BY JIM FURLONG
Before every practice and every game, the undefeated
Sachem North varsity players gather together and
shout an inspirational chant. "One of the coaches
will say 'Are you ready?''' said senior co-captain
Ryan Gerondel. "And we say HOO-RAH! It's just a fun
thing. That gets us up and ready to play football."
The fourth-ranked Flaming Arrows are certainly
having fun and are getting ready to clinch a berth
in the 2009 Suffolk County Division 1 playoffs.
Coach Dave Falco's squad carries a 5-0 record into
Saturday's away game at Central Islip (2-3).
"We have a giant target on our backs because of our
record," said Gerondel. "We know it and we can't
take anybody lightly. We are confident in ourselves.
We know we can rely on each other and get the job
done."
Sachem North started the season No. 7 in the
Division 1 preseason ratings, and Gerondel said some
people thought his team was the underdog in three of
its first five games -- against top-seeded William
Floyd, third-seeded Longwood and fifth-seeded
Brentwood.
In their opener, the Flaming Arrows toppled
Floyd 17-14 in Mastic Beach. They scored four
touchdowns in the second half to rally at Longwood
25-21. And last weekend won a 42-41 thriller against
Brentwood. "We are really motivated," Gerondel said.
"When we got Floyd, we showed we are the real deal."
Currently, Sachem North and Northport (5-0)
share first place in the Division I standings, and a
victory over Central Islip will likely assure the
Flaming Arrows the opportunity to host a
first-round playoff game.
"I don't want to say I am surprised (by a 5-0
record)," said Falco. "But we have had some breaks
and we have stayed healthy, and the kids worked hard
in the summer. I knew we had a good group coming
back."
While Sachem North will dress 35 players to
challenge Central Islip, Falco said he plans to
start 10 players both ways. Gerondel competes at
wide receiver and cornerback. Angelo Armine, a
quick, agile junior, starts at quarterback and
outside linebacker. Jesse Scanna and Mike Andreassi
are solid and dependable at running back and
linebacker.
Davon Lawrence, who has proven himself one of the
premier runners on Long Island this season, totals
835 yards on 95 carries in five games. He has scored
10 touchdowns on offense and also returned an
interception for a TD playing safety.
Solid two-way linemen are Tim Lang, Joe Kirchner,
Andrew Mellina, Ryan Sampson and James Thompson.
Ryan Grasman starts at tight end and outside
linebacker. Travis Nardello kicked six extra points
to help edge Brentwood.
The Flaming Arrows count on their strong rushing
attack since the team has not thrown a TD pass this
season (10 completions in 29 attempts for 164
passing yards) . Sachem North is averaging more
than seven yards a carry on 228 attempts.
Andreassi is also an All-Star candidate with 500
yards and four TDs on 75 carries. Scanna has gained
257 yards on 25 carries and Armine has rushed for
160 yards on 35 carries.
The Flaming Arrows are dedicated to doing their
homework. Falco said the coaches spend about 20
hours a week analyzing video film of the next
opponent. The players often visit the coaches'
offices to watch film during the week, said Gerondel.
Falco also credits John Horst, the strength and
conditioning coach, for boosting the team's
collective ability and stamina.
The head coach, of course, is not looking past the
next game..
"We are not talking about the playoffs or going
undefeated," said Falco. "I am happy where we are,
but we need to stay focused and keep going."
Followng the duel against Central Islip, Sachem
North hosts Connetquot (3-2) on Oct. 23 and ends its
regular-season schedule Oct. 31 at Commack (2-3)
