2021 HERALD High School Football Preview
LYNBROOK Owls work towards a bounce-back performance By TONY BELLISSIMO
field, LoCicero said, and can be at running back or tight end, as well as linebacker or safety. “Tyler has oming off its toughest season an outstanding conditioning level,” LoCicero said. “He’s a smart and in decades for a variety of versatile player.” reasons, Lynbrook gets to Senior Dylan Murphy is a turn the page quickly and has physical presence (6-foot-3, 275 adopted the mantra of “being pounds) on both sides of the ball relentless” as it tackles another and extremely athletic, making him challenging Conference III slate. “Pound for pound it’s the most a candidate to slide to linebacker difficult conference in my opinion, from defensive tackle. Either way, he’s key to the run-stopping plan especially with Wantagh coming and offensive line. “Dylan just goes back in after winning Conference about his business and is one of IV,” Owls head coach Steve LoCithe standouts in the weight room,” cero said. “It’s the lowest we’ve LoCicero said. ever been seeded and we just Junior Jake Lunati is a lacrosse need to go out there and compete. goaltender and talented two-way We had a pretty strong turnout lineman on the gridiron who for morning workouts over the started every game for the Owls summer and we have a bunch of returning kids we’re counting on.” and played all three spots along the offensive front. “He’s athletic Seeded No. 12 in the 14-team and versatile and has a nice seaconference, Lynbrook, which toson of varsity experience under his taled only 47 points in six defeats last season, opens at home against belt,” LoCicero said. “He does his No. 11 Valley Stream South before job and is easy to coach.” Others working towards a getting defending county chamstarting gig on the offensive line pion Manhasset and perennial along with Murphy and Lunati contender Bethpage to round out September. The Owls face no team are junior Mike O’Hagan, who seeded higher than eighth over the has varsity experience and a firm grip on the center spot, and final five weeks. senior Manny Terry, who battled a LoCicero traditionally doesn’t shoulder injury. O’Hagan and Terry appoint captains, but he said if can be reliable defenders as well. anyone fits the bill on this roster Opponents can expect to see it’s senior Christian Meszaros, a third-year starter who was limited two different quarterbacks leading the Owls. Using both juniors to three games last season. “He Michael Fagen and Christopher can play anywhere and make an Lucchese will allow the unit to impact and he’s a high-character avoid being predictable, LoCicero leader,” LoCicero said. “He’s in tremendous shape and is talented said. “I think it’s going to be mentally and physically. He’s a big- successful,” he said of the shared responsibilities. Fagen, one of time difference maker.” Meszaros the school’s top lacrosse players will be used at running back and as an occasional slot receiver, and who had two touchdowns on the ground against Division, runs and as a linebacker/safety. throws well but will also be asked Senior Tyler Ippolito is the to catch the ball as a slot target team’s lone returning award winfor Lucchese, who was the JV ner after earning All-Conference starting quarterback. honors. Also a lacrosse standout, Senior Demetri Chambers is a Ippolito doesn’t come off the
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returning starting wideout, and junior Jaylin Walker is a returning varsity receiver/cornerback. Senior Harrison Kirby can work at tight end when Ippolito operates out of the backfield and get involved defensively as a linebacker. “It’s important we were able to get back into a preseason routine,” LoCicero said.
Christian Meszaros
TYLER IPPOLITO
DYLAN MURPHY
Schedule 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 JAKE LUNATI
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
September V.S. South 2:00 p.m. @ Manhasset 2:00 p.m. Bethpage 2:00 p.m. October @ Roosevelt 3:00 p.m. @ Mineola 2:00 p.m. Kennedy 2:00 p.m. Hewlett 3:00 p.m. @ V.S. North 2:00 p.m. Photos by Donovan Berthoud
September 9, 2021 — 31
