Football Sets Sights On PSAC East Title And Beyond In 2012

9/7/2012 4:02:00 PM

After being selected to finish third in the 2011 PSAC East preseason poll, the Pioneers turned heads and finished with a 6-1 conference record to tie for first place in the East division, which included an unforgettable 24-21 win during a snowstorm against a previously unbeaten Bloomsburg.  The Pioneers were the closest they have ever been to playing for a PSAC championship since joining the league in 2008.
       
This season, 15-year head coach Bryan Collins and his squad look to battle again for a league title and return to the postseason for the first time since 2005. 
 
Offense
The offense is primed with talent, including four returning all-conference players, and has the depth and experience to put points on the board.  The Pioneers know they will have to be aggressive on the field and create opportunities.
 
Quarterback
The Pioneers return with redshirt sophomore Steven Laurino (Boise, Idaho), the PSAC East Rookie of the Year, at the center position.  Laurino is described by Collins as a “student of the game” with his constant hard work and game preparation.  In his first season at the helm of the offense, Laurino established himself on the field with his ability to not only throw the ball well but also provide a good running base as he passed for 1,870 yards and rushed for 764. 
 
Sophomore Tyler Heuer (Oceanside, N.Y.) looks to gain a stronger foothold at the position. He earned a spot start last season against California (Pa.) and is awaiting a medical redshirt.
 
Freshman Matt Brennan (Sayville, N.Y.) is tall and athletic with a strong arm and will be vying for playing opportunities this season.
 
Running Back
The backfield is one of the strongest features of the 2012 squad as it returns its top three running backs in senior Thomas Beverly (Wyandanch, N.Y.) and juniors Jeff Mack (Bronx, N.Y.) and Anthony Brunetti (Bayville, N.Y.).
 
Mack delivered strong performances on the gridiron last season, rushing for a net gain of 865 yards and eight touchdowns, which earned him PSAC East Second Team honors.  He has improved in blocking and can score from any position.
 
Brunetti picked up some tough first downs for the Pioneers and accrued 324 yards and four touchdowns last season.  He is a great blocker with good hands and also has the ability to pick up tough yards inside. 
 
Beverly has been a steady performer throughout his career with the Pioneers and will look to finish it on a high note. 
 
Freshman Kareem Folkes (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who was named both the MSG Varsity and New York Post Player of the Year while playing at Lincoln, will be learning the system this year in preparation for the future. 
 
Wide Receivers
LIU Post has plenty of options with 11 wide receivers at the position, including veterans Grayson Laurino (Boise, Idaho) and Joe Botti (Holtsville, N.Y.).
 
Laurino, who was his brother's favorite target last season with a team-high 33 catches for 443 yards and three touchdowns, has flourished as both a receiver and punter on the team and Collins foresees him having a great year. 
 
Botti was injured during the first three games of 2011 but came back and led the receivers with five touchdown catches, including two against East Stroudsburg.  His height enables him to pull down almost any pass thrown his way and his great speed and hands have made him a game changer on the field.
 
Redshirt junior Kyle Hardy (Matawan, N.J.) has been a reliable receiver and was second on the team with 319 yards and three touchdowns.  He played in all 11 games last season and has developed tremendous speed. 
 
Sophomore Wes Foryoh (Staten Island, N.Y.) had an outstanding freshman campaign, as he hauled in 22 catches in eight games last season.  Senior Ryan Derham (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) made some big catches as well, including a TD completion at Bloomsburg.  Redshirt sophomore Kamron Palmer (Brooklyn, N.Y.) saw limited action in 2011 but will be a player to watch for.
 
Redshirt sophomore Chris McGrane (Lynbrook, N.Y.) and senior Matt Sheehy (North Brunswick, N.J.) are veterans of the program and will be competing for playing time.
 
The Pioneers will also have three outstanding freshmen who will look for playing opportunities this season.  Tom Hannan (Bohemia, N.Y.), Shane Hubbard (St. Albans, N.Y.) and Mike Richardson (West Babylon, N.Y.) were high school all-stars and will look to make the transition to the collegiate level.
 
Tight End
Senior Pat Fitzgerald (Asheville, N.C.) caught four passes for 47 yards last season and has the toughness to play the H-back position.  Redshirt sophomores Brendan Dorfer (Floral Park, N.Y.) and Chris Rossi (Hillsborough, N.J.) will look for starting time this season.
 
