Red Hook seeks rebound this season
Raiders’ sights set on postseason berth in Section 9, Class B
Injuries spoiled Red Hook High’s football hopes in 2015, but the Raiders are hopeful this new season could benefit from that struggle.
“In our home opener (versus Goshen), we lost four starters, including three quarterbacks,” noted Red Hook coach Bill Stutz, whose team tunes up Saturday with a multi-scrimmage at James I. O’Neill.
The Raiders finished 3-6 last year, losing four of their last five games including a critical contest to Rondout Valley that would have given them a Section 9, Class B playoff berth.
“We never really climbed out of it,” Stutz said about the early injuries which led to a “sandlot” approach to the offense. “It definitely wasn’t what we were going in thinking we would be.”
“Last year the injuries really killed us,” said senior Nick Morrissey, one of those injured passers. He missed two games with a torn meniscus and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in one knee, but came back to scramble for 116 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Highland.
“I pushed it,” he admitted. “I wasn’t missing Homecoming.”
Red Hook, which opens the season at home Sept. 3 against Chester, benefited from the injuries because it led to the call-up — and emergence — of then-sophomores Tristen Schiafo (running back/linebacker) and Tanner Guidi (receiver, defensive back).
“Tristen really shined as a sophomore and he’s now taken a role on the team almost as if he was a senior,” Stutz said. “He’s somebody that kids listen to and respect, because he’s a great football player.
“We had to make the moves because we were under the gun, but it only strengthens us for this season.” Red Hook faces what is becoming a norm for most teams — low turnout. The Raiders will have a 28-man roster, which Stutz said is “six to 10 less than normal. “I don’t think it’s going to affect us negatively at all,” he said. “What’s nice now is we had a real strong offseason. We came in physically strong.”
Morrissey, who shows no signs of last season’s injury, is back to start at QB.
Schiafo will be in the backfield, along with junior newcomer Alex Nesel. Senior Jacob Kelly has come over from the soccer team to provide depth.
“We got a lot of height and we have quite a few interchangeable receivers,” Stutz explained. “I got two receivers over 6-foot-2 for the outside which should give us a lot of ability to throw the ball up if we had to. We got a pack of smaller guys playing that tweener position at slot receiver who can run the ball and catch it,
“This offense is a triple option and, in a perfect world, your number one running back is your quarterback. It’s a lot of spread’em out, run the ball.
“We have a great running back as a quarterback and a great running back behind him. So, hopefully, that means we can run any direction that we want. Key again will be the linemen. Do we have the line to take us?
“That’s our big question every year.”
Stutz feels the line will be solid with it anchored by returning seniors Evan Insogna, Peter Daleo and Stephen Sowinski.
“We have a whole bunch of younger guys. I need a couple of them to step up and take a spot,” Stutz remarked. “Hopefully the scrimmage tells us the story.” “We’re looking good and looking fast. We’ve put in the work. We have a really good team bond. We’re really close,” Morrissey said. “We have a team chemistry where, even after 2-a-day (practices), some of us were right back in the weight room, working out.
“In my opinion, we’re getting the job done.”
The experienced linebacking crew of senior Connor Redmond, Nesel and Schiafo key the Raider defense. Junior Matt Oberly and junior Michael Fitzpatrick, who moved from Russia last year and was a standout wrestler, could strengthen the middle of the defense.
The tall receivers will be utilized in the secondary.
“I have a solid player at every position. It’s staying healthy and lasting the four quarters,” said Stutz, whose team came so close to making the sectionals last year. Class B has expanded its playoff field from four to six, giving the Raiders greater opportunity of making the postseason. “We believe that we should be in the thick of it,” Stutz said. “Obviously, that’s our goal.”
SCHEDULE Sept. — 3, CHESTER, 1:30 p.m.; 9, at Highland, 7 p.m.; 16, vs. Rondout at Dietz Stadium, 7 p.m.; 24, MARLBORO, 1:30 p.m. Oct. — 1, GOSHEN, 7 p.m.; 8, at Saugerties, 1:30 p.m.; 15, NEW PALTZ, 1:30 p.m.