Season Preview: Croton-Harmon Football

Replacing someone like all-state running back Matt Tralli is something that will be almost an impossible task but according to Croton-Harmon coach John Catano, that’s part of the business.

“Every Pop Warner team, high-school team, college team has players that go on, move away, graduate, that’s a part of life,” Catano said. “Nobody can replace on their own what Matt did. I am confident though that if the players we have this year play up to the their capabilities we will be fine.”

Considering the Tigers track record, they should be fine. A year ago, the Tigers finished the year at 10-1, won the Section 1 Class B title on their way to an appearance in the state semifinals.

The two years before that, they were sectional finalists (2009) and state finalists (’08).

An example of the Tigers’ great track record in recent years has been their play at the quarterback position. That has been kept up by senior Jesse Mainiero, who rushed for 934 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

Mainiero has continued the fine play of Tyler Dorian in ’09 and three-year starter, Jesse’s brother Nick Mainiero.

“We have been lucky to have quarterbacks that can run,” Catano said. “Between him, his brother and Tyler, they have combined to run for between 2,500-3,000 yards the last three years.”

Catano said he is especially lucky to have Mainiero for this upcoming campaign.

“Jesse is fast, he can make quick decisions,” Catano said. “He can read the defenses well and does a great job of running the option.”

Joining Mainiero in the backfield are junior running backs Brian Soares and Nick Grous.

They will be running behind a rock solid line, led by senior three-year starter, tackle John Brennan and four-year senior starters Dennis O’Connell and Kyle Ricciardi.

All three also will play major roles on defense, with Brennan at defensive tackle, O’Connell on the defensive line and Ricciardi at linebacker.

At center will be senior Matt Doughty, who will also see time at defensive tackle. Alex Bowser, who started on the defensive line last year as a sophomore, will play both sides of the line this year as a junior.

Croton-Harmon will begin defense of its Section 1 Class B crown when it hosts Kennedy Catholic at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

“Obviously, everybody’s goal is to win the states,” Catano. “However, and I am not trying to be a wise guy but right now my goal is to just beat Kennedy.”

Catano, a ’76 Hen Hud graduate who was a lineman for the Sailors, will go back to his alma mater the following week for a game at Hen Hud at 7 p.m. Sept. 16. Catano, whose kids went to Hen Hud, held a variety of JV and modified coaching jobs for 15 years at Hen Hud, before becoming the Tigers head coach in ’98.

It is believed to be according to Catano, the first meeting between the two local schools since ’65.

“They really want to make a big deal out of this,” Catano said. “They want to get guys who played in the last game for the coin toss. It’s should be a great night for the community.”