Seaford Vikings

SEAFORD

Vikings recharge after 9-1 finish

By ANDREW COEN

Seaford lost a huge chunk of last year’s roster that went unbeaten before suffering a heartbreaking season-ending defeat in the Conference IV semifi nals. The Vikings graduated 19, including 10 starters, from a 9-1 team that fell to Cold Spring 28-26 to be denied a chance to compete for the program’s fi rst county crown since 2019. Second-year head coach Mike Corcoran is hoping that disappointing end to the 2021 campaign at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium fuels the returning players to take that next step this fall “We don’t have a lot of starters back as that was a pretty senior heavy team, but we have a few guys that played and are on the team this year and hopefully it is still stinging them a little bit so they remember,” Corcoran said. “It’s a new season though so you have to have a fresh mindset.” Senior center Cole Hunter is the lone returning full-time starter and will be tasked with anchoring an inexperienced offensive line to power Seaford’s run-oriented offense. Alex Maugeri, who started in place of an injured Hunter late in the season, Jason Donovan and Neriel Colon will be counted on to fi ll the gaps along with junior tight end Devin O’Donnell. The biggest offensive loss from last year will be felt in the backfi eld after graduating running back James McHugh, who earned Conference IV MVP honors last season and is playing on the collegiate level this fall at Wesleyan University. Aidan Calvacca, who was starting tailback on junior varsity last year, will take the bulk of the carries this season. Senior Kevin Knox is slated to be the lead blocker for Calvacca at fullback. Sean Costello will take the reins at quarterback for his senior season after backing up Kyle Stark last fall. “He’s got a pretty strong arm,” said Corcoran of Costello, who has committed to play college baseball at Pace University. Costello’s big receiving target will be O’Donnell, who received some playing time last season as backup to Jack Murphy. The versatile O’Donnell also was starting nose guard as just a sophomore and may play inside linebacker as a junior. “I think he is going to be an exceptional football player for us,” said Corcoran of the 6-2 O’Donnell. In addition to O’Donnell, Knox is also expected to be an integral part of the Vikings’ defense at linebacker. Junior wide receiver TJ Harrington will be a key part of the defensive backfi eld after starting a few games in the secondary last season due to injuries. On special teams, Seaford will have new faces after losing Matt Garcia and Murphy as starting kicker and punter, respectively. Costello was the backup punter and may fi ll the starting role. Corcoran, who was head football coach at Roslyn from 2013 to 2016 and a former Seaford boys’ varsity lacrosse head coach, returns his offensive coordinator from last year in Lou Buschi. The veteran coach Buschi previously worked alongside Corcoran during his four year-run leading the Roslyn program. Seaford enters the season seeded third in Conference IV behind defending champion North Shore and Cold Spring Harbor. The Vikings kick off the season against West Hempstead and will host North Shore for a Friday night game on Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. A rematch A rematch of last year’s of last year’s season-ending season-ending loss is on tap for Oct. 7 loss is on tap for Oct. 7 when Seaford travels to when Seaford travels to Cold Spring Harbor. Cold Spring Harbor. “Expectations are always “Expectations are always high in Seaford,” said high in Seaford,” said Corcoran, who was a Corcoran, who was a defensive coordinator under defensive coordinator under former head coach Rob former head coach Rob Perpall when the program Perpall when the program captured four straight captured four straight county titles from 2007 county titles from 2007 to 2010. “We are always to 2010. “We are always expected to compete for the expected to compete for the conference and county and that conference and county and that is our expectation.” is our expectation.”

Devin O’Donnell

SEAN COSTELLO JASON DONOVAN

Schedule

September 9 West Hempstead 6:00 p.m. 17 @ V.S. South 2:00 p.m. 23 North Shore 6:00 p.m. October 1 @ East Rockaway 6:00 p.m. 7 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 15 Malverne 2:00 p.m. 22 @ Locust Valley 2:00 p.m. 28 Clarke 6:00 p.m.