Locust Valley

from High School Football North 09-08-2022

by Richner Communications, Inc

Glen Cove - Big Red

Falcons take flight under new regime under new regime

By MARC FISHKIN

Don’t be surprised if the Locust Valley offensive line becomes a big Long Island football story this season. At least Locust Valley’s new head coach believes it can be. Coming off a 2-6 season, Locust Valley has hired a big name – and big body – in Michael Gilbert, the former Garden City star offensive lineman who played at Division I Rhode Island. At Garden City, Gilbert, whose playing dimensions were 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, won the Martone Award for Nassau County’s top lineman. The Falcons hired Gilbert away from Manhasset, where he guided the offensive line. There’s additional optimism, too, because the Locust Valley JV team soared to an unbeaten 8-0 in 2021. Many of their studs are heading to varsity and Gilbert promoted JV coach Matt Morales to be varsity offensive coordinator. He will implement the same fl ex-bone offense that led the JV team to rousing success. Also added is defensive line/offensive line coach Sean Peet. who once starred at Plymouth State. “My experiences both coaching offensive line and playing is second to none,” Gilbert said. “My offensive line is in great hands.” During the offseason, Gilbert had his offensive linemen work out with a weight-training gym, Crossfi t Sanctuary, in a special arrangement that’s proven benefi cial. The grinders in the trenches usually don’t command headlines but Gilbert will make sure they get credit if the Falcons turn into championship contenders by 2023 with its elite junior class. The O-line is led by senior center

offensive line becomes a big Long Island football story this season. At least Locust Valley’s new head coach Coming off a 2-6 season, Locust Valley has hired a big name – and big body – in Michael Gilbert, the former Garden City At Garden City, Gilbert, whose playing dimensions were 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, because the Locust Valley JV team soared Nick Capozzi, a co-captain. He’s joined by left tackle, junior CJ Kelly, who goes 6-5, 255 pounds and is only getting stronger. Kelly will see some time on the defensive line. Junior left guard Nick Capabianco is another potential standout already drawing college interest. “It can be the strength of team especially working with me,’’ Gilbert said. “They’re the ones that could take over the team.’’ The skill positions aren’t shabby either. Junior running back Charles Pisciotta heads their prominent junior class. And they will add quarterback Christian Corey, who opted not to play last season as he focused on baseball, earning a Division I scholarship to St. Peter’s. Gilbert got him back to showcase his big arm and he’ll be a co-captain, one of just six seniors on the roster. “Our hopes are high coming off that type of (JV) season with a relatively young

Mike Hancock Nick Capozzi

Nick Capozzi, a co-captain. He’s joined by left tackle, junior CJ Kelly, who goes 6-5, 255 pounds and is only getting stronger. Kelly will see some time on the defensive line. Junior left guard Nick Capabianco is another potential standout already drawing college interest. “It can be the strength of team especially working with me,’’ Gilbert said. “They’re the ones that could take over the team.’’ The skill positions aren’t shabby either. Junior running back Charles Pisciotta heads their prominent junior class. And they will add quarterback Christian Corey, who opted not to play last season as he focused on baseball, earning a Division I scholarship to St. Peter’s. Gilbert got him back to showcase his big arm and he’ll be a co-captain, one of just six seniors on the roster. “Our hopes are high coming off that type of (JV) season with a relatively young

team,’’ Gilbert said. “All kids from the JV now are here and have a coach like myself coming from a program like Manhasset and Garden City that’s used to winning and know how to coach winning attitudes. We’re in good shape to turn the program around.’’ The receiving corps also looks improved with 6-4 junior Mike Hancock, who was recruited from the basketball team. Hancock offers a different look with his hoops height. “Can throw it up and get it over anybody,’’ said Gilbert, who also recruited Will Jacobs from the soccer team to moonlight as parttime kicker. On defense, sophomore Jackson Hobam is being relied upon heavily after a terrifi c JV season. Hobam reminds Gilbert of his longago Garden City teammate, awardwinning Steve Jahelka, formerly of Harvard, because of his smarts and “doing the right things.’’ Locust Valley will have the best twin-brother defensive pairing on Long Island in safeties Connor Terrell and Phillip Terrell. Connor is the king of the lacrosse team. Before Gilbert is named Coach of the Year, he must fi rst get through the season opener when the Falcons face the Long Island champions, North Shore on Sept 10. There will be an emotional ring ceremony, then Locust Valley will try

coach like myself coming from a program like Manhasset and Garden City that’s used to winning and know how to coach winning attitudes. We’re in good shape to the basketball team. Hancock offers a different look with his hoops to hang with the Vikings. height. “Can throw it up and get “I prefer it,’’ Gilbert said. “I’d rather it over anybody,’’ said Gilbert, who face them right away, show them what also recruited Will Jacobs from the we got. We’ve been looking forward to soccer team to moonlight as part- them since the season ended. It’s the only time kicker. thing on our mind. If we want to be the On defense, sophomore best, we have to beat the best.” Jackson Hobam is being relied upon heavily after a terrifi c JV season. Hobam reminds Gilbert of his longago Garden City teammate, awardwinning Steve Jahelka, formerly of Harvard, because of his smarts and “doing the right things.’’

Schedule

September 10 @ North Shore 2:00 p.m. 17 Lawrence 2:00 p.m. 24 @ Malverne 2:00 p.m. October 1 Carle Place 3:00 p.m. 8 West Hempstead 2:00 p.m. 14 @ V.S South 6:30 p.m. 22 Seaford 2:00 p.m. 29 @ Oyster Bay 2:00 p.m.