Long Island Fall Vol 2 by Ultimate Athlete Magzine

Edito Letter From The Editor

Letter from the Editor

Ultimate Athlete Magazine

Publisher/CEO

The playoffs are just around the corner and what a season it has been. Featured are two of the top teams in Nassau Conference IV; the Seaford Vikings and Roosevelt Rough Riders. This issue also contains features on new teams that have emerged to challenge the usual powerhouses of Long Island football, teams like Carey, Newfield, Oceanside, and Westhampton. Ultimate Athlete Magazine did not forget about other fall sports! We also bring you some volleyball action where we highlighted some feature teams that don’t usually get as much press as their counter parts in volleyball. The Massapequa boys volleyball team and the Bellport girls volleyball teams are hot this year, see what makes these teams so special and how hard are they are willing to work to meet their goals. Also, as the season comes to a close look out for our next edition of Ultimate Athlete Magazine where we will cover the championship teams on Long Island and in the state tournaments! While on our website be sure to check out our new photo gallery which will give you access to more of the action so far this season. While at the photo gallery, not only will you be able to check out additional photos but you will be able to make custom purchases of any photo on the site. UltimateAtheteMagazine.com is also your source to get caught up with UA Insider’s episodes, as the Insider crew is always busy featuring in-depth interviews and profiles on Long Island hottest teams each week. Remember that all UA Insider videos are for sale in our UA store, and be sure to look out for our UA insider crew to come to your school, you just might be on UA Insider! Congratulations to all teams making the playoff and beyond.

Paul Corace N.J. Comanzo

Executive editor

Senior sports editor SENIOR ART DIRECTOR director of development senior producer/editor Graphic editor

Distribution manager

Joe luis covarrubias Joe Weinreb Scott “Scotto” Savitt Jessica Peters Dave Stewart Richard Brooks

Contributing Writers

Dr. Tom Ferraro Ken Ryan gary simeone Jaclynkelli Kronemberg bob falkenburgh james vacey

evan nemeroff joe pietaro harvey sandig Conor Reilly

Contributing photographers

natalie hedley jane bishow-semevolos dave anderson adil borluca richard ruotolo

Luis Cova

How To Contact Us Phone: 1-800-680-3213

GO ONLINE AND CLICK TO READ MORE! www.ultimateathletemagazine.com

Fax: 631-261-7968

ultimateathletemagazine.com 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 2010 Volume II

Conten

CO N

T EN

nts

Featu Features

16 Nutrition

Feeding your muscles

18 Seaford Football

22 Lindenhurst Football

26 Bellport Volleyball

28 Carey Football

30 Sports Psychology Winning Ugly

32 Center Moriches Soccer

38 Garden City Tennis

42 Harborfields Cross Country

44 Massapequa Volleyball

48 Newfield Football

54 PRO Corner New York Jets

56 Roosevelt Football

58 Sayville Football

62 East Hampton Beach Football

64 Training Why Weight?

>>>

Photo by Adil Borluca

Roosevelt’s tailback Donte Colter (#2) tries to evade two of Seaford’s punishing defenders in their recent Conferece IV Nassau County Semifinal matchup.

SPEED

SHUTTER

>>>

Photo by Dave Anderson

Newfield Running Back Newfield’s Shervon Berthelmy forces his way through East Islip’s defense en route to the end zone.

SPEED

SHUTTER

SPEED

>>>

Massapequa Volleyball Chris Husmann of the Massapequa Volleyball team takes to the skies and knocks a spike down on the opponents.

Photo by Natalie Hedley

Compe Competition Nutrition

FEEding your musclEs

By Sandy Sarcona

Competitive athletes want to be strong. When thinking of gaining muscle, most athletes assume loading up on protein will produce bigger pecks. It is true that we need protein for muscle, but taking in more protein than you need, will not equal muscle growth. In fact, too much of this macronutrient will either be used for energy or stored as fat and can even add stress to your kidneys. To build muscle, you first must be developmentally ready and then you can combine a workout program that includes strength training along with adding extra calories to your diet; start with 500 additional calories each day.

HErE arE somE stratEgiEs to add Extra caloriEs: • Eat frequently. Pack portable snacks like fruit, cheese sticks, crackers, trail mix and energy bars to eat throughout your school day. Have one between breakfast and lunch and one before your workout. If you have a long bus ride home then plan on having a recovery snack as well.

EnErgy packEd snacks • 1 Cup Shelf Stable Chocolate Milk (portable aseptic box) • Energy Bar • 1 Yogurt Container and a Banana • Cheese Stick and Crackers • Fig Bars and 1 cup Shelf Stable 2% Milk (portable aseptic box) • Cereal (bag it in a Ziploc) • Trail Mix of Cheerios or Life, Nuts, Raisins, Small Pretzels (bag it in a Ziploc) • Apple Slices (can be bought bagged and preserved) and Peanut Butter (in the “to go” container)

etition BEgin witH BrEakFast

makE HEaltHy cHoicEs

Eating your first meal soon after you wake up will give you a jump start on getting the extra fuel you need for the day. A bagel, peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat toast, frozen waffles, or cereal only take a few minutes to prepare and eat. If you love having extra sleep and have limited time, take that bagel or sandwich to eat on the bus, in the car or on your walk to school.

When aiming for additional calories, make sure that your food choices supply nutrients. Athletes have higher needs for carbohydrates and certain vitamins and minerals in order to keep the body tuned to run in high gear. “Empty calories” from sugary drinks and high fat desserts may cause a shortage in your daily nutrient load. Even though fruits and vegetables are low in calories, they are high in fiber and antioxidants; substances that will keep your intestinal tract healthy and your immune system in top shape. An athlete that suffers from constipation or one who gets sick a lot will not be a dependable team member. Don’t forget to drink water throughout the day and to consume a sports drink during your practice to stay well-hydrated. Practice hard and eat healthy and your muscles will make their mark.

load up on HigH-caloriE liquids Drinking your calories is quick and easy. Go for healthy options like 100% juice, milk, smoothies, vegetable juice, and milkshakes. High calorie liquid shakes: (mix ingredients in a blender) • Strawberry Smoothie: 1 Cup 2% Milk, 1 Packet Strawberry Carnation Instant Breakfast, ½ Cup Frozen Strawberries, 6oz. Fruit Yogurt, Ice Cubes • Chocolate Shake: 1 Cup 2% Milk, ¼ Cup Dry Non-Fat Milk Powder or 1 Scoop Whey Protein Powder, 6oz. Vanilla Yogurt, 3 Tbsp. Chocolate Syrup • Peachy Orange Cream: 1 Cup Orange Juice, 1 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream, ½ Cup Frozen Peaches (fresh or canned) • Peanut Butter Banana Blend: 1 Cup 2% Milk, 1 Packet Vanilla Carnation Instant Breakfast, 1 Frozen Banana, 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter

