Sullivan County Football Preview

Are you ready for some football?

Five Sullivan County teams gear up for the 2007 season

By RICHARD A. ROSS

PORT JERVIS, NY - A week before the other fall sports athletes reported for their first day of practice, football players across Section Nine arrived at camp and began the grueling work of preparing for the upcoming season with renewed vigor and hope.

For Sullivan County teams that include Class B Liberty, Class C Tri-Valley and Sullivan West and Class D Eldred and Livingston Manor/Roscoe (LMR), a new year means a clean slate and a chance to improve on last year’s campaign.

Each of the five county teams expects to be as good or better than last year, but great expectations are always part and parcel of the preseason. Time will tell just how well each team fares in the face of daunting opponents and the minefield of potential injuries that can upend a season in a single instant.

At scrimmages held on August 25, each team had a chance to face off in live contact to try out its offense, defense, kick offs, point after kicks and to get in some licks against area teams equally stoked for the upcoming season.

The scrimmages proved what all of the coaches already knew: there’s much more work still to be done before the opening kickoff.

At Liberty High School, LMR, Liberty and Tri-Valley took turns going at each other in the heat of the morning. In the evening, Sullivan West and Eldred traveled to the annual Port Jervis scrimmage to bang hats with Goshen, Highland, James I. O’Neill and Port Jervis. Darkening skies and lightning cut the Port Jervis scrimmage short, but teams did get several series in with their offense, defense and special teams.

At each scrimmage, coaching staffs were eyeing their opponents, trying to divine what makes them tick on both sides of the ball. No one got much, as coaches show precious little of what they have up their sleeves for the real frays. Game films will yield more information once the season gets underway. Scouting opponents and scheming prior to encountering them is vital to a team’s preparation.

Here is a breakdown of the five Sullivan County teams (in alphabetical order) that will afford insights into last year’s successes and failures, this year’s personnel, key players no longer on the scene and an overview of each team’s schedule.

ELDRED has been a dominant force in Class D for the past two years, racking up an impressive record of 17-4. This year, the Yellowjackets look to continue that storied run. In 2006, they won their second consecutive Class D Division title and, were it not for a last minute miscue in the Section Nine title game at Dietz Stadium, they would have garnered their second consecutive Section Nine Class D title as well.

That final Eldred play that led to an interception by Chester’s Darren Mann still reverberates in the memory of coach Frank Kean, now in his 33rd year and assistant coach John LiGreci, as it does with a host of returning players. Eldred finished at 8-2 (3-0). Its only losses were to Chester, in a non-league game, and the title fray at Dietz.

Eldred is big in size once again and anxious to get back to Dietz Stadium. Since there are only three Class D teams in Section Nine that seems like a likely possibility. Still, Eldred is going to have to take it one game at a time during its tough schedule and stay healthy. There are no givens in football.

Who’s gone? The most important cog in Eldred’s offense was quarterback Nick McCormick, who passed for a school record of 1,212 yards. Also gone are fullback Hilton Johnson, receiver Sean Colley, linemen Dan Driscoll, Marcus Chandler, Frank DeCostanza, Jesse Hammel and running back/quarterback Steven Geiger.

Who’s on? Eldred features a big offensive line anchored by Bobby Morrigia at center. After ginormous tackle Willy Casnay went down with a knee injury this past week, the coaches had to reshuffle their line, which will probably feature senior Nick Simonelli and strong freshman Gino Jones at guard; senior Chris Mehedin, along with sophomores Zach Tyler and Matt Puzio, at tackle; with fleet-footed senior Kojo Williams and freshman Steven Combs at end. At quarterback will be sophomore Brian Henry or senior Stan Smith. Lumbering Kevin Prunka, who rushed for 1,102 yards for 6.2 yards per carry last year and had 13 touchdowns, and veteran Chris Leader will return to the backfield, along with half back Christian Martinez. Tom Compasso will be a flanker in Eldred’s volatile passing array. Henry throws a great ball. Former Eldred standout Patrick Kean will join the coaching staff as offensive coordinator this year.

Schedule: Eldred opens at home under the lights on August 31 facing annual rival Hancock from Section Four. Last year, Eldred defeated Hancock 39-18 in a road opener. The rest of the schedule is as follows: 9/8 at Liberty, 9/15 at Tri-Valley, 9/21 at LMR (non-league), 9/29 versus Chester (league), 10/6 at Pine Plains, 10/13 versus Millbrook, 10/19 versus LMR (league), 10/27 TBA.

LIBERTY finished its 2006 season at 1-8, with its only win a 42-14 rout of LMR. The Indians went 0-4 in their division. This year looks far more promising with a cohesive unit of hard-working players in the fold for coach Jim O’Connor, enhanced by the off-season acquisition of Ryan and Dustin VanLieu, who transferred in from Tri-Valley.

Who’s gone? Liberty graduated eight seniors, including quarterback André Brand and solid lineman Troy Bertholf. But this year’s team, while younger, looks better than its forerunner.

Who’s on? Liberty’s strong suit is in its backfield with juniors Dustin VanLieu at tailback and Ryan VanLieu at fullback. Senior big back Trevor Tompkins returns to the fold with his strong running game to round out the Power I attack.

Senior Joey Ruiz, who spent time at quarterback last season, returns to call the signals. Sophomore Brandon Tompkins and juniors Jesse Williams, Ivan Rivera and Steve Hewitt add additional depth to the backfield-loaded Indians.

The Liberty line is anchored by senior center Brian Williams. Guards include junior Conor Hinton, Fred Kelder and Darren Klein. At tackle, Liberty features Shane Fitzsimmons and senior Justin Mills, who can also split out as a receiver. Seniors Abi Rubio and Justin Katz will play tight end. Tony Hernandez adds depth to the line at tackle.

