainly one of the main contenders for the Long Island Championship this year, which they won back in 2009. They are led by veteran coach Rob Perpall who preaches nothing but excellence to his players. Although Seaford will be faced with the loss of seven All-County players from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11-1 county championship season, Coach Perpall believes the team is still one to be feared. 52 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

COACH ROB PERPALL Suffolk County Division IV 11-1 Overall Preseason ranking: 1

“We just try to stay enthusiastic and prepare the best we can,” Perpall said. “Those seven guys from last year were a big reason to our success, but we have some young guys we think can make an impact this year.” One of those young guys is first year starting quarterback Chris Trotta. Although a rookie in the starting slot, he is a veteran amongst his peers. He is a senior and looks to be a vocal and physical leader. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he not only has the proper arm strength, but also possesses the athleticism to escape the pocket and make a play. He showed off plenty of his accurate arm strength in practice drills, throwing slants, fly routes and hitches. Every throw was on point and thrown with tremendous velocity. The Vikings definitely have a highly capable quarterback in their hands for the upcoming season.

53 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

“I worked out over the summer with some of my receivers, getting our timing down,” Trotta said. “We worked on just about everything. I think we prepared well for our upcoming season.” Although Trotta didn’t get a chance to start many games last year, he did get some playing time in against archrival and county championship opponent Roosevelt. He was 6/11 with 131 yards and three touchdowns in that game. That kind of performance against one of the top teams in Conference IV should have the coaches feeling confident. Another confidence booster will be the return of senior wideout Brian Gilbert. “I think Gilbert is going to be a great receiver,” Perpall said. “I think he is one of the better receivers in the conference.” With that kind of security blanket, Trotta should have no problem racking up some serious yardage down field. Gilbert should also draw some double teams from opposing safeties, opening up other receivers for one-on-one coverage. It will also help to open up Seaford’s stout running game. If Trotta and Gilbert can find chemistry with one another, big yardage on the ground should almost be a certainty. One player who should help cement the line is senior and first year starter, tackle P.J. Ruttura. At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds he easily takes the cake as Seaford’s biggest and most powerful player. With some added muscle over the off season, he will be one of Seaford’s main cogs on the line. “I spent extra time in the weight room all offseason,” Ruttura said. “I practiced sprints every day, but most importantly I studied a lot. I went over plays, did some drills, basically anything to help me get mentally prepared for the season.” That power running game was in full effect during a summer practice. “Most teams these days don’t hit the running sled, but we still do! And that’s why we will win!” Perpall yelled at his team after completing the drills. In a Marine Corps-esque response the team belted out an “Ooorahh!” and dashed over to the big, high school field to get some hitting drills in. There, they spent a good 45 minutes practicing proper techniques for blocks, stretch plays and driving through their blocks. Although the team may be smaller in number compared to some of the bigger schools, every player should account for two people, the way they practice and hit. This team looks to dish out punishment and plays hard. Two core concepts that build a healthy, winning tradition. 54 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

“Never Quit” is the motto around Seaford and you can bet they will not be feeling sorry that they lost a good chunk of their team from last year. This team looks to hit and play smart football. The new kids who are stepping into some pretty big shoes are fully aware of what is at stake and aren’t about to shrink under the situation. They breed some hard-nosed players at Seaford and that tradition will look to carry over this fall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Wide Receiver

Brian Gilbert

Senior Offensive Line

P.J. Ruttura

Senior Quarterback

Chris Trotta

55 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

SHUTTER

SPEED

backs of the Sachem North varsity football team battle to make >>> Running each other stronger during a blocking drill.

Photo by Morgan Harrison

SHUTTER

SPEED

Lynbrook High School player strides to catch a pass during a difďŹ cult pre>>> Aseason practice.

Photo by Morgan Harrison

By : Jaclynkelli Kronemberg Photos By : Morgan Harrison

60 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

FA R M IN G DALE

DALERS FOOTBALL

Coach Buddy Krumenacker Nassau County Conference I Record last season: 8-3 Lost in Nassau County final to Freeport Preseason ranking: 4

armingdale varsity football is a team rich with history. But all the tradition in the world doesn’t matter much when a team graduates all of its starters, something that Farmingdale did last June. “We lost every starter last season and are currently in the process of working through returning players to ﬁnd out who will start,” Head Coach Buddy Krumenacker said. “We have guys who can play - they just don’t have the experience in the games so it is going to be a challenge this year to ﬁnd out who works well together.”

head coach at Farmingdale. He has one Long Island Championship, ﬁve Nassau County titles and ﬁve conference titles. “It’s such a great honor to play for coach Krumenacker,” Ward said. “He is such a great coach. He is a very good teacher and he is good to everybody.” Ward’s teammates agree.