Story By: Luis Cova Photos By: Adil Borluca

In many small towns across America, people grow up knowing each other and taking pride in their hometown. Small towns have one thing in common; they all share a passion for high school football, and just like those small towns, Seaford is no different. Football is a tradition at Seaford and most boys grow up hoping to one day run out on the field wearing the green and white. By the time these ‘boys of fall’ get to the varsity level they have already been playing football for years with the same guys. Anyone new to Seaford soon finds out what high school football is all about, reaching excellence by way of old fashion hard work, commitment and the will to win. Behind this successful team is Coach Rob Perpall, who just like his players, spends numerous hours preparing and working to make sure the team is ready to meet its challenge on the gridiron. “The coaches put countless hours in and are in the coaches room hours before, and hours after practice,” says quarterback Steve Kirincic. “We have the hardest working coaching staff on Long Island.” Football is such a tradition at Seaford that kids start dreaming of playing varsity football as soon as six or seven years old, and some practically are raised with a football in their hand. Despite the discipline and winning tradition of the program, it is not something forced upon the students; it a choice every step of the way. “The bottom line is, the game is supposed to be fun and players don’t forget that,” says running back Justin Buckley. “People probably don't know that we have a lot of fun on this team. I think when they look at Seaford they look at us like a machine. We do have a lot of fun out there and we've been playing together as a team since we were six years old.” Seaford football and coaches have had such an

impact on players’ lives, that they carry lessons learned on the football field into other aspects of their lives. Coach Perpall says, “There are great times and bad times in football but it’s the overall experience that you carry with you. The game of football teaches you how to deal with other aspects of life.” With such a rich tradition at Seaford, it is not uncommon to see former alumni at games. Coach Perpall constantly receives calls from former players who are keeping in touch and even some that want to come back to not only visit but to help out with the team in any way they can. Former players like All-Long Island selection Nick Barbuto (Class of ‘08) and Jeff Baker (who completed three tours in Iraqi) have all come back to show their support for their alma mater. Unselfishness is also part of the equation which helps the team stick together. Paying it forward seems to be commonplace within the program; these players have the advantage of learning valuable lessons from older players. The Vikings are not only mentally tough, but also physically gifted; many players don’t just play football and many are true athletes playing other sport like basketball and lacrosse. Not being a flashy team, the Vikings don’t bother to boast about their records because they are humble. Many times, they aren’t in the headlines as much as other teams because they are a smaller school. They don’t have to talk the talk because when it comes to what matters, (which is playing good football) they certainly walk the walk. Coach Perpall runs the team with an old school feel, by being tough and never quitting. The Vikings play what they call smash mouth football which is designed to soften up other teams defenses. Preparation is also a key component to Seaford’s success. The Vikings focus on every aspect of their game and tyr not to overlook such things as special teams, which is something that can change the momentum of a game in a snap. Players attribute their drive to succeed to the teams motto. “The biggest key to our team’s success, is the commitment of the players wanting to get better every day,” says lineman Greg Kolodinsky. “The buying into our "NEVER QUIT" program is followed by any player who is and has ever been involved with the Seaford football program.” Keeping an even-balanced team is also important and the Vikings contain a slew of talented players. While injuries can spell doom for other teams, the Vikings have players that can step up and fill in immediately. “We have been plagued with a number of injuries this year,” says running back John Troisi. “But it has not halted our goal at all. Another player steps up and

gets the job done and we move on.” Players are willing to work as hard as it takes and there are no slackers on this team. Coach Perpall and his coaching staff make sure of that because this is one of the hardest working teams, not only on Long Island, but maybe the whole state. Players who walk out under the lights wearing the green and white know they are a part of something special, and that it is up to them to make the most of it. “My experience as a Seaford Viking has been great,” says Buckley. “I have loved it from the very beginning. The stands are packed out every home game and sometimes get even more fans than the opposing team at their home games. I wouldn't trade my Viking experience for anything in the world.”

The team knows how to deal with pressure and love the challenge of stepping up to the plate. They don’t like to lose and prepare so that each week, they have the best opportunity to win. This year they faced one of the toughest teams with many Seaford players injured and they did not break. The night belonged to the Vikings who finished victorious, beating rival school Roosevelt that night. Many people see the end result of Seaford’s success, but don’t know the amount of hard work and dedication it takes to get. For many players this mission has started way before the beginning of the season - it has been their childhood dream to win a Long Island Championship for the town. During practice, Coach Perpall plays the song “The Boys of Fall” by Kenny Chesney

over the sound system, as a way of promoting hard work and having a team mentality. As it turns out, the song perfectly describes Seaford and their never quit attitude. “They didn't let just anybody in that club Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall… I got your number, I got your back When your back's against the wall You mess with one man you got us all.”

Story By: Jaclynkelli Kronemberg Photos By: Jane Bishow-Semevolos

Every high school varsity football team enters the season with one goal and that is to win the Long Island championship game. Lindenhurst always has that goal but has yet to win a championship game. This year’s team is hoping to change that and to become the first team to win a championship. “Every team’s goal is the Long Island championship,” Nick Lombardo, the Lindenhurst varsity football head coach said. This is Nick Lombardo’s second year as the head coach for the Lindenhurst varsity football team. Before that, he was the varsity assistant coach for 14 years. Lombardo is no stranger to Lindenhurst football because he played at Lindenhurst when he was in high school. Last year, he brought the team to the semifinals in the playoffs and is hoping to get them further this year. “This year we want to play better because we have higher expectations,” Lombardo said. “We want to get further in the playoffs.” The Lindenhurst varsity football team is headed by an experienced coaching staff.

“Our coaching staff is great,” Lombardo said. “All levels, seventh grade and up do a great job with these kids.” Lombardo’s coaching staff includes offensive coordinator Rick Caravaggio who has coached there for 30 years, defensive coordinator Rich Rodgers who has also coached there for 30 years, line coach Damon Sinicropi, two volunteer assistants and two former players Chris Lynch and Matt Buckheit that help the kickers and quarterbacks. “These coaches do a great job for this team,” Lombardo said. This team has made some improvements from last year. Their defensive has come back stronger and more aggressive than last year. “We are a much better defensive team then we were last year,” Lombardo said. The offensive line went to the weight room in the offseason and have come back as better blockers and they provide the quarterback with better protection. “The improvement of the offensive line has been a present surprise this year,” Lombardo said. But the strength of this football team is their quarterback Stephen Skon. Skon is a 6’2” 210lbs three year starting senior captain. He is the returning Boomer Eisason award winner and returning all-county player. He just went to Yale University for a college visit. “Stephen is a dynamic leader,” Lombardo said. “He has a strong arm and is a good runner.” Skon’s favorite target is his younger brother Ken Skon. Ken Skon is a 6’3” 215lbs junior wide receiver. This is his second year starting. He has great chemistry with the quarterback. “Ken runs great routes and has good hands,” Lombardo said. Another asset to the offense is David George. George is a second year starting senior wide receiver. “David is the fastest player on the team,” Lombardo said. The defense features a number of key players for this Lindenhurst team. Mike Anding is a senior captain that plays on both the offensive and defensive line. Anding is 5’11” 215lbs and has worked hard in the off season to come back a better and stronger player. “Mike has improved tremendously,” Lombardo said. “He is incredibly tough.”

Ted Mangione is a 6’0 210lbs senior defensive end. Mangione was on the second team all-division last year. His specializes in sacking and does an excellent job of getting to the quarterback quickly. The middle linebacker Josh Stewart is a junior captain. He is 6’0” 195lbs and he is the defensive leader of this team. Stewart is the leader in tackles for this team. Evan Wildberger is a 6’2” 225lbs senior defensive end. Wildberger is a returning second team all-division player and he is excellent at stopping the run game. Lindenhurst also has two players that have made big improvements to their game from last season. Mike Chaffin is a senior strong safety. Chaffin is currently second on the team in tackles. “Mike is the best tackler on the team,” Lombardo said. “He is an aggres-

sive defensive player.” Keith Meisner is a junior free safety and is currently third in tackles so far this season. Lindenhurst entered the season with a preseason ranking of third in division one of Suffolk County. Their record so far this season is three wins and three losses. They lost a close game on October 1, 2010 to the defending conference champions William Floyd 12-7. Lindenhurst does not have one team that they feel is a big competition because division one has a lot of teams that are good so it hard to choose which one is their biggest competition. “This division is up in the air this year any one can win it,” Lombardo said. “There are at least six excellent teams in this division.” Lombardo does not require his

kids to take part in camps during their offseason but he does have the weight room open five days a week from November until June and all summer but it is voluntary if the kids want to participate or not. They are also welcome to take part in the winter with Steel Fitness, a trainer that comes in to work with the kids. During the summer there is also a speed camp that they can partake in. It is hard to get the kids to commit to the offseason activities because most of them play other sports such as baseball and lacrosse. “I love coaching this team they are a great group of kids, they are good football players,” Lombardo said. “They have an incredible work ethic and you can see that by how much they have improved from last year.”

