2017 Ichabod Crane Riders Varsity Football Preview
The Ichabod Crane Varsity Football team enters the 2017 season coming off a 1-9 (0-7) 2016 season. It was definitely a difficult year last year, but the Riders are looking to bounce back, now with more experience. Last year ICC was very young with a lot of Sophomores, Juniors and just 5 seniors.
The Riders graduated just 5 seniors last year, lineman Mike Pozzi, Nick Schram, Dillon Drumm, Nick Funk, and linebacker/running back Brandon Gardner. Mike Pozzi will be a huge loss on the line and as a leader for this team. Pozzi was a huge leader on and off the field. Dillon Drumm’s talents will be missed on the defensive and offensive line, along with Nick Funk, and Nick Schram. Brandon Gardner’s speed and agility will be missed as well.
This year the Riders have 11 seniors, including quarterback Peyton Mavrides. This Senior group is pretty talented and has a lot of potential this year. Mavrides will have to step up, both on the field and in the locker room as a vocal leader. Another key factor for Mavrides will be his ability to stay healthy. His Sophomore year he tore his ACL, and last year (his Junior year) he broke his collarbone in a game vs Mechanicville. Nate Ringwood is another factor in this Senior group, the second-year Wideout/Cornerback could provide a key role in the offense. I think Ringwood is underrated on offense. He doesn’t make a ton of plays, but when he does they are big ones. Reece Webster will be one of the team’s running backs, coming off a broken collarbone a year ago. Josh Hall will do the kicking duties, and possibly play on the offensive line. Robbie James can provide a key role on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker. Ryan Conner will be on the offensive and defensive lines, along with Charles Hart Jr., Chris Grey, and Matthew Gardner. Adam Cole and Bray Kowalski are two big returnees for the Riders defense. Cole a defensive lineman, and Kowalski a linebacker. Both can also be vocal leaders in the locker room and leaders on the field as captains.
The Junior class has a lot of talent. 7 Juniors are on this years team. Tobi Zucco and Christian Pesano are 2 of them. Zucco is a very talented running back/ wide receiver with blazing speed and on the defensive side isn’t afraid to hit somebody. Pesano is a good wide receiver and cornerback. Coming up from JV this year is lineman JT Breen, receiver Donte Northrup, and fullback Josh Busta. Lineman Jon Munson, and Ian Quade are also on the team. Also a Junior on the team is quarterback Tyler James. James filled in for Mavrides last year until he was sidelined the final two games due to a minor knee injury.
The Sophomore class has some football talent. A lot of kids that have been playing football for a long time. Quarterback Austin Walsh returns this year, he played in two games last year filling in for Tyler James. Two more Sophomore returners are running back Marcus George, and tight end Haydon Broockman. Broockman brings back his toughness on both ends of the ball, and George brings back his speed and finesse. Coming up from JV is running back Nick Trossbach, lineman Colby Fisher, running back Jacob Slovak, and lineman Mark Sappington.
The quarterback position is a big question for the Riders. All three QB’s will be competing for the starting job. Mavrides obviously has the most experience, but James and Walsh are both young talented quarterbacks. I think that Mavrides will be the starting QB on September 2nd, but the question still remains who will be the backup?
2017 Ichabod Crane Varsity Football Schedule:
Saturday, September 2nd: @ Hudson Falls 1:30 pm
Friday, September 8th: vs Johnstown 7:00 pm
Friday, September 15th: @ Lansingburgh 7:00 pm
Friday, September 22nd: vs Hudson 7:00 pm
Friday, September 29th: @ Schalmont 7:00 pm
Friday, October 6th: vs Cobleskill-Richmondville 7:00 pm
Friday, October 13th: vs Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk 7:00 pm
My record prediction: 3-4
Wins: Hudson Falls, Johnstown, Cobleskill-Richmondville
Losses: Lansingburgh, Hudson, Schalmont, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk
