2021 HERALD High School Football Preview
CAREY Seahawks ready to fly into playoffs again By TONY BELLISSIMO
gest kid.” Sophomore William Toliver got a taste of varsity field and ripped off 47 yards on seven arly season struggles coupled touches in a victory over New with a myriad of key injuries Hyde Park. “He has breakaway were the root causes of speed and potential to be pretty perennial contender Carey missing involved,” the coach explained. the Conference II playoffs with a Senior Kyle Lewis will serve as 2-3 record against Nassau foes. the No. 1 target in the passing The Seahawks, who had their game and also head the return youth on display on both sides units and defensive backfield. of the line, are better situated up Lewis had four touchdown recepfront, head coach Mike Stanley tions last season and led the team said, and feature arguably the best in receiving yards. Senior Shane all-around athlete in the conferHogan also brings a solid skill set ence in senior quarterback Dean and will contribute. “Kyle’s the Metzger, an All-County selection in most complete wideout we’ve football and lacrosse. had,” Stanley said. “His route “We’ll go as Dean goes,” running is excellent and he has Stanley said. “He’s a freak athlete great hands and speed. He’s a trewho’s only going to get better. He mendous weapon and not coming played off the charts in four of six off the field.” games last season and grew as a The offensive line has more leader.” answers than questions with four In Carey’s conference wins, juniors and a couple of seniors Metzger racked up 496 rushing giving Carey a six-deep group. yards and six touchdowns to go Senior Carter Kurz started every along with 254 passing yards and game at guard, while junior five scores. He also shrugged off Gianluca Magliaro started at three interceptions in a hardeither guard or tackle and held fought 35-34 non-conference his own going up against more overtime loss to Sachem North experienced opponents. Junior with four total touchdowns and Jake Berenger enjoyed a quality a pair of two-point conversion offseason and tops the depth throws. He was a finalist for chart at center. Senior Dominick the Snyder Award, given to the Romano added muscle and brings county’s top signal-caller. He’s varsity experience to the trenches. backed up by his junior brother, Junior Vin Tierney features a nice Matt, who led the JV at quartercombination of quick footwork back and could work his way into and toughness, Stanley noted, and the receiver corps. can handle a tackle spot while Aside from Metzger, the roster junior Jaden Paz has what it takes has no proven runners but Stanley to be a reliable two-way starter on the line. is hopeful senior Joseph Bonelli, Defensively, the Seahawks coming off a hand injury, can do allowed at least 27 points in all some damage, and senior Ray six games last season and have Bedeian returns to health from plenty of room for improvement. a knee injury that cost him most They’ll look to Bonelli, Bedeian, of last spring. “Bonelli can be impossible to block,” Stanley said. Tierney and senior Michael Rivera to lead the way at linebacker, and “He doesn’t have experience on offense but I’m not worried about for Lewis and senior Alexander it. He’s pound-for-pound our stron- Almache in the secondary.
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8 — September 9, 2021
Seeded third, Carey opens at home against Mepham and welcomes five-time defending county champion Garden City to town a few weeks later. Stanley, a Baldwin graduate, gets to face his alma mater Oct. 23. “Our schedule is typically tough,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I was back at Baldwin. It’ll be exciting.” Dean Metzger
KYLE LEWIS
JOE BONELLI
Schedule September 11 Mepham 3:00 p.m. 18 @ Calhoun 2:00 p.m. 25 Garden City 2:00 p.m. October 2 @ Elmont 7:00 p.m. 8 @ MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 16 New Hyde Park 2:00 p.m. 23 @ Baldwin 2:00 p.m. 30 V.S. Central 3:00 p.m. RAY BEDEIAN
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Photos by Brian Ballweg
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