There’s nothing like opening the season with your arch rival at home. Sachem North has that task Friday night under the lights at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium. William Floyd will roll into town for a game at 7 p.m.
We all know the history. We know the four years of playoff loses to the Colonials, including three straight in the county final. We know Sachem finally beat Floyd last year in the championship and captured that elusive Long Island championship a week later against Farmingdale. Oh, how sweet it was.
Sachem may be the defending Class I champions, but it never helps to open with the toughest schedule in Division I and possibly all of Suffolk County. But they’re just pre-season ranks, right? What’s a ranking compared to a roster of hungry athletes and coaches looking to defend their title?
Sachem opens against No. 6 Floyd, then travels to No. 1 Connetquot, hosts district-rival Sachem East, ranked No. 11, and then travels to No. 2 Patchogue-Medford. Nothing like going through the ringer four weeks before playoffs even begin.
Good news, Sachem returns some monster talent from last year’s roster. Regardless of the monumental talent Sachem graduated off last year’s championship depth chart, the Flaming Arrows return a handful of key role players. They’re all big names and spent their entire careers terrorizing opposing defenses and offenses. They’ll do the same in 2014.
Sachem studs to watch
- Jasheem Banks, Sr., RB/DB
- Kevin Bragaglia, Sr., RB/DB
- Anthony DiMatteo, Sr., OT/DE
- Chris Fasano, So., OT/DT
- Mike Licata, Sr., QB/DB
Bragaglia is the centerpiece for what should be an explosive Sachem offense as always. He’s bigger, stronger and faster and that just means big trouble for the rest of Division I. He already owns the Sachem career record for interceptions with 14 and has his sights set on the Suffolk County mark of 22, set by West Islip’s Bill McFadden (1977-79).
Through two varsity seasons he has 1,018 rushing yards, which ranks him No. 22 all-time in program history. As the primary back in the offense, the sky is the limit for Brags in terms of yardage, touches and scores.
“Kevin has developed into a team leader and I love how hard he works every day at practice,” said Sachem coach Dave Falco. “We all know about his explosive speed and his ability to cover receivers, make open field tackles and ball hawk those interceptions, but Kevin has developed into a team leader and I love how hard he works every day at practice to stay at the top of his game.”
Then there’s quarterback Mike Licata, who as a junior was thrust into the pocket and performed valiantly in helping Sachem capture the championship last season. Already committed to play lacrosse at LIU Post, Licata has clear eyes, a full heart and can’t lose mentality. Yeah, I took that from “Friday Night Lights.” But it’s true and Friday Night Lights is serious business in these parts, after all.
And how about that Sachem defense?
Anthony DiMatteo has been an absolute man-child since he started playing varsity as a spry freshman with a mustache. He’s bigger than ever now and the top returning lineman in Suffolk County.
“Anthony is ready to have a big year for us,” said Falco. “He committed to Bryant university in the spring and is focused on what he has to do to get us ready to play as a team. He is a big time player for us on both sides of the ball.”
Jasheem Banks is an intelligent and fast option in the backfield and will shine as a defensive back as well. He is primed to have an outstanding senior season.
Chris Fasano, who brings the size of DiMatteo, but is only a sophomore, is one of the best young two-way linemen on Long Island.
Falco on this year’s squad: “This year has a different look and feel being the defending Suffolk County and Long Island champion. We have gone back to work and the kids have worked hard to get ready to defend our title. It’s a tough start to the season with four tough games right off the start, but I think we will be ready to go when the whistle sounds. This is a different team with different player leaders and a few new faces on the staff. We are looking forward to the challenge. I like the vibe of this group and these coaches. They are serious about getting better every day and coming together as a team.”
2014 Sachem North Schedule
- vs. William Floyd, 7 p.m. (home opener)
- at Connetquot, 7 p.m. (road opener)
- vs. Sachem East, 5:30 p.m. (Sachem rivalry)
- at Pat-Med, 6 p.m.
- at Brentwood, 2 p.m.
- vs. Commack, 7 p.m. (Homecoming)
- vs. Longwood, 7 p.m. (Senior night)
- at Lindenhurst, 1:30 p.m.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro