Sports
Rocky Point Football Looks to Bounce Back
Rocky Point Varsity football looks to rebound from a disappointing 1-7 season after installing a new offensive scheme and recovering from numerous injuries that tested the teams depth in 2010.
The 2010 season was not a successful one for Rocky Point football as the team struggled to find its footing early and suffered some injuries that showed the team’s lack of depth.
“Last year before we got going we expected to be very successful,” Head Coach Anthony DiLorenzo said. “Unfortunately we didn’t have much depth and we lost three kids last year to torn ACL’s. Without that depth you could see the results.”
The team is looking to implement a new offensive style and is returning a few key playmakers that they hope will help the team. Last season they were held under 10 points in seven of nine games. They come into 2011 ranked 11 out of 12 teams.
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Head coach: Anthony DiLorenzo
2010 Results: 1-7
Find out what's happening in Miller Place-Rocky Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Offense: “This year we’re a spread, no huddle team and this is the first time we’re doing it and it’s like we’ve been doing it for years,” DiLorenzo said. “We’ve done a good picking it up and our coaching staff has done a good job coaching it.”
Last year’s primary tailback Joe Kingston moves under center and will direct the offense. DiLorenzo called Kingston the team’s “biggest playmaker” and expects him to run the ball between 20-25 times a game and to throw it 10-15 times a game.
“We want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible,” DiLorenzo said.
Kingston will be joined in the backfield by running backs Nick Lasalla and Vin Bua. DiLorenzo described the duo as “thunder and lightning,” calling Lasalla the prototypical zone runner who can “take it to the house on any play.” Bua, a 6-foot 230-pound bruiser will provide the tough running inside the tackles.
The top two receiving threats are Nick Strano and John Popko. Strano had two touchdown receptions in 2010, while Popko had one.
Defense: The defense struggled at times last season, giving up an average of 27 points per game. They will be relying on Vin Bua and his brother Anthony along the defensive line, as well as senior Ryan Palasek. Palasek is a versatile end for Rocky Point, who DiLorenzo thinks will cause matchup problems.
“He’s very athletic and explosive,” DiLorenzo said. “He won’t just play one position – we’ll swap him all around.”
The two inside linebacker positions will be filled by Rob Maloney and Zeki Yazak. Maloney is new to the position but Yazak started last season and is someone DiLorenzo is counting on to lead the defense. They’ll be flanked on the outside by Matt King and Bryce Anderson.
Expectations: “We have a lot of potential,” DiLorenzo said. We’re ranked 11 of 12 in league but we have potential."
The question is – can the coaching staff and the players put it together to tap in the potential?”
DiLorenzo likes the way the team has looked in practice but he’s still unable to answer that key question just yet.
“I can’t answer it now, I’m not in the prediction business,” he said. “I’m not Rex Ryan, I can’t guarantee Super Bowls. I can tell you this – we’re going to give it everything we have, one play at a time.
Our focus right now is to give a little bit more – when you give everything you’ve got, we want just a little bit more. I think collectively if everyone gives a little bit more that will be the difference between winning and losing.”
Key Games
- Sept. 9 at Eastport-South Manor
- Oct. 1 at Miller Place
- Oct. 14 vs. East Hampton/Bridgehampton/Pierson
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