by JoAnn Lee DeLauter Last season the Mepham Varsity Pirates finished four-and-four but this season they are working to be faster, better and stronger with the opportunity of improvement waiting for them just past the goal line. With school starting just around the corner, Mepham’s hard-hitting football team already started practicing in order to strive for the best this season. The team has shown constant improvement from previous seasons, which was evident in their appearance at the Conference II semifinal game at Hofstra last year. For some of the players, training does not end. With four-days-a-week conditioning in the weight room since last December, they are sure to be a team to look out for. There is an obvious spirit they are taking with them onto the practice field. “Always putting in 100%,” senior Pat Receno said. According to Coach Anthony Cracco, the team is exhibiting an eagerness and hunger for victory so far in practice. “The varsity has been better than in years past…we want to be a Thanksgiving team and get the opportunity to play in the championships,” he remarked. This year there are new players mixing with veterans to bring a new definition to the meaning of “team.” “We definitely have a better mindset going into the year,” says senior Shane Agostino. “We are more confident.” Like every accomplished team, they are led by confident leaders. Coach Cracco spoke of one player in particular – as well as the team as a whole.
“I think when talking about individuals it is tough to do because we really do have a team mentality. But the first guy that comes to mind is Joe Aliberti...He brings toughness and an attitude to the team that pushes us to be tough on both, the offensive and defensive side of the ball.” He is going into his fourth year as a starter and is one of the premier players in the county. According to Coach Cracco, Aliberti is one of the hardest workers and with that he sets the tone for the rest of the team. “We are a young team skillwise, but we have a good core, we came together closest off-season and now are ready to go!” said Aliberti about going into the season. When it comes down to Homecoming on September 15 against Kennedy, the Pirates will step on the field with spirited confidence. “It is always a great game regardless of when we play them in the season, where we both are as programs, types of years we are expected to have, they’re always battles and tight games. In any sport the Mepham/Kennedy rivalry brings out the best in both teams,” said Coach Cracco. Last year Mepham defeated Kennedy 15-0, but stay tuned for the alwaysinteresting school rivalry as well as Mepham’s 75th Anniversary Celebration! This year will sure be one to remember for the Mepham Pirates. Joann Lee DeLauter will be a senior at Mepham editing her school newspaper The Buccaneer. She is interning at Bellmore Life.
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Mepham football schedule The Mepham 2012 varsity football schedule is as follows (home games in bold):
September 29 – Garden City, 1:30 p.m.
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Bellmore Life Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Page 2
Mepham varsity football Pirates see improvements this season