Uniondale Knights

UNIONDALE

Knights relying on front line effort

By ANDREW COEN

Following back-to-back seasons ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, Uniondale head coach Philip Coppola is hoping a far more normal fall campaign with an expanded roster lays a strong foundation for future success. The Knights had limited training opportunities during its abridged 2020 season played in spring 2021 when Unionale students were fully remote and last year battled through a 1-7 campaign with a smaller-than-normal roster. “We were hit really hard with Covid as really the only school on Long Island that was out for a year and a half so the last two years were just brutal,” said Coppola, who has led the program for the past nine years. “Last year I was literally going door to door to fi nd out if kids were playing.” With numbers back up to prepandemic levels, Uniondale will tackle the 2022 season as 13th seed in Conference I. Coppola said the schedule against other lowerseeded teams will give the Knights a chance to stay competitive in every game starting in its season opener at home against Syosset on Sept. 10 for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The Knights big strength this season will be its offensive line anchored by senior guard Jordyn Davis. “He’s 5-10 270 pounds with lightning quick feet,” said Coppola of Davis. He is going to be one of the best in the county.” Junior guard Louis Lizama at 6-2, 210 pounds also adds some quickness and experience to the line after getting some playing time as a sophomore and starting on defense. Christian Jamison at 6-2, 310 pounds and Jean Fortuna at 6-0, 290, bring some size to the tackle position. The quarterback spot was up for grabs entering the season with junior Jonel Lattore and sophomore Oladipupo Karimu both capable starters. The duo may rotate throughout games to keep defenses on their toes. Senior running back Jonathan Marshall will be a big focus of the offense after picking up some big gains last year. He will likely share duties with Darius Adeyami out of two-back sets. Uniondale is young at receiver, but returns senior starter Ethan Fingall. Tristan Greenwood, Jayden Acosta and Barry Weed emerging are also possible targets who showed promise in the preseason. “Our pass game is going to be predicated on our running game and setting up screens,” Coppola said. “We want to get the ball into some of our athletes and to let them go.” The defensive side of the ball will be keyed by Davis at nose tackle and his ability to disrupt running plays and put pressure on the quarterback in passing situations. The attention paid to Davis will also open doors for others to step including Lizama and Marshall at linebacker “Jordyn Davis is going to be a nightmare to block,” Coppola said. “They are going to have three kids on him, that is how good he is.” On special teams, Jason Galdamez returns after taking on both the place kicker and punting duties last year. He has a strong leg with a soccer background. In addition to Syosset, Uniondale will also battle Baldwin, Port Washington, Westbury, Plainview-JFK, Valley Stream Central, East Meadow and Hicksville. Coppola said achieving a .500 or better record would plant plenty of confi dence for a program looking to grow back into a consistent playoff contender with a healthy size roster. “We want to get the young kids better and we want to compete,” Coppola said.” We have things going in the right direction again with the numbers going up again and we are going to try and build off of that this year.”

better record would plant plenty of confi dence for a program looking to grow back into a consistent playoff contender with a healthy size roster. “We want to get the young kids better and we want to compete,” Coppola said.” We have things going in the right direction again with the numbers going up again and we are going to try and build off of that this year.”

Jordyn Davis

CHRISTIAN JAMISON LUIS LIZAMA

Schedule

September 10 Syosset 2:00 p.m. 17 @ Baldwin 2:00 p.m. 24 @ Port Wash. 2:00 p.m. October 1 Westbury 3:00 p.m. 8 Plainview 2:00 p.m. 15 @ V.S. Central 2:00 p.m. 22 @ East Meadow 2:00 p.m. 29 Hicksville 2:00 p.m.