Fieldston has been the dominant force in the Hudson Valley Football League in recent years and it doesn’t plan on having that stop anytime soon. The Bronx private school has rattled off two consecutive perfect seasons, 16 straight wins and four straight league titles. The players have already made up t-shirts stressing the “Drive for Five.”
“Exactly,” Eagles coach Gus Ornstein said. “Keep it rolling.”
Fieldston will do so with a two-quarterback attack featuring Kevin Fich and Sam Jacobson again splitting snaps. Fich, who could see time at halfback and plays defensive line, has the ability to tuck it and run people over, while Jacobson manages the game and makes all the throws to keep the offense moving.
They will be working with a veteran two-way line anchored by Chris Dela Rosa, Nick Fehrman and Tom Braine. Ornstein has high hopes for Ethan Gibbs at center.
“Those three guys are so experienced, but at center and at right tackle we are completely inexperienced,” Ornstein said. “We are relying on those guys to kind of take ownership of that thing and help those two young guys along.”
Experience, but not talent is also an issue in Fieldston’s wide receivers and defensive backfield. Receivers Jack Epstein and Sam Healy are both smaller, but athletic targets with great hands. Ornstein expects a big season from 6-foot-2 Matt Juzman along with Sam Horchant out wide. Junior Jabari Hurdle-Price will step in at running back.
“He missed all of last year with an ACL,” Ornstein said of Juzman. “He has looked great in training came so far.”
Second-year coach Anthony Barnes, a Nazareth alum, believes his Kingsmen program is ready to take a step forward after winning just one JV game playing a combined independent schedule last year. He returns his entire defense from a team now lined with juniors and expects his offense to be much improved.
“We can put the points up this year,” said Barnes, who also coaches with the Staten Island Hurricanes Pop Warner team. “It’s all about stopping them from scoring at this point.”
Scoring will be expected from the dual running back attack of shifty junior Kai Bryant, who runs an 4.52 40-yard dash, and bruising back Aaron Henderson, a sophomore Barnes calls the future. Henderson will also play corner.
Those two and receivers 6-foot-2 Joshua Ashley and 6-foot Brandon Townsend will give new junior quarterback Matt Domina, a New Dorp transfer, plenty of weapons to work with. Domina threw for 834 yards and eight touchdowns for the Central Cougars last year. Rudolph Durant returns at offensive line and Shaquille Stewart is back at middle linebacker.
“We are not an explosive offense, but we can get the job done,” Barnes said.
With 13 seniors, all in starting roles, returning, Moore Catholic will try to improve off a 6-5 independent season. The biggest pieces back are in the Mavericks’ vaunted running attack. A leaner yet stronger Nick Imburgia, a bulldozing fullback, will again join the athletic Justin Ortiz, who also plays defensive end, in the back field. Susan Wagner transfer Jamonta Broady will see time at running back and free safety.
“Nicky this offseason took it real serious,” Moore assistant coach Brian Ballantine said. “He’s looks like a man now. He doesn’t have all the baby fat.”
Russ Brown takes over full time at quarterback and brings with him some experience after filling in twice for the suspended Jo Jo Coughlin last season. He will work behind an offense line led by center Bobby Layburn, who will also play linebacker. St. Peter’s transfer Gus Fillippides takes over at right guard and defensive tackle. Chris Konecny is the other defensive end and senior Falhants Renoud will see time at corner.
Losing just five seniors, Riverdale will try to improve off a 5-3 compaign. Senior Mark Walsh, a running back/free safety, will be the Falcons’ most season player. He will be joined by second-year wide receiver/outside linebacker Armando Perez. Russell Johns, a 6-foot-6 pocket passer, is back under center, behind and offensive line led by Josh Wetzler and Brian Toth. First-year senior Davis Goldstein is expected to make an impact at receiver and cornerback.
“We have a shot to have a real nice year if we can stay healthy.” Riverdale coach Declan Walsh said. “If we lose a couple of guys we are going to struggle.”
Dalton will look to rebound from a 3-5 season in the Hudson Valley league behind returning quarterback Jake Horowitz. The senior threw for 631 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 698 more on the ground. He will have strong weapons in senior receiver Jeremey Allen and junior Ben Vallimarescu. The Tigers will need to replace the loss of Andrew Shein at running back.
Horace Mann won just one game in the Hudson Valley league a year ago, but does get senior quarterback Braxton Brewton under center again. Second leading rushing Andrew Schwartz, a senior, will shoulder more of the load with the graduation of Mike Felix.
