Calhoun Football Preview: Colts Set Goals High in New Conference

It started this summer when every morning the Calhoun High School football team would start its morning with a three mile run in the sands of Long Beach.

Head coach Joseph Bianca and his Colts are preparing for that hard work to end this fall with a championship.

 "I am confident we can go all the way," quarterback Vincent Samuel said. "We have never been working harder."

 Linebacker and right guard Rob Rinck expressed the same confidence as his quarterback.

 "We will definitely make the playoffs," Rinck said.

The confidence of the players comes from a successful run last year playing up against much larger schools in Conference-I.  After battling powerhouses such as Freeport and Farmingdale, the Colts won their last four games to finish the regular season 5-3 and grab the 8-seed in the Nassau County playoffs. Their season ended after falling to eventual county runner-up Farmingdale in the first round 38-18.

This year, Calhoun will be competing against smaller schools in Conference-II.  The conferences in Nassau County were realigned this off-season placing teams based on the population of each school. 

"I feel good especially after competing in conference one, we have a lot of returning young guys," Bianca said when asked about how he felt after last season.

Of the returning starters, three will be in the Colts backfield including Nick Pititto and Coleman Meier. 

Creating the explosive running game will be the job of the offensive line that also includes three returning starters and is seen as a big strength for the Calhoun offense.

While the backfield and line will consist of veterans, the critical position of quarterback will have a new face after losing all-county quarterback Paul Grubb who graduated last year.

Samuel will be taking the snaps this year and has one simple goal for himself.

"Do whatever the coaches tell me and need me to do to help the team win," Samuel said when asked what his personal goal was entering this season.

The defense last year held opposing teams to under seven points four times and looks to be even tougher this year led by Chris Hedding and junior Rob Rinck, who feels this team is the strongest it has ever been.

 "We have a high intensity," Rinck said.  "We are very motivated."

Those sentiments were echoed by Bianca who loves the work ethic of the team and the intensity the team brings no matter where they are. He also shares the high expectations that the team has set for themselves.

"Our goal is to make the final four and compete for the championship," he said. 

 To reach that goal they will have to go through a tough schedule against multiple teams that finished in the playoffs last year, including the Conference-II county champions Garden City. They will face the Trojans in Garden City on Sept. 16.
 
"We have a tough schedule, but we would rather play the best teams," Bianca said.

Besides ending the year with a title the coach hopes his team can stay healthy, focused and battle adversity as it comes their way this season.

 "We need to focus on discipline and not to lose sight of our goal," Bianca said. "We need to overcome any obstacle that comes our way as a team."

The Colts will face their first test on Saturday when they will compete in a five team scrimmage at MacArthur High School in Levittown.

The regular season begins on Sept. 7 when Calhoun travels to Jericho for a 4:30 p.m. kick-off.