“He is a great motivator,” Martin said. “He knows how to get you ﬁred up, he knows exactly what he is talking about. He wins games with defense - he is one of the greatest defensive coaches I’ve met.” Farmingdale football is rich in tradition. The team has been to the Long Island Championship six times since 1992 with one win. It has won the Rutgers Cup seven times since

“At ﬁrst I thought it was going to be a little bit shaky not having a returning starter,” senior wide receiver and cornerback Tyler Ward said. “But then seeing everyone work hard, I see that it is all coming together really nice and we are going to be better than I thought.” The kids are motivated because they entered the preseason knowing anyone can get a starting position. It is a big competition and everyone is ﬁghting for the chance to start. “This is the greatest competition - nobody here has a starting job right now,” senior running back Justin Martin said. “Everybody is coming out here working hard all day (during) two a days.” This is Krumenacker’s 19th season as 61 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

1971 and has had 19 conference championships since 1965. Farmingdale knows how to win football games no matter what challenge they have in front of them. “We have a long tradition that goes back 40 plus years - that is a long history of winning,” Krumenacker said. “Kids come here believing they will win football games because of our tradition. We always have talent to help us live up to who we’ve been.” Everyone believes in Farmingdale’s tradition and that is why they are ranked number four in their conference - even though no one knows who their starters will be. No one will be counting out this team. 62 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Farmingdale and Freeport have become a big rivalry in Conference I. They are always the two teams battling for the top stop. Freeport beat Farmingdale 36-33 in the Nassau County championship game last year en route to the Long Island championship. “We play each other in a lot of ﬁnals,” Krumenacker said. “Winning goes both ways between us. They win, we win.” Another long standing rivalry is between Farmingdale and Massapequa. This is always a good game to watch because it is always a hard fought battle. “This rivalry goes back a long time and the kids start this rivalry in the youth pro-

grams,” Krumenacker said. “This game has a lot of meaning to the kids.” Farmingdale does not have many returning seniors this year. This gives them the chance to put together a young core this year that can play together for multiple seasons. But no one at Farmingdale is looking at anything but the upcoming season. “I have been here a long time,” Krumenacker said. “I love it, it is great and the kids are great to work with. We are going to make a team and we will play Farmingdale football.”

H.F. CAREY SEAHAWKS

ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

COACH MIKE STANLEY Nassau Conference II 2010 Record 8-0 Regular Season 10 -1 Overall

Story by Joseph Sudberg | Photos by Adil Borluca

he Seahawks of H. Frank Carey High School are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent history. They finished the 2010 regular season winning 10 games—the first time in school history—including a perfect 8-0 conference record (first time in 32 years), and reached the Nassau Conference II championship game. Although the Seahawks did not come home with the title (a feat they haven’t accomplished since 1978), winning is now part of culture that fifth-year head coach Mike Stanley has created. The 2011 Carey team motto is “finish” which couldn’t be

more appropriate, as the returning seniors try to grab the conference championship that eluded them. “Last season was an amazingly successful season,” said senior running back Rob Zorn, “we had such a good season, but it will always be tainted by that loss.” The 2010 Carey offense was their most potent in school history, setting the school record for scoring with 34 points per game. Their quarterback is not returning, but their top running back and wide receiver both are ready to start their journey for another shot at the county championship. 65 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

“I do believe we will make the same run this year… we have some key returning starters, but the people who didn’t start last year are working extremely hard to fill the big shoes that we lost,” said Zorn. Returning wide receiver Steve Marino concurred, saying, “We have high expectations for this upcoming season. We lost a great group of seniors last year that left big shoes to fill, but without a doubt, our players are stepping up.” Coach Stanley has been nothing but solid since being given the title of head coach at H. Frank Carey high school. In his previous four years at this position, Coach Stanley has compiled a 28-12 record, and has reached the Big 4 in all four seasons. As expected, Coach Stanley and the rest of their coaching staff receive high praise from their players. “Coach Stanley has had a tremendous impact on us players, both on and off the field,” said Marino. “He keeps us focused each week to accomplish our goal, which is to win one game at a time. Off the field, he’s a great teacher and is always willing to help. He makes sure everyone is on the right track whether it’s in the classroom, on the field or pursuing goals in life. He believes in his players, which brings out the best in us.” The departure of quarterback Kyle Zahradka (who set school records for touchdowns, completions and yards) leaves the door open for Mike Locicero, who will be the new conductor for the Seahawks. But by the way things sound, there is no confidence lost in the new signal caller’s abilities. “He has done a really good job preparing for this year,” said Zorn. Marino demonstrates the same confidence in his new quarterback, saying, “He has been doing a great job reading defenses and making the correct reads. We can expect great things from him.” The Carey Seahawks hope to return to the place where their 2010 season came to an abrupt end, and believe it that if and when they get there, the championship will be the only thing on their minds. Zorn states, “Football isn’t just a fall sport, if you’re a football player at Carey, it’s a year-round thing. That is one of the keys to our success. That’s why we have the expectation to not only make it back to the championship, but to win it.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Running Back/ Linebacker

Rob Zorn

Wide Receiver

Steven Marino

66 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

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L AWRENCE TORNADOS

By : Rob Sutter | Photos By : Morgan Harrison

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Coach Joe Martillotti 2nd Season as Head Coach Has been on staff for twelve seasons.