Freshman Sean Binckes (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was the top player in New York City last season and has all the makings to be the future tight end for LIU Post. 
 
Offensive Line
The graduation of PSAC All-Conference linemen John Siopa and Kevin Martin will be felt but returning seniors Chris Williams (Syosset, N.Y.), Rob Scheuerer (Farmingdale, N.Y.) and Willie Mayoral (La Habra, Calif.) can set up solid protection and leadership up front.
 
Williams and Scheuerer are two of the hardest working players on the team.    Mayoral is quick and athletic and comes into the season primed after a year playing in the system.
 
A duo of transfers from nearby Nassau Community College that includes Justin Robbins (Plainfield, N.J.), James Butler (Levittown, N.Y.) and will add valuable game experience at the line.   Robbins is best suited at the guard position.  Butler is a former defensive lineman who will switch over to offense this season. 
 
Redshirt junior John Corrigan (Stockholm, N.J.) has battled injuries during his time with the Pioneers but is looking to use his talent and provide solid protection this season.
 
Redshirt freshman Christian Neptune (Westbury, N.Y.) has gained more experience in the system and will have a reserve role.
 
Mike Sollenne (Massapequa, N.Y.), Keith Mittenzwei (Staten Island, N.Y.), Matt Carroll (Tarrytown, N.Y.) and Frank Fassman (East Patchogue, N.Y.) are four solid freshmen who will push for reps at the line.
 
Defense
The defense is the biggest question mark for the 2012 squad as the Pioneers graduated a significant number of all-stars from 2011, including ILB Billy O'Connor, DL Lou Scala, OLB Ronnie Modik, DL Kadeem Huggins, DL Andrew Jackson, and DL Abrom Shepard.  This could, however, open up more opportunities for up-and-coming players to gain notice during preseason camp.
 
Defensive Line
Sophomore David Sumter (Hollis, N.Y.) and redshirt sophomore Dan Belfiore (Glen Cove, N.Y.) are penciled in to start on the front line.  Redshirt junior Maalik McVea (Freeport, N.Y.) will move over from linebacker while redshirt freshman Brandon Cheney (Hewlett, N.Y.) will move up to defensive end.  Sophomore Joseph Thompson (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) showed promise during the spring and plays well within the system.
 
Freshmen Kevon Barnwell (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Kenny Scotland (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) and Anthony Turano (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) played for good high school programs and could also see playing time in 2012.
 
Linebackers
Junior Rob Bright (East Meadow, N.Y.) and senior Anton Rukaj (Greenburgh, N.Y.) can both provide a physical presence in the middle.  Julian Santiago (Selden, N.Y.), Chris Hercules (Lawrence, N.Y.) and Dylan Cafarella (Albertson, N.Y.) are promising freshmen who will learn the system.
 
Secondary
The secondary unit looks to be strong and can derive its success in forcing opponents to be aggressive up front.
 
Senior Antonio Powell-Fields (Hempstead, N.Y.) is the leading returner in tackles with 75 (33u, 42a) from a year ago
 
Senior Laquan James (Syracuse, N.Y.) will compete with redshirt junior Casey Biasi (Islip, N.Y.) at free safety.  Junior Chris DiIorio (Holtsville, N.Y) and freshman Mike Williams (Westbury, N.Y.) will see significant playing time at strong safety.  Freshman James Rupp (Sayville, N.Y.), who was an all-Long Island player at Sayville, will provide back up at safety.
 
Cornerback
Senior D.J. Young (Highland Mills, N.Y.) returns as the starting cornerback.  Young registered 31 tackles (24u, 7a) in 2011, including a career-high nine against American International. 
 
Senior Ciwan McCoy (North Babylon, N.Y.) and sophomore Devon Levesque (New London, N.H.) will split time at cornerback. 
 
Junior Donovan Edwards (Brooklyn, N.Y.) returns following a year playing at Nassau.  Edwards totaled 23 tackles (14u, 9a) in 2010 along with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
 
Special Teams
Freshman Tim Sternfeld (Wyckoff, N.J.) is a highly touted kicker who will handle field goal and kick off responsibilities.  Grayson Laurino returns as punter.  Foryoh will remain as the top kick and punt returner.