JV Football Completes Developmental Year

Blue Devil junior varsity football coach Jim Byrnes called the team’s fall season a “developmental year.” The young squad gathered strength as the campaign progressed. Huntington lost four games by seven or less points.

Byrnes regularly reminded his players that their experiences this year were actually part of the growing pains that come from making the jump from middle school to high school football. The coach also told members of the group that “the future is incredibly bright as long as you continue to work hard and grow as students and athletes.”

Byrnes said the team as a whole worked hard and improved each week. The Blue Devils demonstrated their growth with a 48-6 win in the season finale at Copiague. Following the game, the coach reminded his players “that this is what you can be moving forward.”

Byrnes and assistant coach Kevin Thorbourne hope the experience gained in the close games will pay dividends over the long haul. “I’m hopeful the players will take all these experiences with them as they continue their careers next season,” Byrnes said.

The Blue Devil JV featured a strong core of young linemen in Nile Williams, Dylan Heller, Jordan Thorbourne, and Jean Riboul and Ethan Naima. “Our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight-ends all played well this year,” Byrnes said. “However, the team suffered a disappointing loss when Thomas Smith, a major contributor on both sides of the ball, experienced a season-ending injury. Losing Smith, who many considered the difference maker for Huntington was a rallying call, which Frank Algieri answered by stepping up and contributing as both a running back and quarterback.”

Adrian White also carried a heavy load for the running backs in the second half of the season. Tommy Kline, who joined the team midway through the season “was an incredible addition on both sides of the ball,” Byrnes said.

Huntington’s defense and special teams were consistent throughout the eight game schedule. “The defense played incredibly well as a unit,” Byrnes said. “Many players contributed in different ways, moving in and out of the mix as adversity came throughout the season. Players such as Gueniel Elysee, Ethan Lawless, Chase Northrop, Ryan DiVico, Vincent Pupillo, Banny Soc Concua, Marciano Aloe, Henry Gerberg and Justin Agyeman were all exceptional contributors who improved so much over the course of the season.”

DiVico, Henry Stein, Sean Posillico and Jack Kamenstein helped lead the Blue Devils’ special teams unit. “They were terrific on kickoffs and punting all throughout the season,” Byrnes said.

While Huntington’s small roster size hampered the team, the players on the field gave the Blue Devils their all.

“I believe if this team continues to work hard their future is very bright,” Byrnes said. “It was really a pleasure to work with these young men and watch them grow as individuals and as a team. I’m honestly looking forward to continuing to coach them and watch them grow into the athletes, students and young men that they are destined to be.”