espite being considered a small school for their conference, the football team of Lawrence High School is not short on confidence; head coach Joe Martillotti knows how to win. It seemed fitting when Martillotti returned to his roots. After graduating from Lawrence in 1995 and having played all four years on the football team, he developed a strong passion for Lawrence football. Martillotti is in only his second season as head coach, but has been on staff for twelve seasons. As one would expect, his passion for his school and the game of football is paramount. “It’s been my first love ever since I was a kid,” Martillotti said. “When I couldn’t play anymore, I just wanted to coach. It’s all I ever wanted to do, to just be around this game.” Martillotti’s connection to Lawrence was sealed when he received his first teaching job from the school in addition to his first coaching job. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” he said. Ever since his days playing for Lawrence, Martillotti dreamed of giving back to the school that offered him the opportunity to play football and realize his goals of teaching and coaching. He wanted to one day lead the Lawrence football team. “The ultimate goal is to be the head coach of your own high school,” he said.

Now that he is where he wants to be, Martillotti will not lean on past success. Both dream jobs in hand, he is ready to excel. “We’re geared up,” he said. “I’m very positive about how the season is going so far and hopefully, by tomorrow’s ﬁrst game, we will end on the top of the scoreboard.” Martillotti has his mind on the present. With any team in high schools, students come and go, but the coach tailored his team accordingly. “You always lose guys,” he said. “You make the best with what you have.” There is a sense of easygoingness when it comes to the atmosphere of Lawrence’s football practices. On the subject of drills, he assigns the players based on his experiences on the practice ﬁeld. “I hated hitting the sled,” he said. “We still hit the sled here but I tail it off a bit. It’s not quite as extensive when I was a kid.” The laid-back demeanor of the head coach has not gone unnoticed by the players on the team. One of the key players Eddie Robinson said, “He knows how to be strict but how to be cool with us at the same time.” The team is strong and Martillotti is aware of who the top players are. He listed off junior and senior high school students on the team: Ryan Fredericks (#8,) Chris Hercules (#5,) Tyler Fredericks (#20 tem-

porarily on his jersey at the time of the interview,) Kenny Perez (#6) and Eddie Robinson (#14.) Perhaps the most popular aspect of the Lawrence High School football team is the duo called the Fredericks Brothers Ryan, the older of the two brothers, is the senior captain of the team. Position as both the running back and outside linebacker, Ryan boasts a 40-yard burst in addition to a sense of unity for the team. While Ryan has always been a football fan, he began to play organized football when he was ten years old. “We are a great passing team. We passed the ball a lot,” Ryan says. “We’re going to stick together all the way.” A valuable player in his own right is younger Fredericks brother, Tyler, who is Lawrence’s wide receiver. Just like his older brother, Tyler has been involved in football, though he started when he was eight years old. The love Tyler has for football cannot be questioned. “I love contact, just running into people,” he says. “It’s another way of getting my aggression out without ﬁghting in school.” The team, as a whole, learned different things from playing for Lawrence. The overall experience made the players appreciative of what they had. Middle linebacker Chris Hercules spoke about what football offered him and how it impacted him. “Football gives me a 69 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

Key players OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH Kenny Perez #6

Ryan Fredericks

Chris Hercules

goal,” he said, “It always makes you want to make yourself better in life and on the ﬁeld.” For linebacker Kenny Perez, football practice instills a sense of hustle that translates to other areas in his life. “I have a desire to win and that’s how I carry my attitude through everything: no slacking.” he said. Whenever there is a major game in Lawrence, one can be assured that there will be spectators, eager to see a good play. “The support is just great. The stands are always packed. There’s nothing like

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Tyler Fredericks

Eddie Robinson

Lawrence football,” Perez said. Lawrence High School’s football team-at least in the eyes of the players--appears to be an underdog team. A lesson which Tyler Fredericks can attribute to his experience in the game can apply to an age-old cliché. “Don’t judge a book by its cover. I’ve ran into little people that knocked me over. I’ve ran into big people that I ran over,” Tyler said. “You have to wait until you get into the game to see what somebody’s all about.” If one word can ultimately sum up Lawrence High School’s mindset, it would be

‘drive.’ It is true that the team seems much more laid-back with Martillotti as head coach but there is no mistaking the ability of Lawrence’s football players come crunch time. In the midst of a game with elevated stakes, the football team from Lawrence is hungry. “We are in the hunt every year,” Martillotti said. “Ultimately, when you strive, you strive for the big goal. That’s what we look for around here.”

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The NFL Youth Football Fund and USA Football salute the players of the 2011 Empire Challenge High School Football All-Star Game. Football teaches its players, coaches and participants valuable life lessons that can be applied both on and off the field. Your participation today is not only a celebration of your all-star season, but also a testament to the perseverance of Empire Challenge Inc. and the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Their tireless efforts in the fight against cystic fibrosis bring those with the disease closer to a cure, and help them live healthier lives.

