2021 HERALD High School Football Preview
SOUTH SIDE Cyclones emerge as perennial contenders By TONY BELLISSIMO
over the field on defense and he’ll be at receiver or tight end on offense.” West, a lacrosse standout, ack in Nassau Conference added a physical element to his III and riding a streak of five skill set and is slated to start at consecutive playoff appear- strong safety and receiver. He had ances, including three straight trips a 66-yard touchdown catch in a to the semifinals, South Side has victory over Elmont. nearly 20 varsity returnees and a After working as a backup last talented sophomore class coming season, junior Michael DiFranup the ranks. cisca is on track to become the “We attribute a lot of the sucfeatured runner and also chip in at cess to the offseason dedication linebacker. He’ll catch a few passes and the Rockville Centre Titans as well. “He’s a hard-working kid feeder program,” head coach Phil and getting his body ready for the Onesto said. “Both of those things grind,” Onesto said. have coincided with our playoff Junior Rolph Brutus, who was runs. We’ve had great numbers a punishing fullback last season, in the weight room for years and is likely to join the offensive line to even during the pandemic the kids fill one of two holes. Seniors Killian really worked on their own.” Hansman and Andrew Fingleton, As the No. 3 seed behind along with sophomore Bobby Plainedge and Wantagh, it’s highly Galindo, all have starting experilikely the Cyclones (3-3 in Conference. Hansman moves from the ence II last season) will continue right side to left tackle, Fingleton their role as contenders. They is expected to return to 2019 played in the 2019 championship form after missing last season due game, falling to Plainedge, and to injury, and Galindo is versatile will kick off the new campaign at enough to play tackle or guard. Division. “There’s no real dropoff Less than six months after splitfrom Conference II to III,” Onesto ting reps as the JV quarterbacks, said. “Instead of Garden City, Ma- junior Ryan Kassl and sophomore cArthur and Carey at the top, it’s Owen West both make the leap Plainedge, Wantagh and Bethpage. to varsity and bring contrasting We just have to get after it like we styles. They were important parts have been doing.” of an outstanding 5-1 season that Onesto will be counting on two included wins over MacArthur, of the best athletes in the school Carey and Elmont. Kassl is more to be leaders on both sides of the of a pocket passer and West ball. Seniors TJ Maher and Brady provides an additional threat with West are weapons in the passing his legs. “We’ll let things play game and crucial pieces of the out and see how they do in our defense. Maher, who helped the game scrimmage against Long baseball team to a county title Beach,” Onesto said. “They’re last spring, was an All-County and both such good athletes.” All-Long Island (second team) seWith Maher the lynchpin of a lection after leading South Side in group that’ll include DiFrancisca, tackles and equaling his previous seniors Dan Fuentes and Matt season in stops in just six games Solano, and sophomore Jamie compared to 11. “TJ is one of the Beatty, linebacker will be the top linebackers in the county and strongest part of the defense, has gotten faster and stronger in a Onesto noted. Fuentes and Soshort time,” Onesto said. “He’s all lano also provide depth at running
B
44 — September 9, 2021
back. Brutus is a returning starter on the defensive front, where juniors Matt Devares and Sean Sandhaas are slated to contribute.
T.J. Maher
BRADY WEST
KILLIAN HANSMAN
Schedule 10 18 24 1 9 16 23 29 ANDREW FINGLETON
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
September Division 6:00 p.m. @ V.S. South 2:00 p.m. Plainedge 6:00 p.m. October @ Manhasset 6:30 p.m. @ Wantagh 2:00 p.m. Floral Park 2:00 p.m. @ Roosevelt 2:00 p.m. Bethpage 6:00 p.m. Photos by Donovan Berthoud
HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
