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Colonials face Great Expectations in quest for 'three-peat'
BY JIM FURLONG
Great Expectations.
More than a century ago, Charles Dickens wrote a classic novel using that
title.
As all high school football teams in Suffolk County begin their 2007 seasons,
one team more than any other faces Great Expectations.
Can the William Floyd Colonials achieve a "three-peat?"
Coach Paul Longo, his
assistants and 46 varsity players have a mighty ambition: to win the program's
third-consecutive Long Island Class I championship. Floyd, which has not lost
in more than 1,000 days, aims to extend its school-record 22-game winning
streak, and a 33-game home winning streak.
The Colonials' regular-season schedule starts with back-to-back home games
at 7 p.m., hosting Patchogue-Medford on Sept.15 and Longwood on Sept. 20.
Longo, in his 13th season commanding the Colonials, knows his team can't hide
from Great Expectations.
"There is a lot of pressure on us," Longo said. "It seems like every game we have a chance to break a record or extend a record. I hear the seniors saying 'We are not going to lose.' , , , 'We are not going to be the ones to break the (winning) streak.'
"If we go 6-2, people
will say what happened? For other schools, 6-2 in a great year or maybe their
best record."
The Colonials, with exceptional talent at the offensive skill positions, are
Long Island's top-ranked team in preseason polls, and running back Brock Jacklolski
was named the 2007 preseason player of the year by the LI Blitz website.
Pat-Med coach James Chiarello thinks the Colonials will surge again.
"They can only beat themselves," Chiarello said. "They have all the talent in the world. If they take care of the football and not make mistakes, they should go for three in a row."
Longo paused when asked if the 2007 varsity might be his best team.
"It's definitely
too early to tell," he said. "We lost some valuable players on defense,
but we return some of the most talented juniors I have ever had."
Two blue-chip athletes -- quarterback Joey Sidaras and Jackolski -- figure
to spark an explosive offense and potent passing.
"I think (Sidaras) is the most talented quarterback to ever play at Floyd,"
Longo said. "Brock does it all. How many times do you have a guy coming
back with seven touchdowns in (two) Long Island championship games? Brock
is the most-versatile player that I've had."
Jackolski will also start at free safety, do the punting and return kickoffs
and punts.
Fullback Ricky Kruger adds strong blocking and ample experience.
Several talented wide receivers - Jesse Kelly, John Amato, Tim Cork and sophomore Nick Astore -- will help propel the spread offense. Steve Murphy (the No. 2 quarterback) is a skilled tight end. Jon Korn has proven a dependable place kicker.
Longo needed three new starters for the offensive line to join center Joe Johnson and right guard Tom Lindley. He also will have new starters at linebacker, cornerback and two defensive linemen.
A major factor during
Floyd's 22-game winning streak has been consistently stingy defense. Only
six times did an opponent score more than eight points.
Will the 2007 defenders continue to roadblock rivals?
"It depends on how
the linebackers and linemen progress," Longo said. "If they progress
fast, we can be pretty tough."
Longo praised junior defensive lineman Marcus Muelthaler as "most improved"
and said sophomore linebacker Kevin Lacey can make a definite contribution.
Sam Feerer is a new starter at defensive tackle.
One Floyd senior starter said constant dedication and constant mental preparation are cornerstone of the program's lingering success (an overall 57-6 record the last six seasons).
"Players change. Schemes change, but the hard work, the desire to win is always there," lineman Calvin Forbes said. "It comes from tradition at Floyd: to give eveyrhing you have -- blood, sweat and tears and make sure you come out on top.
"To remain undefeated,
you have to be dedicated to winning and that's what we are." Sidaras
stressed the team's unity.
"We are all a family," Sidaras said. "We are like brothers,
really close."
William Floyd Colonials
The probable starting lineup for the Sept. 15 regular-season opener:
OFFENSE -- QB Joey Sidaras, RB Brock Jackolski, FB Ricky Kruger, TE Steve
Murphy, C Joe Johnson, RG Tom Lindley, RT Andrew Lingg, LG Dom Buffa, LT J.J.
Santiago, WR Jesse Kelly or John Amato, Wing Tim Cork. Kicker - Jon Korn.
DEFENSE -- CB Vaughn Magee, CB Korn, FS Jackolski, DE Calvin Forbes, DE Marcus
Muelthaler, T Sam Feerer, T Chris Cordovano, ILB Kruger, ILB Kevin Lacey,
OLB Rey Marcano, OLB Wayne Magee. Punter - Jackolski.
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