Kingston set to begin new era with new coach
Kingston looks for fresh start, new approach for Friday opener against NFA after winless ’16 season as Quentin Johnson takes over as Tigers’ head coach
This is a clean slate for Kingston High’s football program.
After going 0-9 last year, the Tigers begin anew with a new coach, a fresh approach and plenty of new faces.
“Every season is new, whether you win a state championship or you don’t win a game,” said new Kingston coach Quintin Johnson, the Tigers’ third head coach in as many years. “When we showed up here the first day, everything is brand new. Everything that happened last year is in the past.
“Whether we win three games in a row, five games in a row or we lose six games in a row, every week we restart. We click reset and we say, ‘It’s brand new everyday.’ ” Kingston opens the season 7 p.m. Friday night on the road against its longtime rival, Newburgh Free Academy.
Johnson was a Tiger alum, graduating in 2006.
“I am totally endeared and am just in love with the Kingston football program,” he said. “It meant the world to me. When I went to college, the first thing I wanted to do was come back and help give back.
“So to stand in these shoes, some of the same shoes that coach Tony Badalato filled, coach Rick Clausi filled, coach Tom Loughlin filled, coach Dave Gettleman ... The list goes on. To now add my name to that list is very humbling and a special feeling.”
After a low turnout last year — including having to forfeit a contest because of shortage of bodies — the Tigers are in a better situation with 39 on the varsity.
“Our numbers together are actually pretty good.” Johnson said. “We have plus 30 on both teams. We were light last year but, this year, we definitely got some inter-
est back up.
“We got guys coming out, filling the roster and playing well.”
There are 13 returning players: seniors Harold Calhoun Jr. (linebacker/offensive lineman), Kyle Bigando (running back/defensive back), Jeff Mayer (tight end/defensive lineman), Lester Moreau (wide receiver/defensive back), Jonathan Pacheo (fullback/ linebacker), Cody Sweeney (lineman), JaVar Tinsley (running back/linebacker), Westcott Tubbs (wide receiver/defensive back), Tyquan Watson (wide receiver/defensive back), Izayah Wells (lineman), Zach Wesolowski (wide receiver/ defensive back), Manny Wilson (wide receiver/defensive back) and Jonte Wright (fullback/lineman).
Pacheco, Tinsley and Wells are the tri-captains.
The bulk of the incoming group are underclassmen with 18 of the 26 players being juniors.
They are Matthew Amato (running back/defensive back), Collin Ford (wide receiver/defensive back/quarterback), Daivel Jackson (wide receiver/defensive back/punter), Mahki Matthews (wide receiver/defensive back), Devan Mayer (wide receiver/defensive back), Jackson Parker (wide receiver/defensive back), Carrington Parker (wide receiver/defensive back), John Perry (quarterback/ defensive back), Maurice Stansberry (defensive back/ wide receiver), Payton Tunison (fullback/lineback) and linemen Gabriel Baldizzi, Hayden Barley, Ayden Blaber, Timothy Gaton, Eddie Hillje, Devin Hines, Shaheem Johnson and Robert Medley.
Senior newcomers are defensive back/wide receiver Darius Gray and linemen Anthony Consiglio, Elijah Douglas, Daniil Teplyuk and Garrick Bryant.
The only sophomores are quarterback/defensive back Chapman Parker, lineman Christian Kuster and punter/kicker Justin Longo.
“It’s a pretty even combination of juniors and seniors. Even if guys are seniors, this is a brand new team. We haven’t played together yet,” said Johnson, who was defensive coordinator last year.
He was promoted in late May, allowing time to work with the team in the summer before practice began on Aug. 14.
“It helped me learn the kids more and it helped them learn me and the way we want to do things,” he said.
Johnson made one thing clear: every starting job was open.
“We’re evaluating everybody. I told the guys that when I first came in,” he said. “Not one position is set in stone. Everything is a competition and it will stay that way all season.
“I think in the past, we’ve gotten handcuffed into saying, ‘This guy is playing this or the other.’ We’re fortunate right now that everything’s a competition. We’re two, sometimes three deep in positions, so it’s going to be a competition.
“That’s a good problem to have.”
The Tigers scored only 69 points in 2016. The offense started to find its way by the end of the season and the defense was coming around in the second half of the campaign.
“We definitely want to build off the positives from offense last year and the positives from defense,” Johnson said. “We want that to be all sides of the football this year. As the season goes on and the game goes on, we get stronger. That’s what we’re pushing for.”
Kingston goes to Middletown next before playing its home opener Sept. 15 against Minisink Valley.
“We’re very athletic across the board. I’d say in every position we’re probably a little bigger, stronger and a little more athletic. I think that’s going to help us,” Johnson said.
“We have speed and we have size. I think our biggest challenges is going out there and putting all the pieces together.
“We’ll do it one play at a time and we’ll just try to win every day and, when it’s all said and done, we’ll see where we land.”
SCHEDULE
SEPT.: 1, at Newburgh, 7 p.m.; 8, at Middletown, 7 p.m.; 15, MINISINK VALLEY, 7 p.m.; 23, MONROE-WOODBURY, 7 p.m.; 28, at Washingtonville, 7 p.m.
OCT.: 7, PINE BUSH, 1:30 P.M.; 13, at Roosevelt, 7 p.m. Home games in CAPS.