Gael s Hoping To Find Consistency on Gridiron

SOMERS—With most of last year’s starters gone, the Kennedy Catholic football team is going to look to a new group of players to build off of last year’s 5-3 record, which included a loss in the sectional semifinals to Nanuet.

Noah Gitta was named All-League Honorable Mention last year, and returns to this year’s team along with Dan Girolamo, Tom Angelilli and Sam Limata as the only carryovers from last year’s starting lineup. With the lack of experience, it’s not surprising that the team has had some up and downs in the offseason.

“So far they’ve been somewhat inconsistent,” coach Rob Schwartz said. “We’ve had some good scrimmages and some bad ones, I’m hoping they put it all together by our first game. We have the talent and the skill, we scrimmaged Carmel and John Jay and played well. The athleticism is there, it’s just a matter of them playing up or down to our opponents.”

Tim Kazinduka, Ian DaCosta and Zach Furman all saw some playing time last year and will see their roles increased this year, with Furman expecting to step up as one the team’s top receivers and cornerbacks.

Sophomore Rob Yurkowski is new to the team this year and will see time at wingback and cornerback.

“He’s one of the JV guys that’s going to make an impact this year,” Schwartz said. “Him and Kazinduka, they’re gonna be our work horses, we’re going to run the ball a lot.”

The Gaels are part of League B-2 with Edgemont, Pleasantville, Croton- Harmon and Briarcliff.

“We open up very difficult with Pleasantville and Croton,” Schwartz said. “If we can get by those first two games, I think we can make a nice little playoff run at the end of the season.”

The Gaels will open their season Saturday, September 11, at Pleasantville at 11:30 a.m.