Football Preview - The Leader Herald

August 28, 2011
Sports
The Sunday Leader-Herald – 7B
2011 High School Football Preview
Amsterdam
■ Coach: Pat Liverio (16th year)
■ Last season: 7-2
■ Key losses: Ben Engle, Ryan Bergh, Mike Flowers, Bobby Noto
■ Returning starters: Chris Carbone, Mike Shattice (OL/DL), Brett
Stanavich (RB), Nick Liverio (TE/DE), Mike Garrison ILB-OLB), Ethan Kisielis
(OLB-ILB), Nate Fairley (FB, ILB) Matt White (WR/CB), Hector Hill (WR), Geo
Rodriquez (back up QB, TB), Vinny Sobkowich (QB), Chris Rodriguez
(OL/DL), Josh Soper (OT/DE), Mason Calhoun (OG/DT).
■ Newcomers: Hector Diaz (TB),
■ Season outlook and comments: “Only 34 guys on the team this year.
Our No. 1 key is to stay healthy with the amount of kids we have playing two
ways. We play Queensbury, Burnt Hills and Glens Falls our first three games,
so right off the bat itʼs rough — three physical games. Thatʼs going to be the
key — what our record is and health is after those three games. I think our division is really tough, most of the teams have a ton of returners. Queensbury has
almost all of their guys back, thereʼs 47-50 guys on Burnt Hills, Glens Falls,
Gloversville, South High right off the rip. Our non-league games come afterward, so there's no time to work anything out and get better. All hit or miss.”
Broadalbin-Perth
■ Coach: Jim Pelneau (first year)
■ Last season: 1-8
■ Key losses: Cody Menge (RB/DT) - Union College, Tyler Ruggeri
(WR/DB), Zach Hatcher OL/DL), Nick Hayes (WR/DB).
■ Returning starters: R.J. Pingitore (QB), Nick Coveney (RB/DE), Antonio
Ortiz (FB/LB), Percy Steele (WR/DB), Justin Rigo (LB/RB), Richie Scott (C/DT)
■ Newcomers: Luigi Magliocca, Tim Gordon (LB/RB), Anthony Visco
(WR/DB), Zack Bulger (OL/DL), Adam Welch (OL/DL), Josh Deuel (OL/DL),
Zach Newfrock (OL/DL)
■ Season outlook and comments: “If they can come together, mesh and
gel well, then we'll be alright. Weʼre a little young an inexperienced. How fast
will we get there will be a key for us. I think that our attitude is much better.
The senior leadership has been better this year than in past years. Our
camps have been better with more intensity and focus. We were a young
team last year, but they have a chip on their shoulder this year coming off a
poor season last year. We want to be back to where we've been in the past.
You can't go backwards, all we have to do now is go forward and we have to
take that next step now. Weʼre in a very challenging division. It is a battle
every single week, starting with going down to Albany Academy. Weʼre going
to have to meet those challenges and improve, definitely.”
Johnstown
■ Coach: Matt Benton (second year)
■ Last season: 0-8
■ Key losses: Brandon Hillier, Corey Quackenbush, Tommy Marshall, Josh Heberer, Rob Hall, Alan
Horning, John Luft
■ Returning starters: Brandon Jackson (FB/LB) ,
Matt Hecht (QB/FS), Anthony Young (TB/CB), Jake
Beardon (TB/CB), Nate Sweetman (WR/OB), Steve
Savage (FB/MLB), Jason Hill (G/DE) Derek Barnholt
(TB/MLB), Brandon Akey (LT/DE), Joe Nellis (C/DE),
Kyle Decker (OT/DT). Matt Wells (OG/DT), Ethan
Cretser, Andy VanHusen
■ Newcomers: Adam Caputo (FB/OLB), Ryan Auty
(TB/wing back), Logan VanderHeide, Austin Manchester, Matt Szurek (QB/FS), Jeremy Meher, Josh Allen,
Kieran McCoy.
■ Season outlook and comments: “The effort in
practice is hot some days and cold some days. The
guys are looking forward and excited about the season.
I think theyʼve set goals for themseleves to win football
games, but they have to put in the effort to win games.
I've been working them on being great practice players
then they'll become good players during game day. The
kids that have stepped up two levels and thatʼs what
they needed to be — kids playing at a varsity level.
