Football Set To Kick Off 2009 Season Against American International Saturday, 1 p.m.
The C.W. Post football team enters its second season playing in the prestigious Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and after experiencing their first run though, the Pioneers are determined to shed their newcomer status and contend for a conference title. Head coach Bryan Collins, in his 12th season at the helm of the squad and the all-time winningest coach at C.W. Post, is ready along with his staff to steer the Pioneers back to prominence and back to the top of Division II football.
QUARTERBACK
The quarterback position is considered to be open though Collins expects a battle between redshirt sophomore #R.J. Kuhn# (Sayville, N.Y.) and junior transfer Eric Anderwkavich (Queens, N.Y.). Kuhn appears to be the front runner to take the snaps after seeing live action in 2008. He came into the game against Shippensburg (Oct. 4) and completed 17 of 38 pass attempts for 159 yards and one touchdown. His work ethic along with his size and ability to run with the ball make him valuable in game situations.
Anderwkavich also has game experience at the center position after playing two seasons at Allan Hancock College. At 5-foot-11, Anderwkavich is athletic and is elusive with a strong arm and the ability to run with the ball.
Adding backup is redshirt freshman Grayson Laurino (Boise, Idaho) and incoming freshman Justin Perez (Freehold, N.J.). Laurino amassed 1,300 passing yards along with 500 rushing yards his senior year at Boise High, including 356 passing yards and three touchdowns in a single game. Perez was a three-year starter at St. Peter's of N.J. and ran an offense similar to the Pioneers' and also has the ability to gain yardage on the run.
RUNNING BACK
Senior Anthoney Adamic (Selden, N.Y.) is the only returning starter at his position and will be looked up on for his experience and ability to gain tough yardage. Adamic toted the pig skin on 104 attempts and netted 382 yards and hit pay dirt three times.
Adding to the mix this season is freshman Thomas Beverly (Wyandanch, N.Y.) who hails as the all-time leading rusher out of St. John the Baptist, logging over 2,500 yards in his career. At 6-foot-1, Beverly is a tall, slashing runner that will be competing for an immediate opening in the starting lineup.
After seeing playing time as a defensive specialist in 2008, senior Neil Lewis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) returns to his natural position at running back where he can contribute offensively for the Pioneers.
WIDE RECEIVER
The Pioneers have a bevy of receivers available on the roster that complement the spread offense scheme.
Senior Chris Harris (Islip, N.Y.) returns as the leading receiver from 2008 with 699 yards and five touchdown catches. Named to the PSAC All-Conference Second Team, Harris registered a season-high 119 yards and two touchdown receptions against Lock Haven.
Senior Ryan Pettys (Long Beach, Calif.) returns for his fi nal season and hopes to stay healthy. He caught 18 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
Incoming junior Andrew Kell (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) joins the Pioneers after a two-year stretch at Nassau. Kell was the leading receiver for the Lions last season with 311 yards on 23 catches and enjoyed a great spring at C.W. Post. Penciled in as a slot receiver, Kell's knowledge of the position and athleticism can cause matchup problems for the defense.
Five incoming freshmen who come from strong high school programs will strengthen the position.
New Jersey native Matt Sheehy (North Brunswick, N.J.) was an all-state receiver while playing at Bishop George Ahr. Sheehy tallied over 350 receiving yards while making 30 tackles. Sean Persch (Gap, Pa.) is a 6-foot, 175-pounder that broke records for most receptions, yards and touchdowns. Will Figueroa (Staten Island, N.Y.) comes to Brookville after a year at Milford Academy. Figueroa, who caught 14 passes for 127 yards at Milford, amassed over 1,500 all purpose yards while playing high school ball at St. Peter's.
Joe Botti (Holtsville, N.Y.) and Ryan Derham (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) both competed in the prestigious Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge this past spring. A great receiver, Botti was a three-sport athlete at Sachem East and garnered Newsday “Player of the Week” honors. Derham set the single-season record for receptions (57) and totaled over 600 receiving yards his senior year.
Orayne McEachron (Bay Shore, N.Y.) will look for time on the field this season after sitting out as a redshirt. McEachron is tall and has good size and is a solid fit to line up at wideout.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Sophomores Mike Miller (Mar-Lin, Pa.) and Kevin Martin (Patchogue, N.Y.) are both effective on the front line. Miller is slotted to play at right guard while Martin will line up at left tackle. Junior Will Strano (East Patchogue, N.Y.), played in all 11 games last season and will move over to the center position. Redshirt sophomore John Siopa (Centereach, N.Y.) is slotted to play at right tackle and could also be relied upon to take snaps at center. Sophomore David McKasty (Brookhaven, N.Y.) will look for time at right guard.
Adding depth on the line is senior Drew TenBruggencate (San Mateo, Calif.), who saw time at right tackle last season. Sophomore Bill Ferguson (Plainview, N.Y.) and junior transfer Paul Santasieri (Franklin Square, N.Y./Southern Conn.) will push for time up front. Incoming freshman Chris Williams (Syosset, N.Y.) was an all-Long Island selection at Syosset and will also look to crack into the rotation.
DEFENSE
Despite the loss of leading tackler Kurt Ellis due to graduation the Pioneers return seven starters, including two on the defensive line, which has grown stronger with more experience.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Junior Xavier Brown (Bayshore, N.Y.), a preseason All-American selection that received a PSAC East First Team nod, has great size and is a proven impact player. In 2008, Brown led the squad with 16.5 tackles for loss of 70 yards and 6.5 sacks for loss of 44 yards. His speed allows him to chase down and strip the ball away.
