New beginnings

Richard A Ross
Posted 8/21/12

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Summer wanes but fall is impatient to assert itself as legions of autumn athletes have taken to the fields and courts in preparation for the 2014 campaign. And consequently, …

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New beginnings

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LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Summer wanes but fall is impatient to assert itself as legions of autumn athletes have taken to the fields and courts in preparation for the 2014 campaign. And consequently, this sports column resumes after a summer hiatus. Its autumnal mission is to keep readers apprised of the highlights of football, soccer, cross-country, volleyball and girls tennis. Each sports season has its unique allure, but fall has the added excitement of the newness of the school year.

This past week this writer/photographer made the rounds of Sullivan West football, boys and girls soccer and cross-country and ventured out to Tri-Valley to watch some girls soccer and football practices there, too. The big news in football this year is that there are now only four teams in Class C instead of eight, which was the array last season. Sullivan West will vie against league rivals Millbrook, Liberty and Tri-Valley, hoping to be one of the top two teams to earn a playoff berth at Dietz Stadium. The Bulldogs missed out on the playoffs in 2013 and a veteran cadre of gridders will look to see that doesn’t happen again. Defending Class C champion James I. O’Neill as well as Burke have moved up to Class B. Onteora is not fielding a team. Fallsburg has only junior varsity. In Class D, Eldred will clash with four-time defending champion Chester as well as against Roscoe-Downsville. Livingston Manor returns to the foray this year after a year of fielding only junior varsity. In soccer and cross-country Sullivan West drops to Class C with new league rivals in S.S. Seward, Chester, Tri-Valley and Tuxedo. Opening-week action features Sullivan West hosting O’Neill in a non-league football game on September 5. Earlier that afternoon the Lady Bulldogs will travel to Eldred for a non-league soccer game. Tri-Valley’s football team looks to best last year’s winless season with an opener at Pine Plains. Monticello will host Ellenville in a non-league game on September 6. Roscoe will travel to Eldred on September 5, while the boys squad heads off to Seward for a non-league tilt. Liberty’s girls visit Livingston Manor on September 6. Monticello will host a cross-country meet on September 9. Sullivan West and Eldred will be on hand for that one. The same day Tri-Valley will host the Port Jervis and Liberty harriers. For ongoing stories, visit www.sportsinsightsny.com and be sure too look in on www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com with a panoply of county superstars. Parents from Sullivan West, Eldred and Tri-Valley who are interested in having me shadow their sons or daughters for the season to provide them with a DVD of outstanding action shots at the end of the season should e-mail rross@sportsinsightsny.com.

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