Whether we can control ourselves when were down
will be a big question this year. Can we fight back? Or
will we throw in the towel like in years past.”
Dolgeville
■ Coach: Chris Connolly (ninth year)
■ Last season: 7-1
■ Key losses: Michael Barnes (LB/RB), Jack Ray
(DE), Alex Snyder (DB/HB), Jack Bilger (OG/DT), T.J.
Scharpou (DL/TE)
■ Returning starters: Travis Kopet (DL/TE), Ray
Ruggerio (DB/SE), Jared Frederick (LB/RB), Luke
Nourse (DB/SE), Kaleb Smith (MLB), Zach Farquhar
(LB/RB), Jake Darling (QB), Jesse Warner (LB/OL)
■ Newcomers: Derek Barker (DL/OL), James Brys
(DL/OL), David Congdon (DB/SE), Devin Coonradt
(DB/RB), Austin Frederick (LB/OL), Austin Kollbeck
(DL/OL), David Levey (DB/RB), Caleb Voohees (DL/OL)
■ Season outlook and comments: “We have
great team chemistry. Weʼve had great turnout for our
off-season workouts. Weʼve got good overall team
speed. We need to stay healthy and injury free. Our
younger players need to step up and learn. We also
need to replace some defensive linemen. Weʼre looking to be competitive in a challenging league.”
Friday, September 2
Hudson at Johnstown, 7 p.m.
Queensbury at Amsterdam, 7 p.m.
Gloversville at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 3
Broadalbin-Perth at Albany Academy, 1:30 p.m.
Canajoharie at Coxsackie-Athens, 1 p.m.
Watervliet at Fonda-Fultonville, 2 p.m.
Dolgeville at New York Mills, 1 p.m.
Friday, September 9
Glens Falls at Gloversville, 7 p.m.
Fonda-Fultonville at Canajoharie, 7 p.m.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake at Amsterdam, 7 p.m.
Johnstown at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 10
Waterville at Dolgeville, 1:30 p.m.
Saranac Lake at Broadalbin-Perth, 2 p.m.
Friday, September 16
Hudson Falls at Johnstown, 7 p.m.
Schalmont at Broadalbin-Perth, 7 p.m.
Cairo-Durham at Canajoharie, 7 p.m.
Glens Falls at Amsterdam, 7 p.m.
Gloversville at South Glens Falls, 7 p.m.
Fonda-Fultonville at Taconic Hills, 7 p.m.
Gloversvilleʼs
Cam Oathout
Gloversville
■ Coach: Jared Bongo (second year)
■ Last season: 2-6
■ Key losses: Michael Johnston (RB/S), Adam
Burlett (FB/LB), Garin Malagisi (OT/DT), Jeremy
Morey (OG/OLB), John Stanyon (NG)
■ Returning starters: Cam Oathout (QB/S), Jake
McClosky (WR/DB), Zach Handy (OT/DT, Tyler Gray
(OG/LB), Hunter Goodwin (OT/DT), Greg Mosetti
(WR/DB), Cody Webber (FB/OLB)
■ Newcomers: David DelRio (G/LB), Mike Priolo
(OG/DT), Devin Moldt (C,DT), Mike Fancher (QB/S)
■ Season outlook and comments: “I think weʼll be
competitive every game and have a much better
record than last year. Weʼre looking to go deeper in
the playoffs.”
■ On QB Cam Oathout: “He was a good player last
year. He can beat you with his feet or his arm. Heʼs
the best runner on the team, but he can also throw
the ball. He gives the offense more options. More
guys around him have matured and we have more
speed in the skill positions this season. If our line
holds up, we'll be alright. I think where Cam goes,
we'll go.”
Canajoharie
■ Coach: Ken Sullivan (13th year)
■ Last season: 5-3
■ Key losses: Pete Schwab RB, Matt Shannon
(first-team LB, senior all-star), CJ Renzi (G), James
Schnettler (DT), Nate Sitterly (DE), Zach Wilder
(OLB), Brandon Johnson (OT)
■ Returning starters: Phil Nalli (QB), Billy Winsman (C), Dante Binotto (LG), Ryan Hodge (WR), Joe
Horning (TE-FB), DB - Kevin Shannon (DB), Steven
Introne, Austin Fridenberger (TE/Slot).