Redshirt sophomore Abrom Shepard (Staten Island, N.Y.) had an excellent year in 2008 with 24 tackles, three sacks and one pass breakup.
Sophomore Kadeem Huggins (Corona, N.Y.) showed great potential last season, making 20 tackles, including 17 unassisted, and recording 1.5 sacks for a loss of 13 yards. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Jackson (Middletown, N.Y.) makes his return to the gridiron after sitting out last season from injuries. Also looking to return to action is junior Brian Clinton (Amityville, N.Y.), who last played in 2007. Redshirt sophomore TuQwan Ashley (Hoboken, N.J.) should see an extensive amount of playing time after seeing action in 10 games last season and recording 23 tackles.
The defensive unit adds three newcomers that are sure to add to the already strong unit. Junior transfer Ryan Contee (Charlestown, R.I.) is game-ready after leading Dean Junior College to back-to-back NEFC conference championship titles, recording 14 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in seven games played in 2008. Junior Hasan Radoncic (New York, N.Y.) is a transfer from Nassau, where he was named NEC First Team All-Conference in 2007.
The inside linebackers are anchored by Matt Bright (East Meadow, N.Y.), who battled injuries last season but is primed for a solid senior year. Bright, who appeared in all 11 games last season, has good knowledge and game experience. He made a season-high 11 tackles against Bloomsburg and later matched it against Millersville.
Collins added another experienced defenseman, Peter Manns (Dorchester, Mass.), a transfer from former Northeast-10 rival Bentley University, where he was named All-Conference. Described by Collins as a “difference maker,” Manns made 152 tackles, including 15 for loss of 63 yards, in 28 games for the Falcons.
Sophomores Lou Scala (Coram, N.Y.) and Billy O'Connor (Sayville, N.Y.) provide solid depth. Scala appeared in all 11 games and made six tackles. O'Connor made an immediate impact with 27 tackles, including 17 solos in 11 games.
Supplementing the unit are three outstanding freshmen that could make an immediate splash. Dominique Moody (Carrollton, Texas) was a four-year player at Creekview who made over 100 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown his senior year. Ty Booth (Kingsland, Ga.) made 80 tackles his senior year at Camden County High and helped the Wildcats capture the state title in 2008. Local talent Ozzie Garcia (Bronx, N.Y.) took the snaps his senior year and recorded over 600 passing yards while making 53 defensive tackles and one sack his senior year.
At outside linebacker, senior Tayrance Smith (Brooklyn, N.Y.), a three-year starter and PSAC East First Team selection, was second on the team in tackles (57u, 44a) while also recording two sacks and a forced fumble in 2008. Smith has a good read on opposing offense and his leadership at the line will help the defense break up plays.
Senior Kris Barnes (Uniondale, N.Y.) looks to have a solid year in his fi nal season wearing the green and gold. Barnes started every game last season as a defensive back and was fourth overall with 69 tackles (45u, 24a).
Freshman Sean Smith (Farmingdale, N.J.) will be solid contributors to the offensive line. Smith was a three-year starter at Colts Neck and finished his career with 234 tackles and rushed for over 1,200 yards his senior year.
SECONDARY
Sophomore Marquise Herron (Roosevelt, N.Y.) is penciled in to start at the cornerback positions. Both Herron and McKenley saw time last season as kick returners.
Herron started at cornerback last season and recorded two pass breakups against American International. Junior Aaron Hall (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) transfers in from Valley Forge Military College and will add depth to the position.
Meanwhile, senior Detrick Belvin (Sarasota, Fla.), who battled injuries while playing at inside linebacker, is slated for the strong safety position. Belvin made eight appearances last season and registered a season-high nine tackles at Shippensburg.
Freshman Ciwan McCoy (North Babylon, N.Y.) will also be an impact player after playing four years at Long Island power North Babylon.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The loss of Andrew Kroell will be tough to fi ll but the Pioneers will look to redshirt freshman John Korn (Shirley, N.Y.) to pick up punting and kicking duties. Korn made 58 of his 60 PAT attempts his senior year at William Floyd as the Colonials were Long Island champions and stayed undefeated between 2005 and 2007.
Freshman Chris Gallagher (Douglaston, N.Y.), a St. Francis Prep grad and Queens All-Star, will also having kicking duties this season.
Freshman Kurt Johnson (Oakdale, N.Y.) will serve as long snapper. Junior Andrew Kell (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) is penciled in for kick returns and sophomore Marquise Herron is slated for kick returns.
SCHEDULE
The Pioneers will host six home games on Hickox Field, beginning with their season opener against Northeast-10 member American International on Aug. 29.
Following AIC, the Pioneers go out on the road for two games against Indiana (Pa.) on Sept. 5 and Edinboro on Sept. 12 before returning home to host Cheyney on Sept. 19.
After a meeting away at Bloomsburg on Sept. 26, C.W. Post returns for Homecoming against Shippensburg on Oct. 3 followed by West Chester on Oct. 10. The Pioneers play at Millersville (Oct. 17) and East Stroudsburg (Oct. 24) before closing out the regular season at home against Kutztown (Oct. 31) and Lock Haven (Nov. 7).