Hewlett Bulldogs

HEWLETT

Bulldogs focused on own agenda

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Hewlett jumped three spots from its preseason seed last fall to earn a spot in the Nassau Conference III playoffs as the No. 7 seed with a 5-3 record. The Bulldogs saw their season end with a fi rst-round playoff defeat at Wantagh and will begin the 2022 campaign on the same fi eld under the Friday night lights. “We never get too wrapped up in the schedule and just worry about ourselves,” head coach John Palladino said. “Wantagh is a big football town and they’re going to be strong again. “We were a senior-oriented team that has to replace seven defensive starters along with an outstanding quarterback and our leading rusher,” he added. “We had a pretty good offseason. We changed from evening to morning workouts and learned a lot about our group.” The Bulldogs are ranked eighth in the 12-team conference and face three of the top four seeds, including defending county champion Plainedge at home in Week 6, and runner-up Bethpage on the road in Week 3. “Our defense is going to be a work in progress,” Palladino said. “It’s open competition except for one lineman, one linebacker and two safeties. We have about three weeks and a scrimmage against Lawrence to fi gure everything out. I’m sure we’ll have multiple kids rotating in some spots.” The biggest plus for Hewlett, Palladino said, is the return of 80 percent of its offensive line. “One of these years maybe we’ll return most of our skills guys and the line,” he joked. “It seems like it’s either one or the other for us. So we’re going to lean on the guys up front to take the pressure off while the rest of the offense takes shape.” Senior Jadon Margulies is a third-year starter and will anchor the unit at tackle. He’s 6-foot-3, 260 pounds and a captain. “Jadon is just a wonderful character kid who practices hard and plays hard,” Palladino said of the two-way starting lineman. Senior Jon Menkes and sophomore C.J. Maiorano comprise the starting guards. Menkes is a captain and also an experienced kicker. “Jon is a strong kid going into his third year on varsity,” Palladino said. Maiorano was a full-time defensive starter last season who saw some snaps on offense. Junior Danny Sheinin is back as the starting center following a solid and consistent campaign. The tackle spot opposite Margulies was the only vacated job up for grabs and Palladino said juniors Gabe Montoya and Tyler Parchment, both JV starters in 2021, have shown the ability to fi ll the void. They could also form a rotation. Mark Winker had a dynamic season at quarterback and his backup for back-to-back seasons, John Cusumano, now has the keys to the offense. Cusumano, who has a sprinkle of game experience under center and also punts, was a standout in the weight room during the summer and brings a strong arm. “We have to build offensive packages to fi t John’s skills,” Palladino said. “It’ll be his third year being on varsity and was the JV starting quarterback as a freshman.” Leading the depth chart at the skill positions are senior Ariel Waldman, one of the premier wrestlers in the school, and juniors Mekhi Jean-Baptiste and Luke Rochler. Jean-Baptiste is moving from fl anker to running back and will lead the return units along with Waldman, a captain and receiver. Rochler, a three-sport athlete, will work at multiple positions. Palladino has a myriad of questions to answer on defense. Margulies, Maiorano, Waldman and Rochler are the only returning starters. “The defense is a puzzle right now,” the coach said.

with Waldman, a captain and receiver. Rochler, a three-sport athlete, will work at multiple positions. Palladino has a myriad of questions to answer on defense. Margulies, Maiorano, Waldman and Rochler are the only returning starters. “The defense is a puzzle right now,” the coach said.

JOHN CUSUMANO

Jaden Margulies

LUKE ROCHLER

Schedule

September 9 @ Wantagh 7:00 p.m. 16 Roosevelt 6:00 p.m. 24 @ Bethpage 2:00 p.m. 30 Lynbrook 6:00 p.m. October 8 @ V.S. North 2:00 p.m. 14 Plainedge 6:00 p.m. 22 Glen Cove 3:00 p.m. 28 @ Division 7:00 p.m.