N E W FI EL D W O L V ER I NE S Story by Miscelleana Rhinehart | Photos by Morgan Harrison

s the smell of grass fills the air and the sound of rattling bleachers fills the background, forty Newfield Wolverines march onto the field as the head coach brings them together for words of inspiration. With a final phrase of strength passed among them, the team is ready to play. This may be the scene on Friday, September 9 when the Wolverines play Deer Park to kick off their 2011/2012 season. The experience of ending the football season last year 7-1 with the only loss suffered being their final game, pushed the Wolverines to work harder while waiting for the 2011 season to start. “We are looking to build on a strong 2011 season with experience and a bad taste for losing our last game,” said Head Coach Joe Piccininni. Piccininni has completed seven seasons with the Newfield Wolverines and has taken the waves of wins and losses as they came. Piccininni has coached the Wolverines to the title of Big Four Champs three times: 2005, 2007 and 2010. As Head Coach, Piccininni actively pushes the Wolverines to constantly improve and show their strengths together as a team. Last season, the Wolverines overtook their first seven opponents with the drive and determination of keeping their no-loss winning streak alive until the final game. Knowing that every moment counts, Piccininni ensures the Newfield Wolverines use all possible time to their advantage as practicing and training continues all year round. “We begin our strength and agility training in December and continue throughout the year,” said Piccininni. The Wolverines strengthen their defensive and offensive players and plays with their own special techniques and unique drills. Of the various exercises the team enjoys together, Piccininni commented that the team’s defensive pursuit drill is, “extremely intense.” As the months continued, the Wolverines practiced regularly to continue their consistency while September drew nearer.

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Pushing the intensity to the extreme, the top three key players on the Newfield Wolverines showed their commitment to the team over and again during the summer practice sessions as they did during the previous season. Ron Denig, Mike Silva, and Julian Santiago all ended the 2010 with strong stats and plays that helped push the team through important games. Denig was responsible for 77 total tackles on the season, 43 of which were solo. On the offensive, Denig added two touchdowns to his season stats while rushing nine times for a total of 202 yards. Silva played intense defense with seven interceptions, six pass knockdowns and 57 total tackles including 28 solo tackles while not slowing offensively with nine touchdowns. Santiago powered through defense with one interception, 32 solo tackles out of 68 total; nine for losses. Santiago concluded the season with 127 total rushing yards in 19 plays. When asked about other players to watch this season, Piccininni named five Wolverines: James Manginelli OT/DT, Junior; Mike Fabiitti G/NG, Senior; Karl Rindfliesch OL/DT, Senior; Terrell Perryman WR/OLB, Junior; and Tom Diubaldo LB, Senior.

COACH JOE PICCININNI

2010 Suffolk County Division II Big Four Champs

For Wolverine fans out there, it is apparent there are plenty of players to keep an eye on this season as the games are only days away.

As the season nears, each player’s focus and intensity grows while the team phrase “protect the team” is on the mind of each player reminding each player to always put the team objectives ahead of their own. As the Wolverines get ready for the start of the season, they stay focused on building on their consistent strengths while eliminating their present weaknesses. Piccininni named the four strengths of the Wolverines as, “Our leadership, unity, aggressiveness and work ethic,” while also adding that the Wolverines “are constantly working to improve in every area of the game.” Working together as a team has shown marked improvement as each player continues to grow as an individual and as a Wolverine. If the Wolverines keep their focus strong and ensure their aggressive games and practices continue, there is no reason the team will not keep their Big Four Champs title. Fans are encouraged to show their red, white and black colors at the first game coming soon and show the Wolverines their unwavering support. With only one game haunting the Wolverines from last year, this season may prove to have an even better winning streak as the Newfield Wolverines take on their division. As the Wolverines get led off the field by Piccininni on September 9, hopefully it will be a walk of success with a tremendous start to the season. Piccininni seems positive for the upcoming season as the Newfield Wolverines get ready to play Deer Park, saying, “Our approach is simple. One [game] at a time.”

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N E W FI EL D FO O TB ALL

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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Tight End

Julian Santiago

Senior Running Back

Ron Denig

Senior Quarterback

Mike Silva

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Off/Def Tackle

James Manginelli

Senior Guard

Mike Fabiitti

Senior Offensive Line / Defensive Tackle

Karl Rindfliesch

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Senior Linebacker

Tom Diubaldo

Junior Wide Receiver / Offensive Line Back

Terrell Perryman

SACHEM NORTH FLAMING ARROWS

Story by Ed Jennett | Photos by Morgan Harrison

achem North is once again ranked in the top two in Suffolk County Division I. The Flaming Arrows are coming off a 10-1 season and a trip to the county championship. But once again in 2011 Sachem is going to have to answer the question of whether it can beat rival William Floyd in the playoffs.

The Flaming Arrows return a lot of young talent but are anchored by all-county running back Dalton Crossan. The youth of the team may make the beginning of the season much more difficult than would usually be expected for such a 80 highly ranked squad. ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

“We’re young in some spots (so we’re) not as good as starting off a year ago,” explained Head Coach Dave Falco. “(But) If we win it looks really good (for the rest of the upcoming season).” The Flaming Arrows will receive their first big test very early in the season. “(The) First game is (the) biggest for us,” said Falco. “Bay Shore is a much improved team and is on the rise.” He added that “It’s the only game we’re thinking about. We’re thinking about getting off to a good start, that’s big for our team this year.”

COACH DAVE FALCO 2010 Suffolk County Division I Record 10-1 overall Sachem has been a top football program since the 1970s and success of the last two season’s has brought that proud tradition back to the forefront. “The school has won championships in ‘78, ‘79, ‘86, and ‘95 - since the 1970s been a powerhouse,” said Falco. “The goal is to match last year but we have a lot of young kids, so it’s a week by week process.” The teams biggest threat on offense remains Dalton Crossan. “We return one of the best players in county - that has to be a strength (of the team),” said Falco. Falco also mentioned that he thinks both of the lines will be strengths for his team. “(We have) more kids at those spots with kids who can play. The last few years we’ve had starters but not depth.” At the same time most of those players are young and untested according to the coach. Trent Crossan, the brother of Dalton, will be the team’s starting quarterback. Trent, only a sophomore, will have to learn on the job as well. “One of our key issues is leadership,” explained Falco. “We have a sophomore at quarterback, we have a junior at fullback.” Tyler Andreassi is the junior fullback that Falco referenced. He will be in the backfield along with Dalton Crossan and senior tailback Vincent Provenzano. They

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help comprise the Flaming Arrows key offensive players along with senior running back Dalton Crossan (5’10” 180 lbs.) and senior tailback Vincent Provenzano. Many of the Flaming Arrows top offensive players are just as important on the defensive side of the ball as well. Trent Crossan also plays linebacker, Andreassi also plays defensive end, Provenzano also plays safety. Sachem North’s other key defensive players include senior nose guard/tackle Jacob Starling (6’2” 295 lbs.), and senior tackle Vincent Juliano (6’2” 250 lbs.). In addition to their tremendous skill on the field, seniors Dalton Crossan, Starling and Provenzano will be looked to for much needed leadership. Last season the Flaming Arrows were undefeated until they lost in the Suffolk County Championship to William Floyd High School by a touchdown. If the young Black and Gold can gel quickly and get off to a fast start this season they might have a chance to equal, or maybe even surpass, their tremendous accomplishments from a year ago.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Running Back/ Safety

Dalton Crossan

Junior Fullback/ Linebacker

Tyler Andreassi Sophomore Quarterback/ Linebacker

Trent Crossan

Senior Running Back/ Linebacker

Vincent Provenzano Senior Offensive Line

Jacob Starling

SACHEM NORTH FOOTBALL ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

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team couldn’t ask for a better start than the Roosevelt Rough Riders had to begin the 2010 season. With a 7-2 season and an early exit in the playoffs behind them, the Rough Riders were looking to emerge as an improved team and go even deeper in the postseason. A disappointing finish to that year had Roosevelt eager to begin the season, and they did so with a vengeance. The Rough Riders relied heavily on team football rather than individual stats and it was one of the reasons they became so successful. Everything went in their favor at the beginning of the season as they started to string together some wins. A 28-0 shutout against Malverne was the kind of game head coach Joe Vito was looking for. “The team’s motto is ‘turn it up’,” Vito said. Roosevelt did turn it up and maintained that level of consistency as the season continued.

The early success persisted as the Rough Riders continued to pummel its opponents with an electric, highpowered offense. Roosevelt won its first six games of the season, outscoring its opponents 199-78 and averaging just over 33 points per game. It took a valiant effort from Seaford to give the Rough Riders their first loss of the season. Although it was only a one point victory, Roosevelt’s 6-game winning stream came to an end after a 21-20 loss. The Rough Riders bounced back the next week and earned a 21-15 victory over Locust Valley to end the regular season. Roosevelt headed into the postseason with confidence, and it showed during a 33-13 rout over Cold Spring Harbor. They made the next round look even easier after they defeated East Rockaway 48-14.

COACH JOE VITO Nassau Conference IV 2010 Record 7-1 overall In order to win the Nassau County championship the Rough Riders were forced to face the lone team that had beat them earlier in the season. Seaford was undefeated coming into the game and made for an intriguing matchup. Roosevelt stayed with them once again, but was unable to come away with the victory. Seaford earned the win with a score of 28-25. Despite the tough defeat, there are plenty of reasons to look forward to this season. With head coach Joe Vito returning for his 18th season with Roosevelt, there are high expectations for the Rough Riders. “We want to build around the defense,” Vito said. “We need to utilize our talent more and distribute the ball better.” Roosevelt has a few key players returning for this season. Running back and linebacker Emmanuel Jones looks to be a defensive threat once again, after recording 114 tackles and three sacks last year.

The Rough Riders will also welcome back senior Erin Parker. Parker rushed the ball 81 times for 852 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Roosevelt will have a new quarterback in Robert Sweeney, who played on defense the previous year and recorded 39 tackles. All three of the aforementioned players have the ability to repeat and surpass their individual success, helping the team as a result. Roosevelt is scheduled to open its season on Saturday, September 10 when it hosts Clarke. The Rough Riders went a perfect 5-0 at home last season, sending the fans home happy each time. “The community has always been a big supporter,” Vito said. “It’s a great experience for the kids.” Perhaps the biggest game of the season may be the one in Seaford. Roosevelt will be looking for revenge when they visit Seaford on Oct. 21. It’s one game at a time, though, and that’s the Rough Riders’ mentality. With another season of Roosevelt football underway, this could be their year.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Senior Fullback/ Linebacker

Emannuel Jones

Senior Quarterback/ Linebacker

Robert Sweeney

Senior Running Back

Erin Parker

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Sports Ps Sports Psychology By: Dr. Tom Ferraro

The Problem with Perfectionism

ver all the years of seeing athletes I can honestly say that the most common problem that athletes suffer with is perfectionism. And what makes this

ment… as best you can with clear eyes and love in your heart… with joy in your heart? If you can do that gentleman, then you’re perfect.”

scared because you are probably expecting more disappointment. A quarterback may throw three touchdowns and win the game but go home feeling upset and even angry because he threw two interceptions as well. The

The perfectionist is always unhappy no matter how he plays. problem so difﬁcult to treat is that nearly every athlete considers their perfectionism to be a helpful trait. “Hey Doc what’s wrong with trying to be perfect? It gets me to stay real focused and strive to be my very best!” Now just add in the typical coaches own perfectionism and you really have a problem on your hands. You may recall the football ﬁlm Friday Night Lights where Coach Gaines, played by Bill Bob Thorton, tried to teach his team how to be perfect. He sealed the deal for real during that famous pep talk he gave at halftime of the State Championships. This may be the most well-known pep talk ever given. He said this: “Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s about you and your relationship to your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friend in the eye and know that you didn’t let him down because you told them the truth. And that truth is that you did everything that you could. There wasn’t one more thing you could have done. Can you live in that mo88 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

Coaches often reinforce perfectionism if they are too harsh and do not give praise. But of course you will note that this is a redefinition of what we all know perfectionism to be. We usually define perfectionism as: “The tendency to set very high standards and to be dissatisfied with anything that does not meet those high standards. These high standards are often unrealistic.” And even that definition sounds harmless enough until you actually break it down and see it in action. Because what that often means is that the athlete sets increasingly high standards which can never be reached. This leads to an increasing sense of frustration and a feeling of defeat. When it goes on unchecked it leads to anger and even depression because the athlete feels no longer like a success but like a failure. Perfectionism means that you can never or very rarely feel satisfied and usually go home feeling sad and empty. Perfectionism means that you play tight and

reality is that football players make mistakes all game long because they are human. The worst case I have ever seen of perfectionism was when I was working with a young golfer who was a national champion but was having lots of emotional trouble. As we played golf one day he hit a great drive and a two iron to about three inches on a very tough par ﬁve. As he tapped his eagle putt in, he was grumbling of how disappointed he was for not making a double eagle. That is what you call perfectionism. Bill Parcels would always worry about game quitters but what he failed to realize is that a source of game quitting is the feeling that you are losing all game long. This comes about when perfectionism is in play and as a result the player is feeling that he is playing lousy all game. He is set up to quit.

sychology Why are so many athletes perfectionistic?

The perfectionist will eventually feel down and depressed. Alfred Adler was the first psychologist to focus on perfectionism and felt that our natural feeling of inferiority in childhood produced a need to compensate for it by becoming perfectionistic. And when you then enter the world of sports it only reinforces this tendency. Sports demands much from the athlete. To win you must be excellent. Competition is very fierce and gets fiercer the higher you go. To win you must focus hard and try hard. Only the very best get to the top and get that golden ring, be that a scholarship or a pro contract. The rest go home empty handed. The media reinforces this at every turn. Only the star gets face time. That’s the way it is. And all this fierce competition breeds perfectionism into us. But that also leads to the problem we are talking about; constant frustration, bitterness, overwork and exhaustion. Almost every time I have worked with perfectionists that get to the top they come in, lie down on my couch and look totally, fully and completely exhausted.

There has to be a better way but what is it? The first thing to do is to try to determine if you are perfectionistic. Are you always unhappy with your performance? Are you in a slump? Are you always angry with the way you play? Do you always see yourself as failing though everyone around you sees you as a very good player? If you feel this is true, you may be a perfectionist. And here is what to do. Begin to judge yourself in a more lenient, reasonable or flexible manner. Chances are you are not now and never will be Peyton or Eli Manning. That’s okay. Try to see and to appreciate your wins and your victories. Try to develop patience and a real sense of forgiveness. When you get compliments, take a moment to take them in. Say thank you. Try to start to enjoy your game whatever it is. Chances are there is much to enjoy in the game, the camaraderie, the movement of it, and the travel. It is not just about winning and losing. It is much more about playing the game for all of its fun and pleasure. I always ask every player I work with what is their philosophy about why they play the game. When given a chance to talk about it they will usually tell me they play because of the pleasure of the game, its beauty, that the game is their sanctuary, that they like the friendships and the travel too. And then they will tell me they like to win too. But winning is usually said at the end. It is just like what Coach Gaines said about being perfect. It is not about the scoreboard but more about playing with effort and with love in their hearts. And for me sports are all about fun and joy and pleasure and friendships. And not so much about win, win, win. Of course you need to enjoy winning and try your very best but there is room in sport for you to take some time to slow down, and live in the moment of joy as Coach Gaines said. And, there is time in that moment for some forgiveness as well. And if you can find some joy and some forgiveness along with the drive to excel this will take you a whole lot further than just the lonely sad path of the perfectionist.