■ Newcomers: Zach Foltz (DE), Keith Briggs (OT),
Dylan Veeter (DB), Zach Ruszkowski (LB), Josh Cost
(LB), CJ Renzi (OLB/RB)
■ Season outlook and comments: “Weʼre very,
very young with some returning veterans. We have
enthusiastic kids, who are a little green, but if they
continue to work hard and put in the time we'll be fine.
Iʼd be happy to be 5-3 again. Being in the Cʼs is
tough.”
■ On QB Phil Nalli: “Phil did a great job last year,
once he bought into the system. You could almost see
the maturity form his first snap to his last snap. He
turned into a much better football player, mentally, and
physically using all his tools did an outstanding job.”
High School Football Schedule
Saturday, September 17
Dolgeville at West Canada Valley, 2 p.m.
Friday, September 23
Queensbury at Gloversville, 7 p.m.
Johnstown at Schalmont, 7 p.m.
Broadalbin-Perth at Schuylerville, 7 p.m.
Amsterdam at South Glens Falls, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 24
Chatham at Fonda-Fultonville, 1 p.m.
Canajoharie at Voorheesville, 1 p.m.
Dolgeville at Oriskany, 2 p.m.
Friday, September 30
Amsterdam at Gloversville, 7 p.m.
Broadalbin-Perth at Johnstown, 7 p.m.
Canajoharie at Taconic Hills, 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 1
Fonda-Fultonville at Cairo-Durham, 1 p.m.
Cooperstown at Dolgeville, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 6
Chatham at Canajoharie, 7 p.m.
Fonda-Fultonville
■ Coach: Tom Carpenter (sixth year)
■ Last season: 6-3
■ Key losses: Luke Nethaway, Mike Downing (QB),
Josh Coopris (LB), Len Lilley (OL/DL)
■ Returning starters: Don Boyer, Zach Cary
(RB/LB), Cody Fisher (DE), John Johnson (LB), Alex
Kocjan (DB/WR), Jarrett Ladd (WR/DB), Travis Mulyca (K), Charles Parslow (WR), Kody Shaw (QB),
Tom Singleton (OL/DE), Dom Neri (OL/DT), Zach
Nowak (OT/LB), Kevin Twardzik (WR/S) Tyler Cranker
(C/DE), Wally Kowalski (RB/LB).
■ Newcomers: Jake Sammons (WR/DB), Will
Turner (DE/WR), Ryan Derby (WR/S), Matt Westfall
(WR/DB), Eric Brown (DL), Bobby VanAlstyne (OL).
■ Season outlook and comments: “We had seven
seniors last year. Luke, Mike, Lilley were good players, but I think we had a lot of guys that were JV kids
that got expereince last year. Our team chemistry is
really good. The guys worked out quite a bit over the
summer which has helped. This year, we have better
overall team speed and experience. We have more
expereince on the field than last year. Weʼre hoping to
win our division. That's our first goal. We havenʼt done
that in a while. Then we want to contend for the sectional title. That what our goals are every year.”
■ On QB Kody Shaw: “He has a strong arm and
heʼs smart. Heʼs worked really hard this summer.”
Friday, October 7
Mohonasen at Gloversville, 7 p.m.
Cobleskill-Richmondville at Broadalbin-Perth, 7 p.m.
Johnstown at Schuylerville, 7 p.m.
Dolgeville at Mohawk, 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 8
Voorheesville at Fonda-Fultonville, 1 p.m.
Colonie at Amsterdam, 7 p.m.
Friday, October 14
Cobleskill-Richmondvile at Johnstown, 7 p.m.
Amsterdam at Scotia-Glenville, 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 15
Coxsackie-Athens at Fonda-Fultonville, 1 p.m.
Gloversville at Albany, 1 p.m.
Canajoharie at Watervliet, 1 p.m.
Broadalbin-Perth at Hudson Falls, 1:30 p.m.
Dolgeville at Westmoreland, 1:30 p.m.
Friday, October 21-Saturday, October 22
Playoffs/Crossovers, TBA
Friday, October 28-Saturday, October 29
Playoffs/Crossovers, TBA