Hempstead Tigers

HEMPSTEAD

Experienced Tigers are trending upward

By BRIAN KACHARABA

ootball life has come full circle for Matthew Ali. After spending the last several years in the college ranks, the Sayville native returns to Long Island to take over as head coach of a Hempstead team that rallied to make the playoffs last year thanks to a strong fi nish to the regular season and returns many impact players. Ali has already built up a nice coaching resume. He was the outside linebackers coach at Monroe College and the head coach of that school’s JV the last two years after coaching the wide receivers, tight ends and being the special teams coordinator the previous two seasons at his alma mater, Hartwick College. “It was a no-brainer, an unbelievable opportunity for myself,” he said. “They’re a hard-working group. There’s talent all around and I’m looking to take that talent to the next level. For me, that starts with holding players accountable, building a structure [and] building a culture.” The Tigers produced their best scoring output in 13 years in the fall of 2021 with 236 points – an average of almost 30 a contest – and most of the players that contributed to that number are back. Senior quarterback Jakkai Stith is a dual threat who can break a long run, as evidenced by his 90-yard touchdown scamper in last year’s season opener at Syosset and fi nd the open receiver for a score. “Jakkai’s an incredible athlete,” Ali said. “He’s confi dent, he has the ability to make people miss, he has the ability to run people over and he has the ability to put the football where he wants to put it. As far as I’m concerned, Jakkai Stith is not only a great football player, but a great leader.” Dwayne Meadors had a monster sophomore season last year, capping it with fi ve touchdowns in his last fi ve games, including the playoff contest. His breakout performance came in the playoff clincher against Plainview-Old Bethpage on Oct. 29, when he rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. “Dwayne is an extremely talented running back,” Ali said. “He has the size [and] he has the frame. His ability and vision in his runs at the high school level is something special.” Defenses will also have to watch senior running back-wide receiver hybrids Jamir Andrews and Naeshawn Parsons, who had touchdowns on both the ground and through the air last fall. Charley Jimenez can also man both spots and could be a factor on special teams after returning a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown in the playoff game against Syosset. The offensive and defensive lines are led by the senior tandem of Taj McLeod and Shamar Pink, who supply both size and athleticism. Senior Jaylin James will join that duo on the defensive side. Stith, who had one of the Tigers’ three pick-sixes last year, will slot in as one of the linebackers and be joined by Uniondale transfer Chris Lake, a junior. “He’s a hard worker [and has a] great work ethic,” Ali said of Lake. “He’s really stood out in the summer workouts and looks great the fi rst two days of camp. I see him having a strong role in our defense.” Parsons had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against Uniondale on Sept. 18 and will again be a part of the secondary along with Andrews.

Athletic senior JaiF lyn Pinkard returns to Hempstead after playing at Copiague and will also be a part of the defensive backfi eld. The Tigers will be challenged right away when they visit Oceanside, the county runner-up, on Sept. 9. Other tough matchups include Farmingdale on Oct. 14 and county-champion Massapequa in the fi nale.

Athletic senior Jailyn Pinkard returns to Hempstead after playing at Copiague and will also be a part of the defensive backfi eld. The Tigers will be challenged right away when they visit Oceanside, the county runner-up, on Sept. 9. Other tough matchups include Farmingdale on Oct. 14 and county-champion Massapequa in the

Jakkai Stith

SHAMAR PINK JAMIR ANDREWS

Schedule

September 9 @ Oceanside 6:00 p.m. 17 Plainview 2:00 p.m. 24 @ V.S. Central 2:00 p.m. October 1 Freeport 3:00 p.m. 8 @ Hicksville 2:00 p.m. 14 @ Farmingdale 6:30 p.m. 22 Westbury 2:00 p.m. 29 Massapequa 2:00 p.m.