Fall 2011 Preview: MacArthur Football

Sometimes, you just gotta have heart, and this year's MacArthur Generals football team has plenty of it.

“We may not be a “big” team this year as far as stature goes,” said head coach Bob Fehrenbach, “but our team consists of a great bunch of young men whoare dedicated, talented athletes.” 

Fehrenbach, who is in his 13th season as head coach, returns 22 players out of the 35 roster squad that went 6-3 in the regular season a year ago before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs to Farmigdale. Assistant coaches include Steve Fazzolari, Tom Bobal and Dennis Gorman.

The Generals will have a huge hole to fill as Thorp Award Winner Tom Joyce graduated and will play for Sacred Heart University. The team is expected to heavily rely on quarterback Gerard Cunningham (Jr.) as well as RB/LB Tom Kelleher (Jr.), RB/DB Tyler Eppich (Sr.) and RB/LB Brett Ellers (Sr.) to pick up for Joyce's absense.

According to Coach Ferhenbach, opening night on Saturday will be the team’s biggest challenge as they face the strong and reputable Freeport Red Devils, the defending Division 1 Long Island Champions, on the road.

Parents, students, alumni and community members are invited to come cheer on the Generals in this year’s Friday Night Light’s game which will take place on September 16 at 7:00 p.m. as the Generals host the Plainview JFK Hawks.

Homecoming festivities will take place on October 22, 2011. The parade will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the Cherrywood Shopping Center and head north on Wantagh Avenue to MacArthur High School. The game, against the Oceanside Sailors, will follow at 2 p.m.

Be sure to check out the full sports schedule at http://section8.nasboces.org/sportspakonline/mainindex.asp. You can also check Patch's events calendar.