2021 HERALD High School Football Preview
EAST MEADOW Jets rebuilding after semifinal appearance By TONY BELLISSIMO
can accelerate in the open field,” Baglivo said of McIntyre, who on defense moves from cornerback to ast Meadow made a sucfree safety. Terino, a junior, raked cessful return to Nassau at the JV level and led the team to Conference I last season a 5-1 mark. He’ll also play outside after a brief stint in II. The seniorlinebacker. “Brian is dynamic and led Jets went 4-2 and pitched a fast and has great vision out of couple of shutouts in the process the backfield,” Baglivo said. “On of being one of the last four teams defense he’s relentless in pursuit.” standing. Junior Joe Festa and sophomore Now in rebuilding mode with Nick Longardino are both working only a couple of starters returning, at fullback and looking to crack the new head coach Frank Baglivo is defensive rotation at linebacker. looking for a positive summer proTopping the depth chart at regram to serve as the springboard ceiver is senior Brian Sureless, a big to another playoff push. Seeded target with reliable hands and a seventh in the 12-team conference, contagious work ethic. Senior tight the Jets open at home against end Jake Barker will be utilized as defending county champion Mass- a sixth linemen essentially but also apequa in a rematch of a playoff see an occasional toss in his direcsemifinal. tion. Both Sureless and Barker rate “We accomplished a lot with a among the team’s top linebackers. large group of seniors,” said BaUp front, guard Joe Arbitello glivo, who ran the varsity defense accomplished a rare feat last seafor two years after a two-year son when he started every varsity stint as JV head coach. “We’re game as a freshman. “He stood only returning a few kids with a up to the test and got tremendous lot of varsity experience so we’re experience playing every offensive definitely rebuilding,” he added. snap,” said Baglivo, who noted Patrick Spinola was one of East Arbitello will become a two-way Meadow’s defensive leaders as a starter by adding defensive junior, and he’ll continue to do so tackle to his resume. Seniors Kyle moving from free safety to corner- Nacionales, Jeremiah Masih, Joe back, but now he’s become the Abitabile and Donato Zampini all offensive focal point as the starting got a taste of varsity as reserves quarterback. He was listed as the and are now in the mix for startbackup last season but didn’t take ing gigs along with junior Jason a snap. “We’re running the triple Reyes, the top lineman up from JV. option and Patrick is a huge threat “As of now we’ve got six guys on the ground and improving as a we’re looking at for five spots,” passer,” Baglivo said. “He’s a great Baglivo said. “They’re all going to play some.” athlete and very smart.” Baglivo said a four-way scrimTaking what the defense gives is how the Jets will attack. Spinola mage with Plainview, Bethpage and Roslyn is going to determine and wing backs Shane McIntyre a handful of starting spots, backup and Brian Terino are the likeliest roles and special teams units. Key ballcarriers. McIntyre, a senior, September matchups against two was one of the team’s leading opponents seeded below the Jets receivers in the spring and the — Westbury and Hicksville — idea behind the position change could set the tone for their playoff is to get him more touches. “He’s chances. versatile with great hands and
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10 — September 9, 2021
“We have three extremely successful opponents on the schedule with Massapequa, Farmingdale and Oceanside, and they all bring back a lot of talent,” Baglivo said. “We still have a goal to finish over .500 and make the playoffs.”
Patrick Spinola
SHANE MCINTYRE
JAKE BARKER
Schedule 11 18 25 1 9 16 22 30 BRIAN SURELESS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
September Massapequa 2:00 p.m. Westbury 2:00 p.m. @ Hicksville 2:00 p.m. October @ Farmingdale 6:30 p.m. Plainview 2:00 p.m. Port Washington 2:00 p.m. @ Oceanside 6:00 p.m. @ Uniondale 3:00 p.m. Photos by Brian Ballweg
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