Experienced Indians Look to Regain Swagger

MAHOPAC—After going 5-4 last season and missing the playoffs, the Mahopac High School football team comes into the 2010 season with a senior laden squad that has a lot of experience.

Right: Dillon Addonizio. Photo by SKIP PEARLMAN. That will be especially true on the defensive side of the ball, where every one of Mahopac's starters will be seniors.

The large number of seniors means that there are plenty of leaders on the team who are willing to help the younger players. It also means that there are players with a lot of experience on the field.

"We had a large junior class last year, coach Tom Donahoe said. "It is players that know our system. They play together very well."

Two of the key losses from last year's team for the Indians are offensive/ defensive linemen Mike Brereton and Rob Dwyer. Brereton is now playing for Marist while Dwyer is taking the field for Gettysburg College.

CW from far right: TJ Foley • Ryan Wagner • Mahopac hopes to be celebrating at the end of the 2010 season. Photos by SKIP PEARLMAN. Each of Mahopac's captains are seniors. They are fullback/outside linebacker Dillon Addonizio, offensive tackle/defensive tackle Connor Daniel, offensive guard/inside linebacker Victor DiFusco and halfback/defensive back Frankie Langella.

The returning starters for the Indians are seniors quarterback/defensive back T.J. Foley, split end/ defensive back Ryan Hill, split end/outside linebacker Ryan Wagner, split end/defensive back James Lenahan, halfback/inside linebacker Tom Viento, Addonizio, Daniel, DiFusco and Langella.

Other players returning to the fold for Mahopac include senior offensive tackle/defensive tackle Mike Desandre, senior offensive guard/defensive tackle Jake Raff, senior offensive guard/defensive tackle Nick Puoplo and senior offensive tackle/outside linebacker Conner Bronner.

Although the Indians do have some newcomers, Donahoe said it would take a few games to determine which ones would be key contributors.

Despite having so many seniors, depth will be a bit of an issue for the Indians, who have 35 players on the roster. That is less than last season. Because of that, keeping his team healthy is important to Donahoe.

The importance of limiting injuries to his team was obvious when Donahoe was asked how his team performed in a scrimmage against White Plains, North Rockland, Nyack and Harrison. Donahoe stressed the importance of the fact that none of his players got hurt. "Most importantly, we came through healthy," he said.

The Mahopac defense is one that will rely on speed and athleticism. The offense, which has most of its experience at the running back and receiver positions, will look to pass the ball more than it did last season.

The Indians are members of League AA North, which also includes Carmel, Arlington John Jay East Fishkill and Roy C. Ketcham, and is usually tough every year.

Although the game against rival Carmel garners a lot of attention every year and is usually a tough battle, the other league games are no walk in the park.

"It is a very difficult game every week," Donahoe said. "Any of the five teams could win the league. The other teams are all very good. It is really a week to week thing."

The only goal that Donahoe has for his team is to improve with every game. "We want to get better each game," he said.

The Indians open up the season at home on Saturday against Yorktown at 7 p.m. Donahoe believes that the Huskers will be a good test for his team on opening night. "They are a very strong crossover game for us," he said.