Learn to have fun and to enjoy your game for what it is and this will help get you out of perfectionism.

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UA TRAININ UA Training

A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME

New ways to build strength for the Grid Iron

Story By Mike Meija CSCS/ / Photos By Morgan Harrison When it comes to strength training for football, certain lifts immediately come to mind. In fact, it’s hard to even imagine a football training program that isn’t built almost exclusively around squats, bench presses, deadlifts and power cleans. And while there’s no arguing the efficacy of these lifts in terms of building big, powerful p owerful muscles, I can’t help but wonder if they really represent the best way to build functional strength ffor or the sport; or, if their inclusion is merely part of some time-honored approach that athletes and coaches alike are afraid to deviate from. So I decided to take a closer look at some common football strengthening exercises and offer up what I feel to be some more effective alternatives.

A TRUE “BENCH” MARK? For as long as I can remember, the bench press has been the undisputed king of upper body lifts. The only question is... why? Sure, it allows for a reliable way to gauge an athlete’s upper body pushing strength, making it a real favorite amongst coaches. I for one, however, feel that its transfer to football is minimal at best. First off, because you’re not engaging your legs and core the same way as you would in an upright position, the push you’re generating is nowhere near the same. In other words, just because you might be able to bench press a small automobile, doesn’t ensure that you’ll be able to shed a block, or drive an opposing player backward. Making matters worse is the fact that the symmetrical load provided by the barbell won’t prepare you for the unbalanced type of push you’ll often need when engaging an opponent. That’s why I prefer a much more functional exercise called the band thrust out. For this drill, you’ll need access to a moderately heavy rubber resistance band, as well as something sturdy to anchor it to. Once you’ve anchored your band to something close to floor level, begin by grasping the handles and facing away from the anchoring point. Next, set up in a split stance with one leg in front of the other and a slight bend in both knees. With your hands starting just a few inches in front of your shoulders, brace your core as you press up and out, while simultaneously driving your back leg past your front one. In the finish position, you’ll be balancing on one leg with both arms extended out, above your head. Pause for a split second and then control the weight back down and repeat for 6-8 reps. Remember to switch the order of your legs when you do the next set. Besides absolutely blasting your core, this drill also better simulates the unique combination of balance and strength you’ll need out on the field. In terms of power development, try the kneeling jump to medicine ball throw. For these, begin by kneeling down facing a wall that’s several feet in front of you. Holding a heavy medicine ball at chest height, start by sitting your hips back towards your heels and then “explode” up into a jump, as you land on the balls of your feet and then immediately use the momentum you’ve generated to throw the ball towards the wall. You then simply retrieve the ball and repeat for 5-6 total reps. What I like about this drill is the way it integrates the hips, core and upper body into one explosive movement. In doing so, it does a great job of training the triple extension (simultaneous extension of the hips, knees and ankles) necessary to execute the Olympic lifts without requiring teens to get into the awkward “catch” position- which often presents problems due to limitations in upper body flexibility.

When it comes to upper body pulling strength, instead of all the lat pulldowns and rows, (where you’re traditionally in a seated position) why not try a drill called the “lumberjack” row. In addition to being a great upper back, arm and grip strengthener, the rotational movement it incorporates will really emphasize your core. You also get the added benefit of incorporating the lower body to help develop systemic strength. It’s also the perfect drill for defensive players who need to grab backs and receivers to toss them to the ground! For these, you’ll need to attach a rope handle to a low pulley. Begin by standing sideways to the pulley, in a quarter squat position and grabbing the rope with one hand about a foot in front of the other (as pictured). Once you’ve selected your weight, start by pushing into the ground with your legs and pulling the rope with both arms, as you simultaneously rotate your torso. In the finish position your legs will be almost completely straight, with your back elbow well past your torso and your other hand near your front hip. Carefully return the weight to the starting position and repeat for 8-10 reps per side. ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