Story By: Luis Cova

When one thinks of Bellport sports in the fall, the girls volleyball team may not be the first thing in mind, but this team is making some big strides with winning traditions of its own. Bellport remained undefeated all year, yet very few media outlets covered them, making girls volleyball team one of Bellport’s best kept secrets. Fifteen year varsity Coach Larry Auth has been working towards something special, leading the program in the right direction. What started as an opportunity to keep busy coaching JV volleyball during the spring 30 years ago, Coach Auth has since then developed the volleyball program into and staple of excellence. So what is Bellport volleyball all about? Coach Auth sums it up in four words: Dedicated, competitive, talented and fun. Dedication because the girls go all into the program and the team, with most of the team playing on club teams

and in spring leagues through the Town of Brookhaven also helping with the middle school teams in the program. Competitive describes the way they practice as if it were a real game. Talented because the girls are successful on the court and in the class room, and finally Fun because the team has a characters that make practices loose and the camaraderie is evident during pasta dinners. Over the past fifteen seasons Bellport has won ten league titles and appeared in the playoffs every year. Part of the key to Bellport’s success is the mutual respect between players and coaches. Senior Samantha Minikel describes coach Auth as, “Serious when he has to be but can joke around with the best of them, he’s not a yelling coach because he is so respected he is listened to.” Senior Samantha Parente adds, “Bellport Volleyball is a great program because of our coach. He has made the

program a success for many years, because of his and our assistant coach’s faith in what we can achieve it gives me a drive to do my best and I know my teammates feel the same” Coach Auth has a very close relationship to Assistant Coach Cassandra Watson, she is his daughter who played at Bellport and was an All-State player. About his assistant coach Auth says, “For the past three seasons I’ve had the fortune of coaching with my daughter. As a player she was always very competitive, and focusing those traits have carried over to coaching. She shows encouragement not only by supporting her players in their success, but also being supportive in their failures. The players respond to her and enjoy her enthusiasm.” Even though this team is very competitive there still exists a family-like atmosphere that helps develop cohesiveness within the team. Parente says, “We’re

like a family, we all love each other and we help each other through anything off or on the court”. To further promote the sense of family there are actual family members such as sisters Samantha Parente and Kacy Parente, along with their two cousins Allie Wayte and Gabrielle Maia. There’s LaShanna Garrison and Arnise Garrison who are cousins. Then there are long time friendships like Hannah O’Neil and Samantha Nickla who are neighbors and have grown up. Also, Katie Cohen and Samantha Minikel have always played volleyball and softball together. “These girls have created friendships that have had all positive effects on our program,” said Coach Auth. “We don’t have to deal with drama; they are all very supportive of each other.” “When you get to be so close there is a special synchronicity,” Minikel says. “The chemistry on the team is so natural,

we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we know how to back each other up, we know where to be on the court, there is complete trust.” With the Clippers firing on all cylinders, there was a sense of confidence that fueled their competitiveness. “For this team commitment brings with it self assurance and self confidence,” said Auth. “The girls undertook the mission of having an undefeated season. The girls come up with mottos for the season, and this season their motto was ‘Whatever It Takes’.” “We will put as much time and work as is needed to be successful,” said Minikel. Bellport girls set out to play some of the best volleyball on long island putting together an incredible run throughout the season and into the playoffs. Students took notice building a steady fan base at every match. “We know when we are going to win based on the energy and atmosphere,

energy is what wins games,” continued Minikel. “We have pretty good turnout at games and it adds to the energy.” Bellport kept the promise they made to their coach before the start of the season by presenting him with a poster that promised an undefeated season. Then, they actually went a step further by winning their first county championship. “We knew what we had to do, everyone just dug deep,” said Parente. “we all accomplished our goals, we grew as players, and individuals.” Coach Auth was excited after the victory not because the team had won the Class A Suffolk Championship or because he had earned his 256th career victory. “I was more excited for my team, we just has a solid group of girls that clicked together. They have worked so hard and have grown so much over the past few years, I was happy for them.” After all, Coach Auth already had his poster of the team commemorating their undefeated season. 27

Story By: Gary Simeone Photos By: Jane Bishow-Semevolos

It is like 1978 all over again at Carey High School. At least it feels that way for the football team who is having their first undefeated season since that year. After beating Westbury in the County quarterfinals, the Seahawks are 9 and 0 in Conference Two. “We have a great group of kids on the team this year,” said Head Coach Mike Stanley. “We have a lot of senior leadership and it has really helped us maintain our focus week in and week out.” One of those seniors is Quarterback Kyle Zahradka who set the school’s single season touchdown and passing yards re-

cord this year. “He has been terrific all year long for us,” said Stanley. “He has been a threat both running and throwing the ball.” Zahradka has thrown for fourteen touchdowns so far. Zahradka is one of six co-captains on the team. His twin brother Drew who plays center and defensive end also serves as co-captain. So does wide receiver Guiliano Bove, Jake Robison, Jon Fineo and Rob Miotto. The Seahawks have been unchallenged in the majority of games this season scoring over 30 points in eight of them. They also held their opponents to under

twenty points per game. Their biggest contest came against the Garden City Trojans on September 25th. The Trojans, who have been one of the dominant teams in Conference Two for decades found themselves in a tight battle with the Seahawks. They kept it close for awhile but Carey was able to open up the game in the second half, beating the Trojans 26-14 and ending their fourteen game conference winning streak. “Since I started coaching at Carey four years ago Garden City has always been one of our tougher opponents,” said Stanley. “We have steadily improved against them each year though.” The two

teams look to be on a collision course into the playoff finals. The Seahawks have been balanced all season on both sides of the ball. Running back Rob Zorn has given opposing defenses fits, battering and weaving his way up the middle all season long. Guiliano Bove has been extremely versatile for the Seahawks playing multiple positions. He has piled up the yards as a wide receiver and running back and on occasion as a Wildcat quarterback. “He has been one of most productive players on the offensive side of the field,” said Stanley. Defensive players Mike Locicero, Tom Opitz and James Pangallo have forced multiple turnovers against opposing offenses. Miotto and Zorn have batted down and intercepted balls when playing at the safety position. “We have been playing great defense all year,” said Stanley. “We crowd the box on offenses to snuff out their running game and have played one or two safeties back to take advantage of an opposing offenses passing game.” Since early August, the Carey football team has made it their goal to win the Long Island Championship. “We knew coming in this year we were going to have a very good team that could compete with anybody,” said Stanley. “Obviously our long term goal has been to reach and win the LI Championship.” But it has been the team’s short term goals that have put them in that position. “From the start of the season and during all of our practices the kids have kept their focus and never wavered. They knew that it would be a year-round commitment with the strength and conditioning and staying in shape and they have bought into that philosophy. They have made a lot of sacrifices for this team and that has been one of the reasons we have been so successful this year.”

Sports Psychology

Winning Ugly

(The 4 reasons athletes often win when injured or ill.) By Dr. Tom Ferraro I recall talking to Tommy John, the ex Yankee pitching ace, a few years ago at Ann Liguori’s clam bake in the Hamptons. As I stood next to him at the bar I asked him the obvious question, “What is the secret to your success?” He quickly replied, ‘I knew how to win with my B game. I even could win with my C game. It was a rare day that you don’t pitch with injury or pain. And I learned how to adapt to the problem.’ This comment is reminiscent of nearly every post-tournament interview given by Tiger Woods. He would always say, “Well, I only had my C game today but I managed it pretty well”. And who could forget his win at the US Open at Torrey Pines when he actually won the tournament with a broken leg? He limped around the course and winced on every shot but he won. There are many stories of athletes winning when injured or when ill. I recall Sean Lane, the great distance swimmer from Long Island who flew out to California and won a long distance ocean swim while suffering with the flu. He was on antibiotics, his doctor said “don’t fly out,’ but he ignored it all and won the race. Martina Navritilova was being fed intravenously before the finals of a US Open at Flushing Meadow and went out on the court and beat Chris Evert.

Many times the athlete who has a slight muscle tweak or chest cold will play better then usual. This article will explain why.

Players who are ill will usually give themselves the rest and recovery time they need and this will allow them to play refreshed.

