Section One champions. Regional Playoff Champions. New York State Finalists.

 

By Mitch Silver

Section One champions. Regional Playoff Champions. New York State Finalists.

The 2013 edition of the Rye Neck football team created some wonderful memories, and several additions to the school’s trophy case.

But it’s 2014 now, and Coach Nick Ianello enters his twelfth season at the helm wondering if history will repeat itself. “We lost eleven players to graduation, starters on both sides of the ball. Still, I like our group.”

What’s not to like? Seniors Dom Brescia and Jake Sevean return to carry the pigskin. Brescia hauled it 847 yards last season to lead the 11-1 Panthers. When Brescia wasn’t running with it last year, Sevean was gaining 74 important yards in the State semifinal crushing of Hoosick Falls.

Ah, but who’s going to hand them the ball? It looks like Daniel Gottlieb, a transfer from Mamaroneck High, will be the starting QB. “He Iis very focused, very hard working,” his coach said. “He looked good this summer at White Plains’ Tiger Camp. Once he gets our system under his belt, he’ll be fine.”

Another Black Hat strength is the line. Anthony Strazza, the Garafolo brothers, Maury Corona, Zach Chmelecki, and Mark Cianciulli will be major contributors. And that’s not counting Pedro Cueto, the Panthers’ leading tackler with 97 stops last year, 17 in the title game alone.

Backing them up is speedy senior captain Chris Richart, defensive MVP in last year’s Sectional Championship game from his safety position. The additional presence of Nick D’Errico and Jack Evans will make the Black Hats a tough backfield for any Class C squad to throw on.

Will championship lightning strike twice in the same place? Very possibly, if the season opener is any portent of things to come. Dom Brescia reeled off three long touchdown runs against an improved Haldane team to break open a close game at the half. The Black Hats won 26-0, with Jake Sevean scoring the final TD for Rye Neck.