Schedule: Liberty opens up on the road against Section Four Class C powerhouse Delhi on 9/1. The rest of the schedule is as follows: 9/8 versus Eldred, 9/14 at O’Neill (league), 9/20 versus Spackenkill (league), 9/29 versus Highland (league), 10/6 TBA, 10/13 versus Ellenville (league), 10/19 at New Paltz (non-league) and 10/27 at Peekskill.

LMR hopes to get games in the win column this year after its 0-9 (0-3) 2006 campaign.

Who’s gone: Unquestionably LMR’s biggest loss resulted from the tragic death of fullback Kelly Lackey, who died in a car crash during the 2006 season. LMR also lost Eric Bonilla, Patrick Mershon, Mike Miesner and Tyler Schmidt to graduation.

Who’s on? Coaches Fred Ahart and Kevin Clifford will profit from the return of veterans like seniors Seth Darbee at tight end, Mike Diescher at tackle, Josh Gorr at wingback, Justin Mendez at center and Axel Robinson at guard. Sophomore Stephen Rogers will see major time on the line as well.

Other players this year include freshman William Parker at guard and juniors Brandon Smith and Ethan Darbee at tackles. Sophomore Troy Edwards will be the quarterback with junior Mike Mershon at fullback. Junior Shane Lewis will add dimension as a running back, as will junior Mike Hendrickson at fullback.

Schedule: LMR will host Deposit on 9/1. The rest of the schedule is as follows: 9/8 at Tri-Valley, 9/14 at Pine Plains, 9/21 versus Eldred (non-league), 9/28 at Unadilla Valley, 10/6 versus Millbrook, 10/12 at Blind Brook, 10/19 at Eldred (league) and 10/26 at Chester (league).

SULLIVAN WEST racked up its third consecutive Section Nine title last year by defeating Tri-Valley in the Section Nine Class C championship game 48-27. The Bulldogs ended their season at 6-5 (3-0), losing resoundingly to Dobbs Ferry in the first round of the states.

Who’s gone? Sullivan West lost several key skill players from last year’s campaign. Undoubtedly, the team’s biggest loss resulted from the graduation of Class C Lineman of the Year Alan Ackermann. Wide receiver Donald Cooper transferred to Newburgh Free Academy to work on his track and field career. Lost to graduation as well were veterans Justin Alsdorf at flanker, running back Jon Figueroa, tight ends Bryan Schmidt and Matt Swendsen, impact linemen John Dertinger and defensive back Patrick Knack.

Who’s on? First and foremost is the return of senior quarterback Jim Moloney, Section Nine’s top passer last season with 1,430 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Bulldogs got a scare at the Port Jervis scrimmage when Moloney limped off the field with an ankle injury, but it proved to be nothing serious. Junior Dan Figueroa and senior Will Schlott return at running back, along with sophomore running back/kicker Artie Norden. Senior Jason Leewe and Junior Nick Mootz provide more running for the Bulldogs. Senior Logan Frazer will get some carries as well at fullback.

Junior Brad Reimer and sophomore Gabe LaGrutta will be the ends. Reimer splits out at flanker at times and is apt to be a frequent target for Moloney. Junior Stephen Steffens will play at flanker as well. Tackles include junior veteran John Whittaker and senior Tom Lynch. More experience on the line is found at guard with senior Luke Tonjes and junior Tyler Wagner. Senior Nick Redmond will start at center. Junior Mike Schmidt will line up at tight end and junior Mike Pomes will see play on the line as well.

Schedule: Coach Ron Bauer’s Bulldogs travel to Section Four powerhouse Walton on September 1. This will be the first year in awhile that Sullivan West is not playing Delhi. The rest of the schedule is as follows: 9/7 versus Red Hook (all of Sullivan West’s home games will be in Lake Huntington under the lights), 9/14 at Albertus Magnus, 9/20 at Chester, 9/28 versus Pine Plains (league), 10/6 versus New Paltz, 10/12 versus Spackenkill, 10/20 at Tri-Valley (league) and 10/26 at Millbrook (league)

TRI-VALLEY was the runner up to Sullivan West in Class C in 2006 with 6-4 (2-1). Bringing back a core of veterans who are committed to hard work and improving every week, Coach John Rusin’s Bears look very strong coming into this season despite the loss of the VanLieu brothers, who transferred to Liberty.

Who’s gone? The Bears will miss the fine play of fullback Kyle Bryne, wide receivers Max Fiedler, Gary North and Brendan Walsh, running back Kevin Smith, tight end James Knapp and kicker Alex Calabrese.

Who’s on? Back at quarterback following his recuperation from a knee injury is Charlie Edwards, who will be joined in the backfield by senior veteran Brendan Musa and junior Mike Towt. Sean and Kevin Drown, along with sophomore Matt Bogarad, will be the wide receiving corps, and junior Jesse Boncek will add depth as a backup running back.

Tri-Valley’s great line depth features returnees junior Andrew Yager at center, standout senior guards Garrett Grey and Bo Murphy, junior tackle/defensive lineman Bob Fiedler and senior tackles Ed Bonnell and Tanzeel Khan. Added depth on the line comes from senior Mike Mickelson.

Three-year veteran Nick Cassidy will play end.

Schedule: Tri-Valley opens at O’Neill on August 31. The rest of the schedule is as follows: 9/8 versus LMR, 9/15 versus Eldred, 9/20 versus Rye Neck site TBA, 9/29 versus Millbrook (league), 10/6 versus Walton, 10/12 at Chester, 10/20 versus Sullivan West (league) and 10/26 at Pine Plains (league).

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of preseason photos and coverage of the teams throughout the season.