Every athlete has been sick and has been injured. I won a big college match while having an aching toothache. So how do you explain this stuff? Is it that the athlete is tough and can tolerate pain more than the average person? Probably yes but there is more to it then just mental toughness. Here are some of the reasons for this strange dynamic. 1) If you happen to be sick or injured you will naturally slow down to protect your body. And when you slow down your performance relaxes and improves. 2) That upper respiratory infection or pulled muscles will serve to distract you from any performance anxiety you may be prone to and with less anxiety your performance always improves. 3) Your expectations will be far less when playing ill or injured and so you will likely be less harsh on yourself during play. So for once you will be kind to yourself on the fled, be less angry and this will definitely improve your play. 4) Players who are hurt or ill will rest more prior to a game. And since most players are always near burnout and are almost always over trained, this rest will mean you will have more energy to perform.

Performance will also improve after a layoff because the player will come back with a clear mind and a fresh outlook.

So, there are the four very good reasons players often play better when injured or ill. But do not take this as an endorsement to play injured or ill. If you are ill or hurt you need to visit your family doctor and get proper treatment. He may tell you to rest and you should listen to him. But if, and only if, you get medical clearance to play with a tweaked muscle or a chest cold you can expect to perform pretty well for the reasons outlined above. As they say, the injured athlete is a dangerous opponent. So watch out when you run into one.

It is always best to listen to doctors orders. If he says to rest then you should rest. This will only make you stronger when you return to play. 31

Story By: Harvey Sandig Photos By: Rich Ruotolo

“The team has played over a thousand games. The program started in 1947. Only Mattituck has played more,” so says Center Moriches boys soccer coach Chris O’Brien. With such a storied history and tradition behind them, the Red Devils enjoyed a dream season in 2009 when they won the New York State Class ‘B’ championship. Their goal is to do so again this season. Thus far, they are 10-2 overall and 7-2 in league games, losing only to Hampton Bays and Mattituck. A year ago, they were 18-3-1. The pressure to repeat is on. “We have high expectations,” the coach admitted. “We have a target on our backs. We’re supposed to win. The key for us has been our great balance. We don’t look to one player. We’re not a one-pronged attack.” Defense has been their strength. So far they have scored 50 goals, while allowing just 13. They have a number of outstanding returning athletes. Senior midfielder Harvey Hoppe at 6’ and 165 lbs. is the team’s quarterback. An AllState player, he is a 4-year varsity starter after playing two years in middle school. He was good enough to be selected to the Long Island squad of the Empire State Games in Buffalo which won the bronze medal. Over 100 players tried out. Only 16 made it. “His ability stands out immediately,” O’Brien praised. “He has very good technical

skills, knows when to attack and when not to. He also works hard off the ball. We run plays through him -- he looks to get everyone involved. He’s also a tenacious defender – the guy who dispossesses the opponent and is one of the fastest players ever.” In 2009, Hoppe scored 11 goals and had 14 assists. Thus far this season, he has 14 and 9. Forward James Whelan is a 4-year player. His coach praised him as an emotional and verbal leader in both games and practices. He also is an honor student – he is 6th in his class in GPA. “He has great field vision, is strong on the ball and is able to score the big goals,” O’Brien asserted. “He can score or find the open man. Last year, he had 14 goals and 14 assists. Thus far, he has 8 and 6.” Midfielder Brian Alifano is 6’1” and 150 lbs. “He and Harvey act as a tandem in the middle of the field – one defends and the other attacks. The other team doesn’t know who is

attacking and who is defending -- that makes us unpredictable. He scored a game-winning goal against Southampton in the regular season in late September with 15 seconds left in the 2nd overtime.” Junior forward T.J. Thompson, 5’8”, 170 lbs. is a 3-year starter. A big game scorer, he is left-footed with good speed. He’s steady under pressure. The head coach asserted that senior Jack McGarrity “holds up the fort defensively.” “At 6’, 180 lbs., he is a very physical defender -- opponents can’t get around him. He usually marks the best player on the opposition and often steals the ball. He is tenacious and wins balls in the air because of his jumping ability.” “He picks up the pieces and cleans up our mistakes,” the coach gaffed. Defender Sonny Saguto has been on the team for 3 years. “Last year, he played outside, but this year he was moved to center defense.

He is a vocal leader and has flourished with the added responsibility of playing in the middle. He is a good distributor and creates match-up problems. He scored goals against Bayport and Hampton Bays.” O’Brien has known returning goalie Peter Altman since grade school. He stands 5’9” and weighs 150 lbs. “He has quick reflexes and the ability to come up with the big saves,” he praised. “In six post-season games last year, he’s had four shutouts. Quickness is his strong point.” The club’s road to the State Championship was an exciting one. They beat Hampton Bays in the County semi-finals, 3-0. Goal scorers were Derek Beaumont, T.J. Thompson

and Brian Alifano. They dominated the finale against 3rd-seeded Southampton (who had upset the #2 seed Mattituck) and emerged victorious, 2-1. Alifano and Hoppe scored goals. “Their goalkeeper kept them in the game,” O’Brien stated. “He was fabulous.” The Long Island Championship was against Cold Spring Harbor at Adelphi University. The Red Devils won, 1-0. The only goal was scored 22 minutes to go in the 2nd half. Hoppe set up the play by sending a right-side crossing pass to Alifano who beat one defender, then the goaltender. O’Brien lauded his defense. “They did a great job to protect the ball,” he insisted. The group now moved onto the Southeast Regionals against Rye

Neck, the qualifier from the Lower Hudson Valley Region which encompasses Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess and Sullivan counties. The clash was held at Arlington H.S. in Poughkeepsie. Whalen scored a pair of goals in the 1st half as Center Moriches triumphed, 2-1. Again, great defense shone through. “It was a combination of playing together and knowing our strengths,” O’Brien admitted. “We have big physical size as some of our players are over six feet. They are good markers. Our size helps us shut down their best players.” In the State tournament held at the Wright Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta on November 21st and 22nd, Center Moriches defeated Buffalo’s Gro-

ver Cleveland H.S., 2-0, in the semi-finals. Cleveland had been undefeated at 17-0-1 going in. “They had a lot of recent immigrants – refugee kids – who have been in the country only a few years,” O’Brien recollected. “Their roster represented 14 different countries. They won the Buffalo City Championship in both the ‘A’ and ‘AA’ divisions.” Thompson scored the first goal on a corner kick on a pass from Whelan two minutes into the game. Hoppe tallied the 2nd with 12 minutes to go when he stole the ball from a midfielder and beat two defenders. Goalie Altman made 7 saves. The Cleveland net minder countered with 9. In the finals against Marcellus H.S. from Syracuse, the Red Devils won, 1-0 in a defensive struggle. In the 35th minute, Thompson took a 45-yard pass from Andrew Pirozzi and scored from 18 yards out. He looped it over the goalie who was charging. O’Brien was excited. “It was very precise. It was a great pass and shot.” Defensive stalwarts were Pirozzi and Chris Ogden. It was the first championship of any kind for the school. The closest they came before was in 2006 when the squad went to the “Final Four”. They won in the semis but lost in the finals. Their county title was the 5th O’Brien had won since he started at the school. The coach hopes to repeat in 2010. “The team has come back a couple of times. Last year when we scored first, we were 18-0. When we didn’t, we were 0-3. This year, we were down, 2-0, to Mattituck at their place, but came back to win.” “To do well, we have to rise to the occasion, play a total game and defend well,” he concluded. “We have to make the most of our chances and put the other teams away. We have to concentrate on the last touch.”

