2021 HERALD High School Football Preview
V.S. NORTH Familiar faces return to lead Spartans By BRIAN KACHARABA
work hard and come back and do what [we] know to do.” And that hard work, Paolillo believes, could result in a postseason berth. “After what I saw last summer oes continuity breed and what I saw last year, I think success? That’s what Valley Stream North we’re going to surprise a lot of people…especially in the first four is hoping for as it takes the field games,” he declared. this fall in search of its first winThe offensive playmakers from ning regular season since 2014. The Spartans, under then first-year the spring season remains virtually head coach Mike Paolillo, finished intact. Quarterback Brian Farrell returns after making his varsity 3-3 in the spring after rallying to debut as a junior and is coming off defeat Hewlett in the finale to an impressive summer minicamp clinch the program’s first nonwhere he improved on his reads losing season since 2016. and quickness. Paolillo was North’s JV head “We’re going to set him up to coach for more than a decade be very, very successful,” Paolillo and guided most of the players said. “We have a few things in the on this year’s roster while at the junior level. That comfort level and mix for him this year.” There is plenty of excitement knowing each other’s tendencies, he believes, can only be a positive surrounding junior tailback Josh Lopez, who rushed for at least 60 entering the new season. yards three times last season with “It’s very important,” Paolillo three touchdowns, including the said. “They know what I expect, game-winning score in the fourth they know how I want them to work [and] they know the routines. quarter against Hewlett. “I expect him to continue It even helped last year because where he left off,” Paolillo said. there were only two kids on the team that didn’t play for me on JV. “He is an extremely hard worker who gives 150 percent in everyIt was quite an easy transition.” thing he does. He’ll be huge for But taking it to the next level us.” will certainly be a challenge. The Ethan Ramnarain and Andrew Spartans open the Conference III Lusterino are the wideouts and season at Wantagh (Conference fellow senior Michael Capolino IV champions last season) before could see some passes his way home dates against defending county-champion Manhasset (8-0) in addition to his running back duties. Lusterino has been known and Plainedge (10-2) in the third to make the clutch catch when and fourth weeks, respectively. needed, while Ramnarain excels North was outscored 83-0 in the with his size and finesse. two games against the latter two The offensive and defensive schools last season, but Paolillo lines will have a much different believes in his team’s resiliency in look this season with senior center the rematches. Jack DelCarpine being the lone “It’s going to be a rough one, holdover. Paolillo is looking for but we’re prepared and ready,” Christian Layden, Sebastien GibPaolillo said. “We just have to bons and Nick Navetta to possibly gameplan week-to-week and not be intimidated if we go down by a fill the other spots on offense and touchdown or two. We just have to Capolino and Farrell could see
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time at defensive end. Lopez and junior Danny Rojas are the projected starters at linebacker. Cornerback-safety hybrid Vaughn Candelario, who recovered two fumbles in a win over Glen Cove last March, returns for his senior season after an injury-plagued spring and will be joined by Ramnarain, Lusterino, Michael Munson and Albean Sarmiento in the defensive backfield. Rojas, who has soccer experience, could make the difference in some close game at kicker.
ETHAN RAMNARIAN
Andrew Lusterino
JOHN DELCARPINE
Schedule 11 18 25 2 9 16 22 30 MICHAEL CAPOLINO
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
September @ Wantagh 2:00 p.m. @ Hewlett 2:00 p.m. Manhasset 2:00 p.m. October Plainedge 3:00 p.m. @ Kennedy 2:00 p.m. Mineola 2:00 p.m. @ Bethpage 6:30 p.m. Lynbrook 2:00 p.m. Photos by Sue Grieco
September 9, 2021 — 51
