Mepham Football Looking for Another Shot at the Nassau County Title

The Mepham Pirates Football team experienced a stellar run late into the season in 2010, eventually falling to Carey in the Nassau County Class B semifinals.

The team finished with a 6-2 regular season record along with a “Big 4 Tournament” championship and a 7-3 overall record after the playoffs.

“We have been getting a very good effort from the kids and they’ve come a long way in learning the system,” said fourth-year head coach Anthony Cracco. “We have definitely took a step up in the seeding this year, but I am looking forward to the challenge of playing higher seeds and getting everyone’s best effort.”

The Pirates will look to replace three-year starting quarterback Nick White, an All-County player and Senior Bowl MVP, as well as Chris Shevins, an All-County lineman and Kessinich Award winner. The players to do the job will be led by senior running back and defensive back Kevin Tauriello, who amassed 800 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

“We have been improving a lot and younger guys are stepping up this year,” Tauriello said. “I think this year we can take it further to the next step after losing to Carey in the playoffs last year.”

Senior Miguel Shaw will also be a key player as a fullback and defensive end along with seniors Elias Lozada at tight end and linebacker and Dillon Gordon at wide receiver and defensive back as well as well junior Joe Alieerti at offensive tackle and middle linebacker.

“Everyone is excited about playing the game they love and everyone has been pushing themselves,” Shaw said. “We have a harder schedule than in the past, but it is nothing we can’t handle at all.”

Lining up under center as starting quarterback will be a competition between senior Kyle Berlin and senior A.J. Heller. Both players figure to be key offensive pieces as well despite where they line up. 

After being ranked fifth in the preseason polls, Mepham has a tough schedule ahead of them in 2011. The Pirates open up their schedule on the road against rival Bellmore Kennedy (9/10), followed by another road game at Carey (9/17). The team will also play Jericho (9/24), Wantagh (10/1), Herricks (10/6) and Elmont (10/15). Mepham will wrap up their regular season schedule with two road games against Long Beach (10/22) and Garden City (10/29).

“Our new season started in November in our off-season and our goal is to take it as far as we can go, win those games that we didn’t last year and hopefully make it to the Nassau County and Long Island championships,” Cracco added.