Football: Livingston Manor/Roscoe (LMR)

Talent abides as LMR faces year two

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY - You can’t go by LMR’s record of last year to give you any indication of how tough a team the Devilcats fielded in 2005. Just ask Eldred players which games were the toughest on their way to the Division V and Section 9 Class D title games, and they will tell you that the two games against Livingston Manor-Roscoe were right up there.

2005 record: 2-7 (1-2 OCIAA)

In addition to the tough losses versus Eldred, LMR lost to Pine Plains by a field goal and to Millbrook by a touchdown. They even had the ball in their hands versus Millbrook as time expired. Both of LMR’s wins came against Webutuck last season.

This year, coaches Fred Ahart and Kevin Clifford would like to build on last year’s experience and make a statement in Class D. With the loss of talent suffered by other teams, LMR feels like they have a good chance to do so.

But numbers are not quite where coaches Clifford and Ahart would like them to be. At present, the team is comprised of 32 players. As with most schools, LMR lost its share of skilled players to graduation.

Who’s gone?

When the team takes the field this year for its opener at Deposit, clad in new black and white uniforms, a number of key players that sparked last year’s inaugural campaign will be missing. Graduation claimed quarterbacks Lance Brookins and Mike Perry, running backs Dan DeVantier and Troy Kirchner and other standouts, including Ryan Taggart, Lee Sanabria, Shawn Wilcox, Brian Casey, Justin Murphy, James Madera, Kevin Gately and Jesse Maggio.

Who’s on?

One key returnee will be senior Tyler Schmidt, who will call signals. He will be rejoined by fullback Kelly Lackey. At running back, look for junior John Clancy and sophomore Mike Hendrickson. Senior Mike Misner will be in the backfield as well.

Senior Pat Mershon will play flanker, while Seth and Ethan Darbee will function at the tight end slots. Junior Josh Gorr will anchor the line at center. Guards Justin Mendez and Axel Robinson will flank him.

Senior Justin Haas and junior Mike Diescher will be the tackles. Senior Bruce Huggins and sophomore Dion Mendez will round out the team at the end positions.

While practice sessions have revealed no shortage of talent, questions remain as to how the team will perform under fire. One problem leading to the somewhat diminished numbers is the lack of a youth football program to date. That is something Clifford is working on for the future.

For now, the team will have to go to war with the existing troops.

As Schmidt sees it, he and others need to be leaders on both sides of the ball. “We’ve got a lot of talent,” he said. His goal and that of his teammates and coaches is to win the division.

What’s on tap?

LMR will get its first live contact at the Port Jervis scrimmage on August 26. Then, they will open their regular season campaign at Deposit on September 2. Last year, LMR lost to the Lumberjacks 35-0 on opening day. Week two, LMR will travel to play a non-league game under the lights against Eldred on Friday, September 8. Week three features a crossover battle at home in Livingston Manor versus reigning Class C champs Sullivan West. Then it’s off to Tri-Valley for a non-league game in week four.

Week five features a non-league tilt versus Webutuck in Roscoe, followed by a non-league game against Class B Liberty on the road.

The season winds down with a trio of league games starting with a home game in Roscoe versus Eldred, followed by a trip to Webutuck and the season finale at home versus Chester.

People will be watching this year to see how this combined venture fares. Many have suggested that other joint ventures by the two schools should follow suit. While plans for the merging of other teams are still on the drawing board, there is no doubt that a successful season by the football team could influence those decisions in the future.

Clifford and Ahart are ably assisted by Mike Hendrickson and Dave Irwin.