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Sports

PM Raiders Football 2010 Preview

Pat-Med looks to bounce back from 2-6 season.

Coming back with a bit more experience, speed and defense for the 2010 season, the Patchogue-Medford Raiders Varsity Football team is hoping to stage a comeback from last year's disappointing 2-6 season. The season will kick off with a neighborly rival game against Sachem North on Sept. 11.

Team Name: Patchogue-Medford Raiders Varsity Football

'09 Record: 2-6

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Head coach: James Chiarello (10th season)

League/division pre-season ranking: 7

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Top players: Sr. QB Kevin Gerard; Sr. RB/DE Tyler Moston; Sr. Center Ryan Jensen; Sr. LG/DT Louis Dallojacono; Sr. QB Gabe Lijoi; Jr. TE/DE Chris Makulik.

Position breakdown: Improving their speed on both offense and defense, the Raiders will look to their offensive line to help their running plays, which Chiarello said are key to their success.

"We're a Wing-T offense; we're about 85 percent run," Chiarello said, adding that they play a 5-2 defense.

Look for Junior Chris Makulik to use his speed and strength to make some big blocks on offense as a tight end. "He's one of the strongest kids on our team, all the guys look up to him," Chiarello noted. The Raiders also hope Makulik will come up with some key tackles as a defensive end.

Two seniors – newcomer Gabe Lijoi and returning player and varsity team captain Kevin Gerard – will share the quarterback position. Gerard, who also is a lacrosse star, has speed and versatility on the field. Look for the captain to also be used as a defensive back, running back and wide receiver. Lijoi, who is stronger on the short pass, will be an asset when it comes to deciphering coverage.

The team lost two key players to injuries last season, but both are returning for a final year with the Raiders in the hopes of boosting their running game. Center Ryan Jensen, who has been riddled with injuries the last two seasons, will use his size (6'2, 305 pounds) to guard the line. Tyler Moston, who went down with an ankle injury during a scrimmage last year, will return as a running back and defensive end.

"He's doing a good job getting through the holes and being explosive," Chiarello said of Moston. "He's also a great blocker."

Also look for returning player Louis Dallojacono to make some big plays on the line of scrimmage as a defensive tackle, and to help the running game as a left guard.

"Dallojacono's strong and smart," Chiarello said. "He's a leader of our offense. He knows the plays, and is one of our top bench pressers."

Chiarello will be plugging some holes left from last year with some up and coming juniors. Linebackers Mark Frey and Carlos Torres will aim to strengthen the defense, while runningback Alistair Streat will play a pivotal role in the team's running game.

Although this year will be a learning experience for most of the sophomores and freshmen, sophomore Dominic Fucci is looking to have a breakout season as a starting safety.

 "He's just a great tackler," Chiarello commented. "He's quick to the ball, not afraid to hit, and very aggressive."

Being able to depend on more experienced players will be the big difference this year, according to Chiarello.

"This year we have a lot of seniors who have a year of experience under their belt," he said, adding that the team did not lose any key players from last year.

Expectations: Despite a disappointing finish in 2009, Chiarello said the Raiders are aiming to turn things around this season.

"We're hoping to make it back to the playoffs," he said. "I think the team looks better as a whole this year. Our two scrimmages went pretty well so far. We're definitely ahead of where we were last year in terms of execution and getting guys where they need to be."

Key games: The toughest game of the year could be their first, according to Chiarello. To kick off the 2010 season, the Raiders will face the first-ranked Sachem North Flaming Arrows in Lake Ronkonkoma on September 11.

"We're in a tough division," Chiarello said, noting that William Floyd, the defending 2009 Division 1 champions, also will be a challenge to beat. They are scheduled to play the Colonials at home during their last game of the regular season on October 29.

News & Notes: Due to scheduling conflicts, the Raiders homecoming parade and game will be pushed to the last game of the season … Cuts are over for the Raiders, who are carrying a 41-man roster this year which includes 21 seniors, 14 juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen ... Having spent extensive time in the weight room and running drills this summer, the Raiders hope they can return to the dominating champions they once were in the late 1990s and early 2000s. From 1996-1998, the Raiders won 22 games in a row. They only missed the playoffs twice in the last nine years, and have three Long Island championships, the last coming in 2002.

 

2010 Schedule:

DATE            OPPONENT              TIME

9/11/10             @ Sachem North               7 p.m.

9/16/10            @ Sachem East                    6 p.m. 

9/24/10             vs. Connetquot                   6 p.m.

10/02/10             vs. Ward Melville            6 p.m.

10/09/10             @ Brentwood                    1:30 p.m.

10/15/10             @ Lindenhurst                   6 p.m.           

10/22/10             vs. Commack                      6 p.m.

10/29/10             vs. William Floyd              1:30 p.m.

 

 2010 Seeds (with 2009 records)

  • 1. Sachem North (10-1)
  • 2. Floyd (10-2)  
  • 3. Lindenhurst (5-5)  
  • 4. Northport (7-2)  
  • 5. Connetquot (4-5)  
  • 6. Longwood (4-5)  
  • 7. Patchogue-Medford (2-6)  
  • 8. Bay Shore (5-4)   
  • 9. Brentwood (5-5)  
  • 10. Central Islip (3-6)  
  • 11. Sachem East (1-7)  
  • 12. Whitman (2-6)  
  • 13. Commack (2-6)  
  • 14. Ward Melville (2-6)
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