By Gary Simeone Photos by Adil Borluca

The Garden City girls Varsity Tennis Team is having one of their best seasons in a long time. Coached by Crystal Boyd, the team is undefeated and in first place in a competitive Conference One. “This is our fourth year in the conference,” said Boyd. “For the past three years we used to be the team everyone would beat up on but this year everything seemed to fall into place for us.” Lead by Senior Captain and first singles player Jacqueline Raynor, the team is 7-0 with four games left on its regular season schedule. “We’ve had a lot of improvement from some of our players over the summer and we’ve added some nice additions to the team,” said Boyd. Raynor, who came in second place in last year’s State Championships is the key to Garden City’s success. She gives the team a leadership component on and off the court. “We have a great group of girls this year,” said Raynor. “And we have a great chance to go really deep into the playoffs.” Speaking on her own personal success she hopes to make it back to States and win the whole thing. “I came in second last year up in Syracuse. Obviously this being my senior year I hope I can go back up and win the whole thing.” Raynor has committed to Quinnipiac University in Connecticut next fall.

One of the new additions to the Trojan tennis team is seventh grader and second singles player, Morgan Herrmann. The diminutive Herrmann has shown a lot of power and determination in her young career. She has yet to lose a match for Garden City. “I’ve had a lot of fun playing on this team this year,” said Herrmann. “I’ve met new people and its nice having a team to support you.” Herrmann competes in USTA tournaments which she says give her a lot of poise and patience on the court. “Playing tournaments help me deal with the mental part of the game. I compete against a lot of different types of players.” Herrman excels academically as well. She holds a 99 average and recently graduated from the Middle School’s QUEST program which places students with superior intellectual, academic and creative abilities. Third singles player Alyssa Rosello is one of those players who has improved dramatically from last year. “She has gotten so much better in her all around game and is one of the main reasons we are doing so well this year,” said Boyd. The senior has been dominant in most of her matches hitting the ball with ferocious force and coming in to put the ball away at net. “That is where she has shown her greatest improvement, in her net play.” Freshman and first doubles player Hannah Eil-

beck has made a great playing partner with Junior Marisa Cameron. The duo has won all of their matches except a recent lost to Jericho in an away game. “They are playing very well together,” said Boyd. “They have a great chemistry with each other and you can see it in each of their matches.” Second doubles has also had a successful season with the dynamic tandem of Brittany Burke and Laura Ketijian. The two players always seem to know where each other is on the court and have improved dramatically in their volleying skills. “It is something that I have worked hard on over the summer,” said Burke. It has been obvious in each of her matches as she seems to be spending more and more time at the net. The Trojans have three regular season games left on their schedule before playoffs begin on the weekend of the fifteenth. The most daunting one to their unblemished record is an away game at Syosset where Jacqueline Raynor will have to face off against top ranked first singles player Hannah Camhi. The Syosset doubles teams also pose a threat as well. “We will need to finish up strong with these last three matches heading into the playoffs,” said Coach Boyd. “We need to keep our focus.”

Story By: Michael Raimo

On a cold autumn day at Harborfields High School, the girls cross country team is stretching and goofing around like the close family that they are. The team, led by Coach Tim Russo and Assistant Coach Chris Kheuler, has experienced an extremely positive season, including a 6-0 record so far. Now, with the post season and the state championship meet in the near future, they continue to keep their undefeated record in tact. The talented team includes two outstanding runners, Kelsey Margey and Michelle Gaye. Margey, the junior captain, is looking to have a bright future in running. A former soccer player and lacrosse player, Margey entered running by participating in winter track to keep in shape for the upcoming lacrosse season.

Photos By: UA Magazine It wasn’t until her sophomore year that she joined the cross country team. When asked why she left lacrosse and soccer, Margey responded “It’s more self rewarding. It’s harder, but it’s such a different sport.” Margey currently holds numerous records in Harborfields High School. She recently broke a 25 year old record at Sunken Meadow in the 5K and the three mile race. What makes this more impressive, Sunken Meadow is considered the second hardest course in the nation. “Kelsey has been considered one of the better athletes in the school,” said Coach Russo. “After seeing her run, we believed that she could be a spectacular runner. Everything that she has accom-

plished has been such a shock to everyone, and she just continues to get better and better.” The team also has a strong leader in senior captian Michelle Gaye. “She is the MVP of our team,” said Coach Russo. Since she began running in her freshman year, Gaye has been considered one of the hardest working runners on the team. Gaye, a former soccer player and gymnast, says running has quickly become her greatest passions. When asked about her future in running, Gaye replied with “I hope to run in college. And I just want to run as long as I can.” What is a cross country team without a head coach? Coach Tim Russo has been the head coach of the cross country team since 2000. “This is the best

girls team I’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Coach Russo. When Russo first started coaching, the girls cross country team had only five female runners. It was the recruitment and persuasion of those girls that gave the Cross Country team a chance to grow. Now, each year there is always a positive turnout for Cross Country at the beginning of the season. With the program on the rise, the women’s team is looking to make the State Qualifier Meet, and have both the boys and girls make the meet for the first time since 1995. With that possibility, both sides are ecstatic, and looking towards the future. When talking about Kelsey and Michelle, Coach Russo was quoted by saying “Both are going to be unbelievable college runners.”

It takes a lot to be a cross country runner. Not only physically but mentally. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused.” said Kelsey Margey. “You definitely feel a pain for 20 minutes.” When feeling pain and discomfort, there is always a wonder what keeps a runner going during a race. Margey was quoted by saying that “There is the will to win, and the self satisfaction to finish the race.” Gaye has her own theory of winning a race. In preparation for her races, she puts her faith in her coach. Gaye mentioned “It’s following my coach. I trust him completely.” For Gaye and Margey, it’s not only the will to win for themselves that motivates them to have a great race, but rather

the will to place well for the team. To the runners on the team, the girls Cross Country team is not just a team. They are a close knit family. The team recently ran at the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina. That trip brought the team much closer together. “They all just get along so well,” said Coach Russo “They all hang out with each other outside of school, and they just like to make each other feel comfortable.” It’s not only about talent with a team. A team must have chemistry along with talent. Judging by the talent and chemistry that Harborfields produces, the Cross Country team will have very dominant years to come.

Story By: Evan Nemeroff Photos By: Natalie Hedley

As the Nassau County Class A defending champions, the Massapequa boys volleyball team knew they were going to be a target for every opponent on their schedule this year. But Head Coach Steve Mariano reminded his team before the season began to remember that people thought the program would never win when it started seven years ago. “I told the team that their roles changed now after winning and they are no longer an underdog,” Mariano said. “We had to remember that we were playing in the bottom conferences when the program started. It was important for the guys to remember where they came from and they needed to defend their title with their play on the court and not their mouths.” The Chiefs lost five starters from last

year’s championship team, but young players have stepped into new positions and have led Massapequa to a record of 9-1 and a tie for first place in Conference I. The 2010 Massapequa volleyball team consists of five seniors, three juniors and four sophomores, “We knew there were high expectations for us and that there would be pressure on young kids to step up,” said junior Christian Smith, one of the three captains for this year’s team. “We had a tough beginning of the season, but have ended it in a strong way with people realizing what their roles are. Everyone is getting a lot of experience which should help the program in the future.” The Chiefs offense is one of the tallest in Nassau County and is led by their two middles,

junior Christopher Husmann and sophomore Steven Woessner. “Our two middles are a force in the center,” Mariano said. “We are a big and fast team at the net. Both players give us two strong rotations which is needed to stop the other team from making big runs.” The offense could not be run without Smith as the team’s first setter. “Christian is a smart setter and a great player on the court,” Mariano said. “The ball comes out of his hands very quickly. He has a powerful jump serve and also can hit as a setter which helps our overall offensive rotation.” The anchor of the Chiefs defense is sophomore libero Frank DelGiudice. “Frankie is a young kid who is coming along well,” Mariano said. “He has done a great job this season and is only going to get better as he matures with age. He will develop physical and mental strengths that will help his overall game.” Husmann, who has played on the varsity team for three seasons, said it is exciting being a member of this program. “It’s a great feeling that this year’s team has stepped up with so many people playing in different positions than the past,” Hussman said. “Playing on this team has been a fun experience and we feel like we are all brothers with great team chemistry.” Mariano said he is hopeful that an early season 3-2 loss to Port Washington, which the Chiefs were winning 2-0 before losing three consecutive games, will help the team as the season progresses. “Losing helped us realize that anybody can be defeated at anytime,” Mariano said. “That was a learning experience and gave us a chance to work on our problems. We realized that we are not invincible and are not the best team. We are looking forward to seeing Port Washington again in the playoffs and want to avenge what happened in the beginning of the year.”

