Backfield Bears

BREWSTER – Like many teams, the Brewster High football team was forced to deal with a number of injuries last season – injuries that kept the Bears from seeing what they were capable of at full strength.

Tyler Hanson This season’s team returns relatively healthy, and with a few problems. But they’re good problems. Like two quality players competing for the quarterback position, and how to utilize three strong running backs.

Those are the kind of problems coaches like to have.

Here’s a look at this year’s Bears squad.

TEAM – Brewster Bears football

COACH – Don Polverari, third season

LAST YEAR’S RECORD/FINISH – Brewster went 5-4, won a League ANorth championship, lost to Yorktown in the first round of the playoffs, then lost to Fox Lane in a bowl game.

WHAT’S EXCITING ABOUT THIS TEAM? – Brewster lost All-Section QB Billy Thomas, and All-League picks Everett Parks, Drew Bottge, TJ McDermott, Mike Bieglecki, and Eric Hayes, but Polverari like what he returns.

Joe Rubino “We lost some skill kids,” he said, “but we have some kids ready to step up. How our offensive line goes is how our team will go. Several of them played last year, so if we can stay healthy we have a set of running backs who are as good as anyone in the league. We also have two guys battling for the quarterback spot. Competition is good… no one takes his job for granted, and they push each other, help each other. The potential is there for a nice season.”

RETURNING STARTERS – Joe Rubino (12, captain, All-League, RB/ LB), Tyler Hanson (12, captain, RB/ LB), Dan Santiago (12, captain, All- Section HM, D, O line), MJ Garrity (12, captain, QB/LB), Steve Greene (12, All-Section), DT/ O line), Neil Lauri (12, O, D line), Evan Kaschura (12, O, D line), Steve Nardini (12, O, D line), Greg Hodge (11, DB/Fl), Trevor Smith (11, DB/Fl), James Schoenig (12, D line/TE), Vin Serrecchia (11, Fl/LB), Stu Meissner (12, LB/O line)

Steve Greene NOTEABLE RETURNING PLAYERS – Julian Zuluaga (12, Fl/LB), Mike Bonilla (10, D, O line)

NOTEABLE NEW PLAYERS - Colin Callahan (10, TE/LB), Adam Tavollila (10, QB/DB), Andrew Sniffen (11, DE/TE), Bryan Witt (11, OG), Tom Ritchey (11, FB/LB), Kamal Johnson (10, DB/TB), Adriel Barnes (11, QB/ LB)

At QB, Garrity, last year’s backup, has an edge – and is expected to start Friday’s game - due to his experience. “The competition has been close,” Polverari said. “MJ’s experience, from being in the system, gives him a slight edge. But both are taking snaps, and both can do the job. We need MJ to be a leader and keep a level head.”

Rubino, Hanson, and Smith could give Brewster a potent blend out of the backfield. “We have a nice problem,” Polverari said. “With a bruising back like Joe, a back like Tyler – a lot of strength and deceptive quickness - and Smith, who is extremely elusive and has good speed, and is tough to tackle. We will use all three, and I’m pretty excited to see them together.”

Polverari added that Smith and Hanson could also be targets in the air for Garrity, along with Callahan. “They all have good hands,” the coach said.

Defensively, the Bears are strong up the middle. “Santiago and Greene were All-Section as juniors,” Polverari said. “And we have Stu and Joe at linebacker.

There are some holes… and we’re looking for guys to step up. Our secondary is real young, but extremely athletic, and we have some speed back there. The potential is there for a real solid defense.”

LEAGUE – A-North includes Brewster, Fox Lane, Byram Hills, Beacon, Poughkeepsie, and Greeley

OUTLOOK – “We feel we’ve worked hard enough to defend our league title,” the coach said. “We’re excited about that. Beyond that, we feel we can be as good – or better – than last year. The key for us is we need to be successful running the ball, and we need to stop the run.”

Brewster opens the 2009 season Friday, hosting Beacon at 7pm.