The seniors for Center Moriches are hard-working
pioneers. They bonded with coach Steve Failla since
the birth of their varsity program, and on Saturday
they are eager to compete in their high school's
first appearance in the Suffolk County football
playoffs.
In a Division 4 quarterfinal, the sixth-seeded
Red Devils (5-3) will take a 35-mile bus ride to
challenge third-seeded Amityville (6-2).
"You can see it in everyone's eyes that they are
confident and that makes me confident," said senior
Dillon Simpson. "It is pretty overwhelming. It is
unheard of -- a third-year varsity program going to
the playoffs. We started from nothing and now we are
in the playoffs against a legit team."
Failla was hired four years to start from
scratch. He and his assistants began at the JV level
and have created a dedicated,
cohesive group which earned new recognition for
Center Moriches, which for years has been known as a
"soccer" school.
"(Advancing to the playoffs) shows the human
spirit," said Failla. "You can set a goal and work
toward it, and remember, if you work hard, you can
accomplish it. We had high expectations, but high
expectations equals a higher outcome."
Senior co-captain Kyle Manico, after Wednesday's
practice, described what the Red Devils are thinking
and feeling as they prepare for the first
game-of-its-kind in school history.
"We are proud to prove to the whole town that we
could do it: make it to the playoffs faster than
everybody believed," said Manico a running
back-linebacker. "And to gain the respect from the
rest of the division. They didn't expect us to do it
either."
The Red Devils began their 2009 schedule listed
No. 10 in the preseason coaches' ratings for the 14
teams in Division 4.
"We are playing with house money right now," said
Manico. "No one expects us to win (Saturday) except
our guys. (The Amityville Warriors) have the weight
on their shoulders. It is like picking on the
smallest guy in the bar and not the biggest guy.
"We just have to believe. Don't be afraid of
their record."
Amityville, which is ranked sixth this week in
the LONG ISLAND BLITZ poll for Conference 4 teams in
Nassau and Suffolk. owns a four-game winnings
streak, and has outscored is last three opponents by
a combined margin of 123-23.
The Warriors, coached by Chris Taylor, have lost
only to the top two Suffolk Division 4 teams:
undefeated Elwood John Glenn (8-0) and Babylon
(7-1).
"We have overcome some obstacles, a lot of
injuries, but (Saturday) is the biggest," said
Simpson, who plays tailback and linebacker. "It's
the same core of guys working together."
Manico said the players, especially the seniors,
have several motivations.
"Most of us know (the playoffs) could be our last
chance to show the community what type of team we
are, that we worked the hardest," he said. "Also, I
think, there is a lot of anxiety; for people to go
out there to give their all, to put it on the line
and have no regret."
This week in the school building, Manico said
he's seen hand-made poster boosting the team and
heard more compliments. He said many students,
cheerleaders and teachers are wearing the school
colors.
The players who live in East Moriches have a
specific reason to feel a sense of satisfaction.
Manico explained, when they finished middle
school, the guys from East Moriches faced a choice:
to attend Westhampton Beach High and play for Coach
Bill Parry's established program or join the
brand-new Center Moriches program.
"Those guys wanted to prove that (the Red Devils)
had a competitive program," said Manico. "To those
guys, it means a lot.
"For the guys who live in Center Moriches, we
feel we have to pave the road for the (younger)
kids, who are coming up, that the program is growing
and to set a high standard."
The two other co-captains, senior quarterback Joe
Ratti and senior lineman Ryan Davis, have made a
big contribution, said Failla.
Ratti, despite an injury, has rushed for four
touchdowns and a team-high 805 yards, and passed for
nine TDs and 711 yards. Davis, who did not play any
other prep sports, joined the football program and
blossomed. Davis has started 24 consecutive varsity
games.
"Joe started in the eighth grade as a running
back," said Failla. "We groomed him to be the first
quarterback in the history of Center Moriches
football. Joe brings a work ethic that is second to
none.
"Ryan is a leader for us and he has started every
game."
Two other players -- juniors Bobby Reeve and
Connor Murphy -- earned praise from Failla
"They anchor the offensive line," said the
coach.
In the other Suffolk Division 4 quarterfinals
this weekend, Glenn hosts the eighth-seeded
Greenport-Shelter Island-Mattituck team (4-4),
Babylon hosts seventh-seeded Bayport-Blue Point
(3-5) and fourth-seeded Hampton Bays (7-1) gets a
hone game against Mount Sinai (5-3).