NG YOU DON’T KNOW SQUAT! As effective as squats and deadlifts can be, I find that players often sacrifice form in an effort to put up as much weight as possible. Besides the obvious injury concerns associated with training this way, it also increases the likelihood of developing strength imbalances throughout the lower body. Chief among these is a propensity to overdevelop the quadriceps and hip flexors at the expense of the hamstrings and gluteals- the latter of which play a key role in developing the strength needed for sprinting and jumping. Rather than completely abandon squats and deadlifts, though, the use of a mini band can help by re-directing the focus on to the muscles that players need to work most, while simultaneously easing the workload on the lower back. Try placing these small colored bands (which are available through www.performbetter.com), just above the knees during both squats and deadlifts, and focus on “firing out” against the added resistance they offer. Not only will you experience one of the most complete lower body strengthening exercises you’ve ever attempted, but you’ll find you don’t need to us anywhere near as much weight. Trust me, your joints will thank you for it years from now. Another important training consideration from a lower body stand standpoint is the fact that most of what happens on the field will occur when your weight is primarily supported by just one leg. Obviously, this creates a need for at least some unilateral strengthening. Among my top choices here are the Bulgarian Split Squat and the Unilateral Stability Ball Leg Curl. I like the split squat because it requires both balance and flexibility, and the leg curl is great for developing the hip extension strength necessary for pushing the ground away from you during sprints. Despite the fact that both drills may look a bit unconventional, I assure you they’re among the best you can do to improve performance on the field. Hold a pair of dumbbells and stand a couple of feet in front of an exercise bench, or high step with your back to it. Place the top of one foot behind you on the bench and as you balance on the other, maintain an upright torso as you descend into a parallel squat. Pause at the bottom and then fire back up. Lie on the ground with your lower legs resting on a stability ball. Begin by lifting one

CONCLUSION Strength training for football has come a long way from the ol’ “Go Heavy, or Go Home” days. Keep focusing your training efforts on squats, bench presses and power cleans and you might present a pretty imposing image on the field, but you’ll have a hard time keeping up with guys whose training has evolved with the times. Remember, it’s what you can do on the field, and not necessarily in the weight room that counts. So forget about tradition, and start doing the kind of stuff that’s going to help take your game to the next level!

For more great strength and training information from Mike Mejia, visit his website at www.basesportsconditioning.com.

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Grow Healthy.

Step up your healthy lifestyle. UnitedHealthcare is right behind you. We all know that regular visits to the doctor are important. But growing healthy is about more than just doctor visits. An active lifestyle that includes exercise is an essential part of your overall well-being, including both your body and your mind. That’s why we provide members with the tools, resources and information they need to get active and stay motivated. At UnitedHealthcare, through our Oxford products, we’re committed to helping New York area members live well and grow healthy.

oxfordhealth.com Insurance coverage provided by or through: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, or their affiliates. Oxford Health Plans LLC. Oxford HMO products are underwritten by Oxford Health Plans (NY), Inc., Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Inc. and Oxford Health Plans (CT), Inc. Oxford insurance products are underwritten by Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. © 2011 United HealthCare Services, Inc. © 2011 Oxford Health Plans LLC. UHCNY528490-000

P R O9-11C Pro Corner

MORE THAN A GAME BY : JOE PIETARO

n the decade since the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001, the sports world has been a place people have turned to as a way of enjoying the simple things in life. That was the plan set out back then and it certainly felt that way again as the ten-year mark approached.

GIANTS, JETS FELT 9-11 94

OPENING DAY EXTRA SPECIAL

ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE

“The feelings you get on the sideline and during the national anthem will be even greater this year because it will be the 10th anniversary on 9/11,” said Giants head coach Tom Coughlin before the game. “You can feel how the league is going to recognize the tragedy that took place to this great country. Recognizing the terrible loss of life and the people who have lost loved ones, and recog-

O RNER nizing the heroes, the firemen, the president who was in office during emergency people, the policemen, the terrorist attacks. the people who immediately sacriA stirring 27-24 comeback win ficed their lives to save others.” for Gang Green may have been The Washington Redskins hosted enough, but because it was done on the Giants in the opener for both that day in the Tri-state area made teams and two cities who shared in it epic. “I think we all felt it,” Rex loss and sorrow had an afternoon to- Ryan said. “It affected everybody in gether to reflect on the past and look that locker room. You can see where towards the future. The final score the Towers were from our stadium. had the Redskins finish on top, 28- There was a lot of pressure, but also 14, but that was not the most im- a lot of excitement. portant aspect. Even to Washington “We wanted to show our fans and head coach Mike Shanahan, who everybody else, ‘Hey, look. We’re called the day “amazing” and “quite you’re team’ and all that,” the Jets emotional.” head coach said. “It brought tears to your eyes,” Third-year quarterback Mark he added. Sanchez received the biggest ovaThe Jets’ home contest against tion during the pre-game introducthe Dallas Cowboys took place in tions and called it an “emotional atprime time and the pre-game activi- mosphere.” ties included an appearance by none “It was a good win for this comother than George Bush, the former

munity and this city after a big memorial game like this,” he reflected. Part of the pre-game had the players along with a number of first responders from the various police, fire and military agencies standing shoulder to shoulder holding an American flag that covered the entire field. This was a special moment and something not lost on LaDanian Tomlinson. “I felt honored; I really did,” the Jets running back said. “Those were the guys that did the ground work. The recovery. The guys (who) got in and did the dirty work. I felt honored to be standing next to them.” Sports superstars and blue collar workers were all equal on a very special day in our country. And of course sports being the backdrop made it happen.

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