I will spend the next few weeks previewing teams before they head to camp in August. If you are a coach and haven’t done so already, e-mail a preview of your team to jthomson@lohud.com.
IONA PREPCoach: Vic Quirolo
2014 record: 9-3
Players to watch:
Shane Martin, Sr., RB/OLB
Christian Nigro, Sr., WR
Darail McCormick, Sr., DL
Dylan Deierlein, Jr., WR/LB
Rodney Samson Jr., Jr., WR/LB
Thomas Murphy, Sr., LB
Christian McHugh, Sr., DB/RB
Dean Nigro, Sr., OL/DL
Michael Apostolopoulos, Jr., QB
Zach Kryza, Sr., QB/LB
Christian Rosell, Sr., RB/DB
Facts to know: Iona Prep lost in the CHSFL AAA championship game to Stepinac last year and is tasked with replacing almost its entire offense. Martin and Nigro are the only returning skill players of note. Apostolopoulos has taken the majority of snaps at QB this summer, but Kryza, a lacrosse player who did not play last season, has shown flashes of talent in the past. The defense returns several significant pieces, including Murphy, Deierlein and Martin at linebacker and McHugh at safety. The defense will be coached by longtime Harrison coach Art Troilo Jr., who spent last season on staff at Scarsdale. The Gaels will also tweak their offense with the help of former Horace Greeley coach Bill Tribou. They plan on running fewer read option plays, which were a staple in recent years, and will feature new packages with tight ends.
2015 schedule:
vs. Brunswick
at Stepinac
vs. Cardinal Hayes
at St. Anthony’s
at Monsignor Farrell
vs. Holy Cross
at Chaminade
vs. St. Peter’s
Previous previews:
