CNS Northstars will have to improve on last season’s 4-4 performance if they hope to be in contention for a sectional title. Coach Steve Ellis and his assistants Bill Aldrich, Casey Brown, Pat Macnamara, and Vinnie Corasaniti believe they have their work cut out for them. They must replace some key players like Ryan Lacey, Austin Hyde, Jaiqwon Jones, Matt Logudice, Tom Padula, Lawrence Briggs, Sean McKenna and Xavier Richardson. However, Coach Ellis believes he has the foundations of a solid team. Returning on offence this season are Sr. RB/DB Blake Monday 5’9 170, Sr. FB/LB Corey Barnes 6’0 215, Sr. OL/DL Tawone Williams 6’0 345, Sr. OL/DL  Jack Hotaling 5’8 225, Sr. OL/DL Ariel Anoceto  6’0 200, and Sr. TE/DL Cameron Doray 6’2 195. Coach Ellis believes good experience on the offensive line is the strength of his offensive unit. On the other side of the ball it is at the linebacker position that the Northstars will be the strongest. CNS is led by Barnes, Monday, Williams and Sr. LB/FB Branden Lacey 5’8 170, and Sr. LB/FB Mike Parody 5’11 195.  Some new impact players the Northstars will relay on this season include Sr. WR/DB Bobby Doxtator 5’9 155, Sr. WR/DB Emanuel Henderson 5’7 155, Jr. WR/LB Vaughndell Brantley 6’1 195, Soph. OL/DL Tyler Hemingway 5’9 245, Soph. WR/DB Avery Yarn 5’11 150, Soph. RB/DB Mark Broughton 5’7 150, Jr. RB/LB Zach Waldron 5’8 170,  and Jr. RB/DB Dewayne Garner 5’8 195. To be successful the season coach Ellis states “The front on each side of the ball for us needs to play very well to make up for some inexperience at the skill positions”. According to coach Ellis the biggest challenges that face the Northstars this season are “Having younger skilled position players is a challenge at this point until we find out who are playmakers are going to be on a weekly basis.  Establishing a good kicker to take care of our kicking duties.  Also, our schedule is a big challenge.  We play 4 out of our first 5 games on the road to start the season.  The one home game in a non-league game that has no impact on making the playoffs so we won’t play a meaningful home game until the second to last game of the season, which happens to be the defending section III champions who look poised to repeat this year”. Good luck the Nothstars this season.

Coach Ted Swavely and his RFA Black Knight look to return to the AA playoffs this season on the backs of nine returning starters on offence and seven on defense. New QB Kyle Hash will lead the Black Knights with some help from WR Josh Royce, and running backs Dan Secor, Jordan Henry, and Richie Stapleton. Anchoring the offensive line is center Miles Bardo, Michael Phillips, Sonny Caruso, Pat Gosler, and Andrew DeBlasiis. The defense will be led by linebacker Charlie Zonnevylle. Playing some of the state’s best in class AA will be a challenge for the black Knights but look for them to take a solid step toward post season play this season if they hit the ground running quickly.