Red Hook seeks to get back into playoffs
New head coach takes over squad with numerous players back from last season
A solid core of returning players bolster Red Hook’s postseason football chances as the Raiders prepare for their 2017 season.
Red Hook is under new management with Scott Ricketson, New Paltz’s offensive coordinator last year, taking over the varsity helm. A former Kingston coach and alum, Ricketson is surrounded by others with a Kingston resume.
Also joining the staff are Jeramie Collins, Dave Der Cola and Brett Wrixon. Collins is a former Kingston head coach. Der Cola coached at Kingston under Collins and helped Ricketson at New Paltz in 2016. Der Cola was also the head coach and Collins his defensive coordinator when Wallkill reached the state finals in 2004. Wrixon, a Kingston alum, is Red Hook’s baseball coach.
James Kravic is the one holdover for Red Hook, having moved up from the junior varsity.
One of the reasons for that move is also because the Raiders will not be fielding a jayvee squad, instead having 39 players on the varsity.
“Hopefully a couple of successful years will build that back up,” Ricketson said.
Red Hook, which had just 20 players, went 4-4 last year and earned a spot in the Section 9, Class B playoffs.
The Raiders, who open at home Saturday against Liberty, lost key players with the graduation of quarterback Nick Morrissey, Eric Decker, Connor Redmond and Nick Cahill, but has a talented group back led by seniors Tristen Schiafo, Tanner Guidi, Hunter Cole and Alex Nesel,
“We lost our starting quarterback and some key linemen, but we have people who have been training for years to step right
into those spot,” Schiafo said. “We’ll be good. We have some good talent to step into those spots. We’ll surprise some people this year.
“Our backfield is solid. Our line is solid. We have great new coaches this year.”
Other returning players are linemen Chris Lanthier, Matt Oberly, Jake Kihlmire and Liam Dietrich, wide receiver/defensive back Troy Pulver and wide receiver/linebacker Austin Rowland.
“I think we have a lot of talent and a strong line that’s going to get us in the end zone and get us stops
up front,” said Guidi, who will be a safety, wide receiver, kicker and backup quarterback.
Sophomore newcomer Dylan Bayliss is likely to be the starting quarterback. Nesel and Schiafo will be in the backfield with Cole providing a big (6-foot-4) target on the outside.
“We’re not really lacking at any one spot. I think we’re even across the board,” Ricketson said. “That’s what is going to make us dangerous offensively.”
This Red Hook unit will have a different look.
“We’ll run the powerspread offense that we
ran last year at New Paltz. That’s what we’re going to hang our hat on,” Ricketson revealed. “We’re going to be able to throw the ball, run the ball and mix it up offensively.
“I would say it’s a completely different system offensively and defensively than what (Red Hook) ran last year and in years previous,” said Ricketson, who was hired in June.
“I keep saying we have to catch up to the learning curve, because we’re so far behind just with installing stuff. The kids have picked it up pretty quick, and I’m happy where we’re at for the amount of time that
we’ve had.”
Red Hook’s defense is tough up the middle, anchored by Nesel and Schiafo at linebacker.
“We can contend, for sure,” said Schiafo, who noted that this will be his 11th season on the Raider field. He started tackle football back in second grade.
“We can definitely put up and fight and win some good games, hopefully win a section title,” he said.
SCHEDULE SEPT.: 2, LIBERTY, 1:30 p.m.; 9, at O’Neill, 6:30 p.m.; 15, HIGHLAND, 7 p.m.; 23, at Spackenkill, 7 p.m.; 28, at New Paltz, 6:30 p.m. OCT.: 6, at Marlboro, 7 p.m.; 14, RONDOUT, 1:30 p.m.