Sewanhaka Indians

SEWANHAKA

Hard-working Indians looking to surprise

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Sewanhaka is coming off its most successful season on the gridiron in more than 25 years. The Indians participated in the Nassau semifi nals for the fi rst time since 1994 after winning 4 of 5 regular-season games, beating New Hyde Park, Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham) in Conference II. They were the No. 7 preseason seed. The only opponent to handle them was fi ve-time defending county champion Garden City, which pulled away for a 35-14 playoff victory after leading by just seven points midway through the second quarter. “It’s the best season we’ve had since I’m here and we did it fi nishing with 25 kids between the varsity and JV,” Sewanhaka head coach George Kasimatis said. “We played hard and played well and battled through adversity. Our JV didn’t have enough bodies and folded after three games. One of our recent graduates, Frantz Compere, said he’ll remember the playoff game the most and said how proud he was that we competed against Garden City.” Kasimatis is a little concerned with numbers heading into the opener against Calhoun although he expects some projected starters who sat out last season for personal reasons to return. Offseason workouts averaged about 40 kids compared to the usual 60. “We should be able to rotate guys at a bunch of positions,” Kasimatis said. “I thought we held our own in 7 on 7s this summer with the other four teams [Carey, Elmont, Floral Park and New Hyde Park] in the district. We’re facing a very competitive schedule even though we’re seeded 12.” The keys to the offense are being handed over to junior Dominick Balletta, who served as the backup quarterback and got a taste of varsity football. He threw a touchdown pass in the regularseason loss to Garden City and can be a dual threat. “He’s an excellent athlete who plays travel baseball but also loves football,” Kasimatis said. “He has a calm demeanor and can be a running and throwing threat. He just needs to build up experience.” Both sides of the line are where Kasimatis expects depth to show. Senior Paul Caputo is back in uniform and being counted on to start at center and the defensive front as well as provide leadership. Additional senior two-way linemen Efrain Cortes and Cliff Saint Fleurant played in last season’s opener before opting out. Cortes brings aggressiveness and quality footwork, Kasimatis noted, and Saint Fleurant is big, strong and quick and could play a skill position if asked. Senior Jonathan Edouard emerged last season at offensive tackle and has the ideal length and quick feet, the coach said. Junior Muizz Zulfi qar made a smooth transition from the JV to varsity and will push for a starting gig up front. There’s also junior Jalen Brown and sophomore Cristopher Cruz in the mix. If Kasimatis can fi nd a solid group, he said junior Markese Gadson will move from the line to tight end where his overall skill set is a better fi t. “Markese moves well and has a nose for the ball, and he also blocks well,” Kasimatis said. “Ideally he’s our tight end catching some passes and giving us an extra body as a blocker.” Carter Fredericks-Dort, a junior, has a chance to be the featured running back and can contribute at safety or linebacker on the fl ip side. “He’s played football his whole life,” Kasimatis said. “He’s got big shoes to fi ll, but he’s talented.” Some receiver/ defensive back candidates to start on both sides include seniors Tyler Harts and Caireek Belnavis, and junior Mike Stainano. The latter is also an option to get some carries out of the backfi eld.

being handed over to junior Dominick Balletta, who served as the backup quarterback and got a taste of varsity football. He threw a touchdown pass in the regularseason loss to Garden City and can be a dual threat. “He’s an excellent athlete who plays travel baseball but also loves football,” Kasimatis said. “He has a calm demeanor and can be a running and throwing threat. He just needs to build up experience.” Both sides of the line are where Kasimatis expects depth to show. Senior Paul Caputo is back in uniform and being counted on to start at center and the defensive front as well as provide leadership. Additional senior two-way linemen Efrain Cortes and Cliff Saint Fleurant played in last season’s opener before opting out. Cortes brings aggressiveness and quality footwork, Kasimatis noted, and Saint Fleurant is big, strong and quick and could play a skill position if asked. Senior Jonathan Edouard emerged last season at offensive tackle and has the ideal length and quick feet, the coach said. Junior Muizz Zulfi qar made a smooth transition from the JV to varsity and will push for a starting gig up front. There’s also junior Jalen Brown and sophomore Cristopher Cruz in the mix. If Kasimatis can fi nd a solid group, he said junior Markese Gadson will move from the line to tight end where his overall skill set is a better fi t. “Markese moves well and has a nose for the ball, and he also blocks well,” Kasimatis said. “Ideally he’s our tight end catching some passes and giving us an extra body as a blocker.” Carter Fredericks-Dort, a junior, has a chance to be the featured running back and can contribute whole life,” Kasimatis said. “He’s got big shoes to fi ll, but he’s talented.” Some receiver/ defensive back candidates to start on both sides include seniors Tyler Harts and Caireek Belnavis, and junior Mike Stainano. The latter is also an option to get some carries out of the backfi eld.

MARKESE GADSON

Dominick Balletta

CARTER FREDERICKS-DORT

Schedule

September 11 Calhoun 2:00 p.m. 18 @ Elmont 2:00 p.m. 25 V.S. Central 2:00 p.m. October 2 @ Baldwin 2:00 p.m. 8 @ Glen Cove 7:00 p.m. 16 Roslyn 2:00 p.m. 23 Herricks 2:00 p.m. 30 @ Long Beach 2:00 p.m.