Mariano, who was a four-year varsity setter at West Hempstead High School from 1995 to 1998, has been the head coach at Massapequa for the last three seasons. Mariano has led the program to a county championship in 2009 and the county semi-finals in 2008. Mariano said his young team needs to work on its killer instinct before the playoffs begin, starting with the defensive effort. “We sometimes rely on our offense to carry us to a victory,” Mariano said. “We can’t do this against the better teams. We are caught standing too much watching what is happening on the court. It is important that the guys just go out and play. They can’t over think the game and need to have fun on the court.” Husmann, who is also a captain of this year’s team, said it will be his job to make sure the inexperienced players remain calm during the post-season. “Many of the sophomore players on this year’s team have never played in the playoffs before,” Husmann said. “Our team crumbles when we play nervous. I need to step up to make sure the team is calm and controlled during the playoffs to help us win and defend our county championship.”

Story By: Conor Reilly Photos By: Rich Ruotolo

The Newfield Wolverines have plenty to be excited about this football season. Entering the homestretch of their schedule, the team sits atop its division with a perfect 6-0 record. “We’ve always established our goals as coaches,” said Head Coach Joe Piccinnini. “When you get the players to buy into these goals and our philosophies, this is the result.” Piccinnini is enjoying much success in his sixth season as the Wolverines head coach. But it has been a process getting his team to the top. The last time Newfield finished the year above .500 was the 2007-08 season. Though it was sometimes a struggle, Piccinnini explains the positives of this process. “The trials and tribulations have made this team stronger. We had many underclassmen start on varsity last year, and from that experience they know exactly what needs to be done now for us to succeed.” One key for the Wolverines has been their versatility. It’s evident just by observing the team’s roster. Each player is listed with both an offensive and defensive position. “We’re not blessed to have one-way players. The guys that are out there know they have to get it done both offensively and defensively, and a lot of them are on the special teams as well,” said Coach Piccinnini. They have certainly gotten it done. In a September victory over Riverhead, junior Mike Lopez-Silva led the team in passing, and also recorded two sacks on defense. Junior Tom Diubaldo has had multiple games in which he recorded a reception as a tight end and a sack as linebacker. In the team’s victory over Half Hollow Hills East, sophomore Will Veintimilla was a one-man show. Veintimilla rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown, recorded seven tackles on defense, and returned an interception for another score. It’s not just stellar athletes playing both sides of the ball. The team has excellent depth at all positions, which Piccinnini says has been a big boost.

“At the beginning of the year, we had a lot of starters out. Especially on the offensive line, we were able to plug guys into spots and get the job done.” Along with this versatility, Piccinnini points to the team’s attitude as a main factor to Newfield’s success. “The main thing is our kids believing in what they’re being taught. It’s a great group of kids— a special group. They actually believe in what we’re teaching them in practice. They believe in our philosophies, and believe in each other, which is the biggest thing.” Nobody has proved this mindset better than junior Shervon Barthelmy. He is the backbone of the Wolverine offense, as Barthelmy leads the team in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns. His game day numbers have been staggering, and Piccinnini says that his running back has been just as impressive off-the-field. “From last year to this year, Shervon grew up and became a real easy player to coach. He’s always looking to get better and will not settle for what he’s done in the past.” The Wolverines also stay true to their titles as ‘student-athletes.’ Piccinnini makes sure they are as motivated academically as they are athletically. Along with play diagrams and game footage, there is a stack of player progress reports in his office awaiting inspection.

“Off the field we have great kids in the classroom. As far as being student-athletes, each one is a role model,” said the coach. Though the undefeated record has brought much excitement to the Newfield program, Piccinnini and his staff must work hard to keep the team driven. “We have to continue to prepare as we did in week one. Whatever we did--that’s history. We move on and focus on our next opponent.” Piccinnini also didn’t hesitate to bring in some outside motivational help. He invited Shoreham-Wading River lacrosse coach Tom Rotanz to speak to his team, and appreciated the message that Rotanz delivered. “Coach Rotanz told the players that it boils down to the fact that you have eight games to play. You’ve prepared all this time— the winter, spring, summer—you’ve prepared for just eight days... It’s hard to lose focus with that in mind.”

Though he is satisfied with the team’s work thus far, Piccinnini knows there is more to be done. Newfield is hopeful that they will take care of business in their division and then make their mark in the Suffolk County playoffs. “Everybody has a goal to be champions. This group is following along those lines every day,” said Piccinnini. The future also looks promising for the Wolverines. Much of the team’s core is younger players that will not be lost to graduation. But staying true to what he preaches, Piccinnini says that’s a conversation best saved for a later date. “We’ll keep our focus on this season for now. Starting December 1st, we’ll turn our minds towards our next opponent and see how it turns out.” If this talented group keeps up their winning ways, things should turn out just fine.

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Story By: Joe Pietaro

Throughout the modern history of the National Football League, there have been teams that have risen out of the pack, for better or worse. Being charismatic and having colorful personalities can either work for you or against you. The Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s were as dangerous on the field as they were off it and a few years later, the Cincinnati Bengals could only attest to the latter. The Rex Ryan-led Jets are somewhere in the middle. They have made more strides than the Bengals ever did but are not quite at the dynasty level of multiple Super Bowl wins that“America’s Team” was able to attain. But if attitude has anything to do with it, then the Jets are certainly on their way to bigger and better things. As a matter of fact, Ryan is looking beyond even great teams like the Troy Aikman/Emmitt Smith/Michael Irvin-led Cowboys. His sights are set on the most successful franchise in all of sports history, not just football. “When my dad was with the Jets - I believe that year was 1968, the Mets, Jets and Knicks

all won world championships,” the second-year head coach said. “We’ll lock arms with the Yankees. That sounds good to me. They’ve won 27 now. We just want to win number two here.” And that has been the contention of the team since the start of training camp. Ryan and his boys all have been very open about their goals and anything less than a Super Bowl victory would be a disappointment. Every team goes into the season wanting that and maybe even believing that they have what it takes to make that happen, but not many have the moxie to put it out there. Bulletin board fodder and setting yourself up for failure may be like playing by a hot stove for some, but Gang Green seems to relish the attention, albeit negative or positive. Much of the latter came from the Jets being profiled on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this past summer. Producers of the show said that they were allowed more access and obtained additional behind-the-scenes footage this time than with any previous team that was on the program before. Ryan’s colorful language throughout the episodes made for some good fodder but drew the ire of

people like Tony Dungy, the pious former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. But Ryan is not concerned with that and most likely would hold the opinion of someone such as Joe Namath in greater regard. “They have more swagger than we had,” said the hero of Super Bowl III of the modern day Jets. “This team is out there more. It’s a reflection of Rex and his style. Rex has a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of confidence. Being able to win is the only thing that continues that kind of confidence.” Through the first five weeks of the current NFL season, winning has been the formula for this team, building their attitude up even more. After a shaky start with a one-point home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, in which nose tackle Kris Jenkins was lost for the second consecutive year with a knee injury, things began looking up real fast. And opening up the playbook had a lot to do with it. Quarterback Mark Sanchez appeared handcuffed in Week One but then was given the liberty to use his arm and head amongst much fanfare. Once offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer trusted the second year pro out of USC enough, the Jets began putting forth a formidable passing offense to go along with a strong running game and defense. Following the Week Five win over Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings at the New Meadowlands Stadium, Sanchez had modest but yet impressive stats on the season. His decisionmaking has been vastly improved from a year ago and the fact that he had thrown zero interceptions against eight touchdowns goes a long way to prove that. “I think he’s matured on the football field in a lot of ways,” said Schottenheimer. “He’s understanding the impor-

tance of ball security.” As a rookie, Sanchez had a tendency to turn the ball over, either by throwing an ill-timed pick or coughing the ball up after taking a sack holding the ball too long. The coaching staff even went as far as making a color-coded system up with a wristband Sanchez wore, informing him of what the situation was each down and if he should play it safe. Having confidence in your signal caller goes a long way in reaching those lofty goals and that has had a trickledown effect. “Sometimes last year it felt like I was giving it away like it was my job,” Sanchez said. “It was just poor decision making. Now I trust the backs to get out, I’m hanging in the protection and giving our guys chances and they’re really coming up with big plays.” Some of them have led to impressive victories in the early, going over divisional opponents New England and Miami, propelling the Jets into first place in the AFC East. They qualified for the playoffs in Week 17 of the 2009 season and Ryan would love to make it two-for-two as a postseason head coach. The Jets may not be well liked throughout the league, but that means absolutely nothing to them. They have been able to back up all of the self-generated hype for the most part, and that goes a long way in gaining the respect of your opponent. Winning it all is the only thing that matters and perhaps they can begin their own Cowboys-style run in February. The timing could not be better. The location of Super Bowl XLV? None other than Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

