SSHS Cyclones 2010 Football Preview

Last season, South Side High School tabbed Paul Mastronardi as its boys' varsity football team coach after longtime coach Walter Denton suddenly retired. That happened just two months before the season started, which made Mastronardi's job of putting together a competitive squad a little harder.

"Last year was a very difficult year for us," Mastronardi said. "I got hired two months before the season started. I didn't have enough time to get things done. It was a culture shock for the players."

To make matters worse, the Cyclones lost a few top players to injury, ultimately resulting in 2-6 season last year. "We had a low number of players," he lamented. "We were missing a few players at key positions. We had a lot of injuries."

Mastronardi said he is confident that his increased numbers — 38 so far — and returning group of core players will help produce a better team during the 2010-11 campaign. While he's not entirely sure how many games South Side will win at this point, he said as long as his boys come ready to play, everything else should fall into place.

"I think we'll be a much improved football team," said Mastronardi, who has been coaching high school and college football for 20 years. "I don't know if that will translate into Ws, but our goal is to play hard in every game. I'm not worried about the W's as much as the intensity level. If the intensity level is there, the winning will come."

Leading the list of talented players who Mastronardi feels will reverse the team's fortunes this season is senior signal-caller James Howard, who the second-year coach said has, "tremendous leadership ability on the field and is a very smart player."

Anchoring the offensive line will be senior John O'Connor (6-1, 210), who missed two games last year due to an ankle injury. Senior offensive lineman/linebacker Tyler Donoghue played fullback as a sophomore, and will be returning to the Cyclones' backfield fold this season.

Donoghue, who missed three games last year because of an ankle ailment, still managed to lead South Side in tackles.

Ranked ninth in Division III, the Cyclones' schedule is packed with several football powerhouses, including No. 3 Hewlett and No. 5  Sewanhaka, however, Mastronardi said he believes his boys can play with just about anyone in the conference.

"We're hoping to get better as the season goes along," he said. "Plainedge, Hewlett, Lawrence and Lynbrook are all top teams. After that, everyone is pretty evenly matched."

South Side opens this year on  Wednesday, Sept. 8 at No. 1 ranked Lawrence, who are the Nassau County defending champions.