Elmont Spartans

ELMONT

Spartans talented at skill positions

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Elmont’s 2021 fall regular season and postseason both ended in the same fashion — with a loss to the best team in Nassau County. Garden City knocked out the Spartans on its way to a sixth consecutive Conference II championship and went on to capture the Long Island title. Sixteen players return for Elmont, which went 4-3 last fall against teams not from Garden City. “We’re seeded fi fth and I fought for as high of a seed as possible because I prefer a tough schedule,” said Jay Hegi, who’s 20th season as the Spartans’ head coach begins at home against Mepham. “We have a diffi cult opener to test us right off the bat and we close with a tough one against South Side,” he added. Developing offensive and defensive fronts were the biggest dilemmas heading into camp, Hegi said. “We’re going to be strong at the skill positions and in the back seven on defense,” he noted. “We have a lot to evaluate when it comes to the lines. We lack experienced linemen and it’s going to be a while before we have continuity.” Senior Kenny Weaver is the most experienced lineman on the roster and is making a move from center to guard. Junior Chase Waite takes over at center after a solid JV campaign. Senior Sabyan Schmitz, one of three captains, was as dedicated to the weight room as anyone during the offseason and could fi ll a void on the O-line while remaining a mainstay at linebacker. The offense will revolve around the legs of junior running back Isaiah Davis and the emergence of senior quarterback Justus Nathaniel, who was thrown into the fi re late last season with no experience at the position. Davis, said Hegi, is pound for pound the strongest athlete on the roster and expected to get the most touches. “Isaiah is our featured guy now and has potential to play at the next level,” Hegi said. “He had a few touchdowns last season as a sophomore but he didn’t get a ton of carries. He has the power to run inside and the quickness to run outside.” The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Nathaniel is a receiver by trade but is super athletic and the Spartans have a need at quarterback. He threw a touchdown pass in the playoff loss to Garden City as Elmont became the only opponent to score in the fi rst half last season against the Trojans. “I know a lot of coaches don’t use their quarterbacks on defense, but Justus is going to be a two-way starter for us,” Hegi said. “He’s big, strong and fast. He’ll be a dual threat at quarterback and might need to learn how to release the ball quickly depending how our O-line pans out.” Senior Kimani Lewis, a track star who had 4 touchdown receptions last season, is the No. 1 receiver, cornerback, and return specialist. Hegi said Lewis has excellent hands and quickness. Senior Erik Burnett II is another talented receiver who’s in the mix to contribute in the secondary. Burnett II can catch the deep ball as well as beat defenders in traffi c. Juniors Osagie Ekator (a 6-4 tight end) and Davidson Ba Lafortune, and sophomore Nassir Edwards, are additional targets. On defense, with a wealth of linebackers and defensive backs, fi nding a way to hold their own at the line of scrimmage will be a key for the Spartans to make a run at a home playoff game. Other returnees the unit will count on to contribute include seniors Xavier Eaddy, Joshua Malloy and Kymani Walker. Senior kicker Gustavo Moreno returns, and Nathaniel is working to take over punting duties.

turnees the unit will count on to contribute include seniors Xavier Eaddy, Joshua Malloy and Kymani Walker. Senior kicker Gustavo Moreno returns, and Nathaniel is working to take over punting duties.

JUSTUS NATHANIEL

Isaiah Davis

SABYAN SCHMITZ

Schedule

September 10 Mepham 2:00 p.m. 16 @ Kennedy 4:15 p.m. 24 New Hyde Park 2:00 p.m. October 1 @ Garden City 3:00 p.m. 8 Roslyn 2:00 p.m. 14 @ MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 22 @ Herricks 2:00 p.m. 29 South Side 2:00 p.m.