Story By: Gary Simeone Photos By: Adil Borluca

The Roosevelt Rough Riders football team is having another good year under Coach Joseph Vito. They have racked up a 6-1 record with their only loss coming at the hands of division powerhouse Seaford. With the help of star tailback Donte Colter, the Rough Riders have barreled their way through opposing defenses this season. The 215 pound senior has amassed over 1100 yards making him the leading rusher in Nassau County. Quarterback Erin Parker has also been a threat on the ground. Inside linebackers Manny Jones and Jamel Wilson have been a force on the defensive side of the field. Jones has been

averaging ten tackles a game and recorded fifteen tackles against Seaford on Saturday night. The Rough Riders blew out their first three opponents by a combined score of 101 to 28. Their closest game was a come from behind overtime win over Floral Park 28-20 in week four before losing to Seaford on Saturday night. “We had been dominating most of our competition before we ran into Seaford,” said Vito. “They were beating us 21-0 at half before we got our act together.” Roosevelt scored three touchdowns, two from tailback Colter in the second half including a sixty three yarder. They would

have taken the lead but failed on a two point conversion attempt. They were able to limit Seaford on the ground by not allowing them to score any rushing touchdowns. “We were able to defend their ground game which has been one of their main weapons this season but we couldn’t stop them through the air,” said Vito. Colter who is nicknamed “the monster” by his teammates had one of the best games of his career against East Rockaway earlier this month. He had 21 carries for 243 yards and four touchdowns. His sixty yard touchdown scamper before the close of the half changed the game in Roosevelt’s favor. The Rough Riders beat East

Rockaway 36-24. In each game he has scored two or more touchdowns. “He’s improved every year since he’s been on the team,” said Vito. “He’s one of the biggest tailbacks I’ve ever had. He’s fast and if he gets in the open field forget about it you’re not going to stop him. He’s got all the tools you need to be a successful running back.” Colter, who has been scouted by Stony Brook University and other Division 1AA schools, gave Roosevelt the best odds for defeating Seaford who is currently on a thirty nine game Conference Four winning streak. “In the past three years we have been the one team that has come closest to knocking them off,” said Vito. “We had our best chance Saturday night but just couldn’t capitalize.” The defense has stood tall for the Rough Riders this season with both Jones and Wilson combining for multiple tackles at the inside linebacker position. “They have shored up the defense real well for us inside.” In the first three games the defense held its opponents to less than a hundred yards of rushing per game. “We are actually giving up more yards through the air than on the ground which is uncharacteristic for us. Usually our secondary is pretty solid but teams have made some big passing plays on us this year.” Roosevelt will play its last regular season game at Locust Valley on Saturday before the playoff schedule begins. They will most likely be a number two seed behind Seaford. “We want to get back to the Roosevelt of the early 2000’s when he had multiple Long Island championships,” said Vito. “We have the pieces in place this year and I think we are very capable of putting it all together.”

Story By: James Vacey

It’s the playoffs for Long Island high school football and the pressure is building. Victory doesn’t come easy and one false move could knock any team out of the bracket. One team, however, stands firm in their belief to never quit; to Never Say Die! Sayville’s Golden Flashes are the team that will never surrender under the intense pressure of the playoffs; continuing to play ‘til the last man is standing. Bringing their “A” game to the table, the Golden Flashes are a likely candidate for the Long Island Championship. Coach Hoss, who is head of the Sayville Golden Flashes and the offensive coordinator, is confident that his team will make it to the Long Island Championship. Coach Rob Hoss stands by his team’s performance this season and with an 8-1 record, the

Photos By: Rich Ruotolo

Golden Flashes are looking pretty good. “We are setting the bar as high as we can go,” says coach Hoss. “We are aiming for the Long Island Championship.” However, Coach Hoss offers wisdom to his players that the path should never be out of sight of the goal. “We have to enjoy the journey. If we focus on the destination the journey means nothing and we fail.” Thrusting the Golden Flashes into the playoffs is Quarterback Steven Ferriera. Ferreira, nominated for the Boomer Award leads the county in yards passing and touchdown passes. Coach Hoss had plenty to say about this star athlete, “Steven is the ‘cog in the wheel’ for this team.” Coach Hoss’ confidence in Ferriera brings an incredible faith in the rest of the team, “The way Ferriera plays, and reflects the way the

entire team plays.” Utilizing a two by two receiver line up, Coach Hoss designed the offensive strategy to protect Ferrier. “We have a fast break offense,” says Coach Hoss. “We get on the line fast enough so that the other team does not have the time to react.” Invoking a fast paced attack against the defensive line, Coach Hoss’ strategy truly puts the name ‘Flash’ to the test. “This has worked for us in the past however the opposition is getting wise to our strategy. So it is up to us to create a tempo that the defense cannot beat. By using a pressure defense we define the blitzes to throw the football.” “Our offensive strategy utilizes the power of our offense for max protection,” says Coach Hoss. “In the seven out of nine games we have played, we were trailing, but our offense is built to score quickly.” A strong offense needs a good defense. Defensive Coordinator Reed Sands has his hands full training nine new players this season. Since their defeat against Islip in the beginning of the season, their defense has only improved. “When you have a complicated defensive scheme, such as ours, you want to strengthen your defensive line and your offensive line,” says Coach Hoss. “And since our Islip game, even though the numbers haven’t been pretty, our defense has really gelled.” Speed and agility is an absolute necessity to win a playoff game and John Haggart is the man to deliver. Haggart, The Golden Flashes Tailback, has run for 197 yards this season and according to Coach Hoss is a pivotal player to his offensive strategy. “When playing Haggart we utilize the run more and we run more to take off the heat of the pass,” claims Coach Hoss. This tenth

grader serves as an asset to the Golden Flashes and exhibits the qualities of a future college prospect. What more does a team need than a powerhouse to protect the quarterback, handle the ball and destroy the opposition? Joe DeLuca, two time all county champion and nominated for the Zeller Award, dominates the field as the Golden Flashes Tight End and Nose Guard. Coach Hoss states, “DeLuca serves as an important player to the team. His physical dominance allows us to pass and set up the run.” DeLuca’s versatility offers the Golden Flashes the strength they need to execute the offensive plays and play defensively. This Titan is a versatile player that offers a magnificent talent that no Double A school can ignore. “We use a no huddle spread, and with DeLuca we can

execute this strategy, we love to throw the ball,” says Coach Hoss. DeLuca, a senior at Sayville High School, stands to be a promising addition to any college football team roster. As the playoffs continue, the spirit of the Golden Flashes will be tested in games to come. “I am very proud of the attitude that the team brings to the field,” Coach Hoss exclaims haughtily. “This team has a Never Say Die attitude, it doesn’t matter what the score is, and they never give up.” The Golden Flashes have much to offer and little to prove on the field this season. With the determination to win, a strong attitude and refusing to quit, the Golden Flashes hold the key to surviving the playoffs.

