Oceanside Sailors

OCEANSIDE

New-look Sailors seek to continue voyage

By TONY BELLISSIMO

It’s a new era for Oceanside following the graduation of record-setting quarterback Charlie McKee, who took his talents to Stony Brook University after passing for a Nassau County record 8,533 yards and 91 touchdowns. The Sailors, who advanced to the Conference I championship game fi ve times in seven seasons including two straight runner-up fi nishes to Massapequa, are the No. 4 seed behind the Chiefs, Farmingdale and Freeport. “It was disappointing to lose back-to-back championship games, but the silver lining is we’ve become perennial title contenders,” head coach Rob Blount said. “We know how hard it is to get to the fi nals and win. We may be a lot different this year in terms of personnel, but we’re excited to get after it again and be the best we can be.” Before a Week 5 showdown at Massapequa, the Sailors will play three of their fi rst four games at home. That includes the opener against Hempstead on Sept. 9, and Homecoming versus Syosset on Oct. 1. “I’m hopeful we’ll come out of the fi rst half of the year in good shape and then we’ll see what we can do against Massapequa,” Blount said. The offense won’t resemble that of recent seasons. Senior twotime All-County tight end Logan Lyson and senior running back/ slot Nicky Cairo will be featured, Blount noted. “There’s not going to be many 4- or 5-receiver sets like everyone is used to seeing,” he said. Lyson, who’s 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, is a four-year starter who last season had 21 catches for 343 yards and 3 touchdowns, as well as 64 tackles at linebacker. “Logan is a rare breed of athlete,” Blount said. “He catches the ball downfi eld and in traffi c, he blocks, and on defense he’s one of the best linebackers in the county.” Cairo, who may sneak into the mix at quarterback, is a dual threat out of the backfi eld and the lone starter returning to the defensive secondary. He had 8 touchdowns last season — 4 rushing and 4 receiving — and 499 yards from scrimmage. Senior tailback Cole Parker (475 yards rushing) is a strong downhill runner expected to get doubledigit touches and make an impact each week. Senior fullback Miles McGann won’t come off the fi eld, Blount said, and is a physical force on both sides of scrimmage. Who’s the next quarterback? That’s the burning question around town and it’ll be determined during camp for the fi rst time since 2011, Blount noted. Freshman Shane Harmon and sophomore Luke Villela are vying for the role and bring different skill sets. “We have some time to fi gure out how we want to shape our offense,” Blount said. Senior Jake Perinchief, who caught a pair of touchdown passes last season, senior Ethan Kahl, and juniors Adrian Baez and Chris LaLima comprise the wide receiver group. The offensive line took a hit during the offseason and will lean heavily on the experience of senior guard Peter Staltare and junior tackle Justin Alvarez. “We’ll probably have moving parts up front,” Blount said. Staltare is a key to the defensive line as well, along with senior nose tackle Jake Moshkovich. Lyson and McGann are the inside ‘backers, with senior Andrew Greco, junior Jake Kenney or sophomore Dylan Bender outside. Blount is counting on Oceanside’s special teams to be special. Kicker Alessio Ancona is consistent inside 40 yards and could emerge as one of the top legs in the county. Andrew Zinzi will handle the punting. Junior Justin Diaz is the long snapper, with Cairo serving as the holder. “We have some pieces of the puzzle to fi gure out,” Blount said.

or sophomore Dylan Bender outside. Blount is counting on Oceanside’s special teams to be special. Kicker Alessio Ancona is consistent inside 40 yards and could emerge as one of the top legs in the county. Andrew Zinzi will handle the punting. Junior Justin Diaz is the long snapper, with Cairo serving as the holder. “We have some pieces of the puzzle to fi gure out,” Blount said.

MILES MCGANN

Nicky Cairo

JAKE MOSHKOVICH

Schedule

September 9 Hempstead 6:00 p.m. 16 Farmingdale 6:00 p.m. 24 @ Plainview 2:00 p.m. October 1 Syosset 3:00 p.m. 8 @ Massapequa 2:00 p.m. 15 @ Hicksville 2:00 p.m. 21 V.S. Central 6:00 p.m. 28 @ Freeport 6:00 p.m.