Football: Sullivan West

Bulldogs begin quest for Class C title defense

Speed becomes an asset for ’06 campaign

By RICHARD A. ROSS

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY - After having claimed back-to-back Section 9 titles with a 21-12 win over Class B Marlboro in 2004 and last year’s 34-7 win over Class C Tri-Valley, Sullivan West embarks on its bid for a Section 9 three-peat with a markedly different cast.

Who’s gone?

Graduation stripped the Bulldogs of several key players who were instrumental in the team’s successful 2005 campaign. Gone now are Lineman of the Year Brian Hubbert (108 tackles and 13 sacks), All-stars Jim Erlwein (144 tackles), Brett Youmans (115 tackles) and Steve Daley (116 tackles). Also missing from the 2006 Dawgs is June graduate Paul Pitz, who torched the opposition with his fine receptions, and center Ben Tonjes. All of the aforementioned players and others helped Sullivan West on both sides of the ball. Also lost to graduation were Mike Peck, Bryce Copp, Abner Argueta and Mike Carriere.

Who’s on?

Key to Sullivan West’s success this year is the return of veteran quarterback Jim Moloney. He will be joined in the backfield by other vets including Jason Leewe, Will Schlott and John Figueroa. Sullivan West will not have the burly running of Erlwein and Daley, but they will have the great speed of these three running backs along with fullback Anthony Rasmussen and speedster Dave Figueroa.

Moloney will have a fine receiver corps comprised of ends Justin Alsdorf, Bryan Schmidt and Donald Cooper. Brad Reimer is currently hurt but may be back as well.

Matt Swendsen will anchor the line at center, while John “Tank” Dertinger and Tyler Wagner will flank him at the guard positions. Alan Ackermann, James Tyles, John Whitaker and Tom Lynch will rotate at the tackles positions.

Sullivan West’s coaching staff is nearly the same with head coach Ron Bauer assisted by Chris Reichmann, J.P. Lang, Kurt Buddenhagen and Keith Travers.

Sullivan West has a cadre of about 40 athletes out for football with numbers down slightly from last year.

What’s on tap?

The regular season gets underway on September 2 at Delhi, a team that brings back most of its veterans. Last year, the Bulldogs of Delhi thrashed Sullivan West 62-6 so a worse performance by Sullivan West in this year’s opener is highly unlikely.

Sullivan West beat Delhi 12-0 in 2004. On September 8, Walton will play under the lights in Lake Huntington. Last year, Sullivan West nearly upset Walton in a bid that was aborted by several questionable calls by officials. In week three, the Bulldogs travel to Livingston Manor to take on Class D LMR before playing their first league game at Pine Plains on Friday, September 22. This year, Sullivan West will contend for Class C against Pine Plains, Tri-Valley and Millbrook. On homecoming weekend last year, the Bulldogs handily defeated Pine Plains at home in the pouring rain, but succumbed to Tri-Valley in overtime to lose the division title. Sullivan West mauled Millbrook on the road last year. On September 29, the Bulldogs will take on Chester at home, before traveling to Burke and Webutuck for non-league games. Two years ago, Sullivan West and Burke were both undefeated before the Bulldogs demolished the Eagles. Sullivan West shut out Webutuck last year.

The Bulldogs finish out their regular season with league battles against Tri-Valley and Millbrook in a pair of Friday night games.

Look for the Bulldogs to be strongly competitive as the season evolves.