By James Vacey Photos by Rich Ruotolo

Football season has come to Long Island and a storm is brewing on the East End. The Westhampton Beach Hurricanes have made it to the playoffs three years in a row, from 2006 to 2008, and are looking to add another year to that streak. This year, the Hurricanes are gunning for the playoffs and with a record of 4-2, and are heading into the season with a positive and a promising start. When it comes to the winds of fortune, the size of their team doesn’t matter. Being the smallest team in Long Island’s Third Division however, the Westhampton Beach Hurricanes have mighty large shoes to fill. The Hurricane’s strength as a team will depend on their game strategy and confidence in their skills as players. Like the force of nature, powerful and relentless, the Hurricanes plan to storm through the pregame season right into the playoffs. Bill Parry, the Head Coach for the Hurricanes for the last fourteen years, has complete confidence in his team making it to the playoffs. “We have always struggled with size,” claims the coach. “Our goal for the year is to make it to the playoffs. We have a strong team of underclassmen with eight seniors and they are looking very good.” With a fresh team of young blood, Parry has the goods to begin a franchise that will shake Suffolk County. To make it to the playoffs, the Hurricanes are going to need a strategy that will barrel through their opponents. “For the last fourteen years we have used a misdirection offense, a Wing-T formation, that has been very successful over the years; it’s the best way to keep from being crushed,” jokes Parry. He adds, “We have a young team and it is going to be a very good year.” With Defense Coordinator Matt Fullham and Offensive Coordinator Mark Johnson on his side, Coach Parry is confident his player’s skills will bring the Hurricanes to victory. The Hurricanes are bringing to the table a strong team. The Hurricanes quarterback, Cory Schulz, exhibits an impressive 43 complete passes for 458 yards and four touchdown passes. Schulz has been rushed 63 times for 436 yards and with their offensive line watching his back, has made four touchdowns this season so far. Schulz’ record exhibits great promise to bring the Hurricanes a victorious season. While having a great Quarterback is essential, having two magnificent receivers on the end of Cory Schulz’ passes is a match made in heaven. Jesse Schulz and Niko

Jones are the Hurricanes highlighted Receivers, bringing Cory Schulz’ passes where they ought to be; right in the end-zone. Both seniors at Westhampton Beach High School, Schulz and Jones are looking to leave their mark in Hurricane history and bring success to the field. With an offensive package like this, opposing defenses better watch out.

On the Hurricanes defense, a force like a Class V tornado pushes through and cannot be held by any offensive line. Inside linebacker Ranato Alvarado has an impeccable record of 52 tackles, three fumbles, two forced fumbles and two sacks this year so far. This powerhouse brings a solid contribution to the Hurricane’s defense that should keep any offense on its toes. With Alvarado on the defense, the opposition better hold on to their helmets! On every team there is a key player that holds the team together; inspiring the team’s players to lead them out onto the field. “There is one player that is looking very good this year, and that is Connor Raynor.” says Coach Parry with much bravado. Serving as the Hurricanes tight end and defensive end, Raynor, team captain and a junior, has a lot to prove before his senior year comes. When the playoffs come good leadership is going to matter most and Raynor is going to deliver. The Westhampton Beach Hurricanes are equipped with an incredible roster that promises to suppress the opposition. With the preseason underway, Coach Bill Parry and his defensive and offensive coordinators have organized a team that will bring the Westhampton Beach Hurricanes to the playoffs. A Hurricane is coming and has football fans on Long Island asking one question; ARE YOU READY!?

UA Training

By Mike Mejia, CSCS

I absolutely love lifting weights. In fact, over the course of the past twenty-five years, I can honestly say that the number of days I’ve spent “pumping iron” far outweigh those that I haven’t. To me, there’s nothing like the feeling of iron in my hands as I challenge my body to become stronger and leaner with each passing day. I like the way it makes me feel, the increased physicality it brings to my daily life, and the visual results aren’t too bad either. Given my obvious proclivity for this time-honored form of conditioning, I completely understand why young athletes are so quick to rush

into the weight room. I’m here to tell you though, it’s a mistake and one that can often lead to serious long term consequences. Please do not misconstrue what I’m saying here; I’m all for strength training, and think it’s important for young athletes to get started with it sooner, rather than later. The problem is that most kids, as well as many coaches and parents for that matter, think that strength training and weight training are one and the same. The simple fact is, nothing could be further than the truth! Weight training, as the name implies, involves the use of external loading (usually in the form of free weights and machines) as a means of increasing both size and strength. Strength training, on the other hand, refers to the process of getting stronger as a result of repeated exposure to some type of resistance. It doesn’t matter if that resistance comes in the form of

rubber tubing, medicine balls, rocks, sticks, or even your own body weight. As long as said resistance imposes enough of a physical overload on your body, you will become stronger. By now you’re probably thinking, “But if it doesn’t matter what type of stimulus it is, why are you so against young athletes lifting weights?” There are actually a number of reasons, most of which have to do with injury prevention and optimizing athletic development in one way, or another. Not that I’m amongst those who feel that weight training is somehow inherently “dangerous”. Numerous studies over the years have shown that although adolescents are indeed at increased risk for growth plate fractures, a well designed, properly supervised strength training program, is in fact, safer than many forms of sports participation. The problem is; many of the programs that kids engage in are often not well designed, or properly supervised! And, as far as athletic development is concerned, when kids rush into weight training, before building a sound base of stability and mobility, they often incur strength imbalances and/ or movement restrictions that limit their athletic potential. This is precisely why I mandate that all the athletes I work with, regardless of age, or ability level, must first master training with their own body weight before moving on to any form of external resistance. Think about it for a minute, if you can’t do a simple body weight squat without your knees pinching together, or your spine rounding forward, or visibly shifting your weight to one side, what sense does it make to place a loaded barbell on your back? Or, how about the legions of kids that rush to the bench press, without being able to do a single push-up with proper form? Now granted, they may not necessarily get hurt right away- largely because they have the resilience of youth on their side, but over time, situations like these become precursors to injury. Before you know it, these athletes have developed significant strength imbalances and restricted their movement to the point where it becomes a liability on the playing field. Just in case you’re wondering, weight machines do not offer a better alternative. In fact, in many ways, they carry with them even more potential dangers than free weights. The problem with most machines is that they offer two dimensional resistance, and we live in a three dimensional world. What I mean by that is, when you’re on a machine, more often than not all you have to do is move the weight along some predetermined path. You’re required to exert force to get the weight moving in one direction and then control it as it comes back towards the starting position. What you’re not required to do, however, is stabilize the weight in any appreciable way, or ensure that both limbs are working at an equal rate. This means that if there are any existing strength

imbalances, training on machines will only make them worse over time. Most importantly though, this simply isn’t the way our bodies were designed to move. When an athlete exerts muscular effort on the field of play, he or she doesn’t do it along some predetermined path. There’s a constant interplay between stability and mobility that you just can’t replicate on traditional weight machines. The lone exception being cable based systems like Keiser and Free Motion equipment. Another big problem with machines is that they promote muscle isolation. Hopping on some state-of-theart gizmo and focusing on pumping up your pecs, or your quads might help you look a little more “buff”, but it will do next to nothing for your ability to run, jump, shed a block, or maintain your balance while attempting to elude a defender. That’s because our muscles weren’t designed to move in isolation, but rather as part as part of a larger kinetic chain. Everything from throwing a ball, to teeing off on the golf course, involves a complex sequence of muscular actions that we just can’t prepare for by isolating specific muscles. Not to mention that fact that doing so, might even increase your risk of injury. Think about it for a minute, if a chain s only as strong as its weakest links, and you’re constantly isolating your strongest muscles with exercises like bench presses and biceps curls, there’s inevitably going to be a breakdown at some point. That’s why when it comes to young athletes, I prefer a more systemic approach to strengthening. The following workout contains some of my favorite body weight drills for kids. Give it a try and see if it’s not significantly harder than the typical “gym based” approach many of you are used to. If you’re unfamiliar with any of the drills, log on to to my website at www.basesportsconditioning.com and check the “Exercise of the Month” archives and “Injury Prevention” section for complete descriptions and pictures.

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