Football Preview: Yorktown Huskers

If you are expecting a New York Jets coach Rex Ryan type of boast when asking Yorktown coach Mike Rescigno what he expects from his Huskers this fall, you can forget about it.

That's because Rescigno isn't thinking about where his Huskers will finish at the end of the year. Instead, he just has his thoughts focused on his squad's opening game in Mahopac Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

"We're more than capable of having a good season, but all we are focusing on is Mahopac," Rescigno said. "Making predictions about the season is a waste of time, you have to win the first one."

Leading Yorktown, who finished 4-4 a year ago, at the quarterback position is senior Justin Mabus (6-foot-2, 200 pounds), who completed 45 of 75 passes for 576 yards and three touchdowns in 2009.

"He has a ton of mobility and a real nice touch on the ball," Rescigno said. "He's a good option quarterback. He can put a lot on his throws as well. He's a good leader. He's a kid that's coming back with experience. Last year he came in and wowed us. I expect him to be even better than he was last year."

Running the ball for the Huskers will be senior halfbacks Ty Schuldt (5-9, 180), Alex Terry (5-9, 180), Mike Moriarty (5-9, 180) and junior halfback Gzim Lajqi (6-0, 185). These four backs will be sharing time in a three-back offense, Rescigno said.

Terry, who has game-breaking speed around the corner, can both run and catch the pigskin. He ran for 281 yards and scored four touchdowns on 41 carries while also catching 13 passes for 158 yards last season. Schuldt, who also can get around the defense in addition to going through it, rushed for 335 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries in 2009.

Moriarty comes off a 2009 campaign where he amassed 199 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.

"All our backs have speed," Rescigno said. "Raw speed is definitely something that they have. What I like right now, especially coming off last year, is that they have improved their ability to block tenfold. What we have asked them to do in the off-season they have answered, so I am thrilled about that too."

Senior Brandon Trager (5-9, 180) is expected to have a solid season at fullback according to Rescigno.

When looking downfield, Mabus will see senior split ends Brian Trainor (5-9, 180) and Dylan Ruckstuhl (6-3, 210).

"Both are sure-handed, one of them is a real nice target, Ruckstuhl, the other guy is a heady kind of kid, knows the offense in and out in Trainor who is also our free safety," Rescigno said. "He's a real smart kid, athletic as heck. He's the kind of kid that made plays last year when you least expected it. He's a gamer."

Another gamer Mabus will be able to look to is senior tight end Tyler Fahey (6-2, 210), who's reliable when it comes to getting ones hand on the ball.

The offensive line will include senior center Andrew Ricci (5-10, 200).

Senior Steve Martimucci (5-10, 200), junior Arben Lajqi (6-3, 260) and junior Eric Cooley (6-3 260) will be splitting time at the two guard positions.

Senior Dylan Rampa (6-2, 260) will man one tackle spot with junior Joe Caliccia (6-0, 250) and senior Steven Brandt (6-2, 250) sharing time at the other.

"The offensive line right now is turning out to be a strength of our team," Rescigno said. "We have pretty decent size across the board. They are kids that love working, they are off-season kids, weight-room kids. I think the sky is the limit with this group as well."

The defensive line will have Cooley at nose guard with Ricci, Arben Lajqi and Rampa being the down three for the Huskers

"I feel the same way about them as I do the offensive line," Rescigno said. "I don't question their work ethic ever. They are hard-nosed kids. They are kids I know that are going to want to grind it out. So far, so good."

Leading the linebackers will be Fahey, who will be joined at this position by Martimucci, Moriarty and junior Ruslan Cantor (6-0, 185).

"Tyler is a kid that did whatever we asked last year," Rescigno said. "He was a starting linebacker last year. He's a skilled kid. Last year he also played center because we needed him too. This year he's going to be playing tight end and linebacker. He's another guy that wants to play football at the next level. He's a stud as far as I am concerned. He's got all the tools. We'll see where the chips fall as a result of his hard work."

Playing in the defensive backfield will be Trainor at free safety, Trager at strong safety and Terry, Schuldt and Gzim Lajqi at cornerback.

"We just had a discussion as a staff about the effort of this team on our break," Rescigno said. "The work ethic is second to none, they are a coachable group of kids. I love being around them. When you have a group like this, that's where you start talking about chemistry. It's a great group of kids. I just hope they can continue to jell together."

2010 Yorktown Schedule

Sept. 11 @ Mahopac 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Gorton 6 p.m.

Sept. 24 Fox Lane 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 @ Scarsdale 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 Ossining 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 @ Mamaroneck 1:30 p.m.