2018 HERALD High school Football preview
West HempsteA HempsteAd Hempste Ad Revamped Rams rolling out new turf field By ANDREW MCCLURE
seniors Justin Outmazine and ball into the hands of the team’s Sean Plasencia are in the mix for playmakers. If Duran becomes a positions in the secondary. threat to run the ball when his Following the blueprint number is called, the attack will be fter a two-win campaign, will important for West all the better. the 2017 season was a Hempstead. “We only have Senior wingback Frank Mesbounce back year at West 20-22 guys, but I really like sina, the only returning starter at Hempstead. But, it was about this group,” Carre said. “We a skill position, brings experience, as up and down as it could get. have a lot of pieces to try power, and toughness to the The Rams, who played all of their gridiron. Messina is always reach- to put together, and a big games on the road while their test in Week 1. I think we’ll home field underwent a complete ing for the extra yard and will do be good on the offensive line. whatever it takes to get the job makeover, got off to a slow start, We’ll stick to basics, and try to but rallied back to win two of their done. Junior Jerry Forti, who was last three games to earn the No. 7 called up to the varsity as a sopho- control the line of scrimmage. For half of last season, we were sucmore, is another hard-nosed back seed in the playoffs. cessful by running just a handful West Hempstead was 15 sec- who will get plenty of touches. of plays. It’s all about executing.” The X factor out of the onds away from pulling off a major West Hempstead will open upset in the opening round of the backfield is Jaden Mason. If the fleet-footed rising sophomore gets up at home on its new turf field postseason, but eventual Long when No. 6 East Rockaway visits loose, watch out. Senior Dylan Island champion Seaford came Mojica will handle the fullback from behind and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The Rams duties. If the double-wing finished with an overall record of offense is to be successful, 4-5. strong play from the guys on There are a lot of unknowns the offensive line is essential. for West Hempstead as it enters Fortunately for the Rams, this the 2018 season. The team lost nearly all of its starters and numer- is an area where they have a ous positions are up for grabs. The little experience. Senior guards Khari Dash, a three-year No. 8 seed in Nassau Conference IV will face a challenging schedule varsity performer, and Jason Brown both started in 2017. that includes the likes of Seaford, Dash and Brown are aggresCold Spring Harbor, East Rockasive and strong, and do a nice way, and Clarke. job of pulling and taking out Head coach Dom Carre ends and linebackers. knows there’s a lot of work to be Senior center Jacques done, but likes the makeup of his KHARI D DAsH DA AsH As Naugaus adds size and team. “We lost just about everybody, but we have a lot of players strength to the front five. Naugaus replaces three-year back who have been around starter Emerson Maldanado. Senior on Sept. 8 for a 2 p.m. kickoff. awhile and are familiar with the Friends Academy (Week 3), Donato D’Agosto will handle one system,” Carre said. “We have a Clarke (Week 5 for a 6:30 p.m. of the tackle positions. Senior nice group of aggressive, physical kickoff ) and Mineola (Week 9) Anthony Salimbene will start at players. There are open competiare additional visitors. The Rams tions for a lot of spots. Right now, one of the tight end slots. The defensive line will feature face Seaford in a playoff rematch it’s a work in progress, but we’ll be on the road under the lights in Dash, Naugaus, and Brown, but ok.” Week 2. Senior Nick Duran takes over many spots won’t be determined until opening day. Messina returns at quarterback for West Hempstead. Duran has the makeup of an at inside linebacker, with Forti ideal signal caller out of the double and Salimbene also appearing wing; a hard-nosed player who can to have locked up starting roles at linebacker. Duran, Mason, and manage the offense and get the
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54 — September 6, 2018
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Nick Duran
FRANK MessINA
Schedule 8 14 22 29 5 13 19 27
September East Rockaway 2:00 p.m. @ Seaford 6:30 p.m. Friends Aca. 2:00 p.m. @ Jericho 2:00 p.m. October Clarke 6:30 p.m. @ Island Trees 2:00 p.m. @ C.S. Harbor 6:00 p.m. Mineola 2:00 p.m. Photos by sue Grieco
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