Lynbrook Owls

LYNBROOK

Owls sideline features new but familiar face new but familiar face

By TONY BELLISSIMO

New Lynbrook head coach David Yaker brings more than 25 years of high school football coaching experience to the Owls’ sideline and inherited a senior-laden roster and familiar staff from Stephen LoCicero, who spent 16 seasons at the helm and led the team to Nassau and Long Island titles in 2010. “It’s been beyond my wildest expectations,” said Yaker, a 1992 Lynbrook graduate and member of the county championship team as a senior. “It’s something that I’ve dreamed about,” he added. “I’ve coached with and learned from a lot of incredible people and I’m looking to build on the success coach LoCicero had here. It’s a great program and community.” Yaker’s debut comes at home Sept. 10 against Glen Cove in the Conference III opener. The Owls are seeded No. 11 in the 12-team conference and will also face Manhasset, Carey, Hewlett, Floral Park, Valley Stream North, Division and Roosevelt. Yaker spent 20 seasons on the Hewlett staff, so the Sept. 30 matchup there will be interesting, he said. “The schedule is some tough sledding, but I certainly like the way our kids competed in 7 on 7s over the summer and dedicated themselves to workouts,” Yaker explained. “We had at least 30 varsity guys at every weight room session. I didn’t take over until June 8, but we hit the ground running. “I can’t really spend too much time worrying about who we’re playing,” he added. “I don’t know who we are yet.” The Owls went 5-3 last season but fi nished just short of qualifying for the playoffs. “We challenged the kids during the summer by going 7 on 7 with Oceanside, South Side and Holy Cross, and we’re challenging them again with a tough scrimmage at Cold Spring Harbor,” Yaker said. “We have a really good senior class that’s been leading the way.” There’s a good chance Lynbrook will have a Division I athlete at the controls of the offense, if not a very big part of it. Senior Michael Fagen was a slot receiver/running back last season but could become the quarterback. He’s headed to the University of Richmond to play lacrosse. “The bottom line is the ball has to be in Michael’s hands,” Yaker said. “He’s too talented and tough of a kid. He has unbelievable vision and speed, and his leadership has been great all summer. He can do it all, so we’re not going to write anything in stone about where he’ll be.” Fagen is also a starter in the secondary, punts and returns punts and kicks. Senior Chris Lucchese started a handful of games at quarterback last season before an injury put him on the shelf. He has a strong arm and was impressive in camp, Yaker said. Lucchese throwing passes to Fagen and a slew of other skilled receivers isn’t off the table. Seniors Jaylin Walker and Ryan Shapiro rate at the top of the receiver and secondary depth charts. Both can by dynamic playmakers, Yaker said. Shapiro was a standout in 7 on 7s, he noted. Juniors Ramon Calderon and Amah Agwu are tall targets. Senior Max Dantona and Mike Hendrickson are also part of a deep group. Seniors Chris Benson and Daniel Barrosso are projected to form a tandem at running back. Anchoring the line are returning starters Jake Lunati at tackle and Michael O’Hagan at center. Seniors Ralph Caputo and Thomas Byrne are close to securing starting gigs as well. Senior Tyler Denker is a returning starting linebacker and a key to a defensive unit with some pieces to fi ll. Junior Craig Lescczak is up from JV and making noise in camp.

going 7 on 7 with Oceanside, South Side and Holy Cross, and we’re challenging them again with a tough scrimmage at Cold Spring Harbor,” Yaker said. “We have a really good senior class that’s been There’s a good chance Lynbrook will have a Division I athlete at the controls of the offense, if not a very big part of it. Senior Michael Fagen was a slot receiver/running back last season but could become the quarterback. He’s headed to the University of Richmond to play lacrosse. “The bottom line is the ball has to be in Michael’s hands,” Yaker said. “He’s too talented and tough of a kid. He has unbelievable vision and speed, and his leadership has been great all summer. He can do it all, so we’re not going to write anything in stone about where he’ll be.” Fagen is also a starter in the secondary, punts and returns punts and kicks. Senior Chris Lucchese started a handful of games at quarterback last season before an injury put him on the shelf. He has a strong arm and was impressive in camp, Yaker said. Lucchese throwing passes to Fagen and a slew of other skilled receivers isn’t Seniors Jaylin Walker and Ryan Shapiro rate at the top of the receiver and secondary depth charts. Both can by dynamic playmakers, Yaker said. Shapiro was a standout in 7 on 7s, he noted. Juniors Ramon Calderon and Amah Agwu are tall targets. Byrne are close to securing starting gigs as well. Senior Tyler Denker is a returning starting linebacker and a key to a defensive unit with some pieces to fi ll. Junior Craig Lescczak is up from JV and making noise in camp.

MICHAEL FAGEN

Jaylin Walker

MICHAEL O’HAGAN

Schedule

September 10 Glen Cove 2:00 p.m. 17 @ Manhasset 2:00 p.m. 24 Carey 2:00 p.m. 30 @ Hewlett 6:00 p.m. October 8 @ Floral Park 2:00 p.m. 15 V.S. North 2:00 p.m. 22 Division 2:00 p.m. 29 @ Roosevelt 2:00 p.m.