Pearl River Football Returns to Class A

The Pearl River varsity football team's optimisim, excitement and determination are evident as the coaches and players prepare for a new season back in the fold of a Section 1 Class A schedule.

Second-year head coach Jeff Michael's Pirates, featuring a bevy of experienced senior returnees eager to build upon last year’s 7-2 record in a developmental, independent league, begin play in earnest on Sept. 10 with an afternoon game at Gorton High School in Yonkers.

The bulked-up schedule, something that the coaching staff and players have embraced like a kid with a new toy, includes games with such respected Rockland County opponents as Nyack and Spring Valley, and the much-anticipated annual Little Brown Jug game against rival Nanuet at home on Oct. 15.

Even a random sampling of one male shopper at a local supermarket — a gent who attended Pearl River in the era before the reign of former football coach Mark Travaglino — brought a positive response when queried about the Pirates team this year.

“Well, I know they are good, and they have a great kicker—this kid kicks field goals 40 and 50 yards,” enthused the unidentified ShopRite shopper.

The kicker, Connor O’Sullivan, yet another senior, might not have hit one for 50 years in a game just yet, but he hit one for 41 yards last seaso. He has made several from beyond 50 yards already in practice.

Division I colleges are showing interest in O’Sullivan, who came to Pearl River only two years ago from his native Limerick, Ireland, where he kicked for a rugby team and played Irish football and soccer.

Some of the colleges that have already expressed an interest in O’Sullivan include Alabama, Buffalo, Virginia, College of Holy Cross, and Harvard.

“I hope to play in college,” O’Sullivan, whose brother Michael played one season for the Pirates before graduating.

O’Sullivan also played the line for a short period, but his specialty is the kicking game, which he brings to such a high level that it has become a “weapon,” something generally longed for but not found at the scholastic level.

 “I’m glad he chose to play football,” enthused Michael, who played at both Fordham Prep and Hamilton College. “He just kicked a 55-yarder in practice. He has a thunderous right leg. He’s what you can call the unsung hero of our program — a special teams weapon who gives us great field position.”

O’Sullivan, noting the ball is bigger in rugby, feels that playing the sport has helped him.

“It was an easy transition to make,” he said.

Teammate Connor Madigan, a senior captain who doubles up as a linebacker and running back/slot receiver, has also taken notice of O’Sullivan’s kicking prowess.

“He’s huge for us, definitely. He hits 50-yarders in practice regularly.”

A new challenge

Last season, playing in a lower-level league, the Pirates opened with a 9-2 loss to Tappan Zee, and closed with a 20-0 loss to Tappan Zee, but ran out the string in between, including a decisive 20-0 victory over Nanuet for the Little Brown Jug.

The Pirates are excited about the stiffer competition. They are infused with a sense that they are rebuilding the program.

“Last year, even if we won (the title), it’s not that big of an accomplishment,” said Madigan, a three-sport standout playing his second year of varsity football. “This year, it will be a bust if we don’t make the playoffs, for sure. It’s definitely a tougher schedule, but it’s one we can do good in. We have no fears.”

Madigan is already looking forward to meeting Nyack, Spring Valley, and Nanuet in the Brown Jug game.

 “This is a big step for our program,” Madigan continues, quickly adding, “B ut we have to show it. We have to put our money where are mouth is.”

Michael, the head coach, has ample support on the staff from Chris Woolgar (line coach), Dan O’Malley (quarterbacks), Joe Chiappa (special teams, offensive and defensive lines), and Pat Aria (defensive coordinator, wide receivers/linebackers).

“We’re looking for a lot of positives. Every game will be tough, but we can be competitive, and win a lot of them,” said Michael, a social studies teacher. “Yes, it (schedule) is tougher than last year, but how else are you going to build the program? It’s where we want to be; to continue to challenge ourselves.”

The last regular-season game perhaps poses the biggest test, with the Pirates scheduled to visit defending Class C state champion Bronxville, whose twin brother running backs — Christian and Jackson Conway — have already committed to Yale.

“We’d like to get a winning record—4-3 at least back in Section 1 competition. If not, it won’t kill us, but we want to reestablish Pearl River football in Section 1,” concluded Michael.

The offense

Michael, who is also the offensive coordinator, will utilize a “spread, short game,” led by quarterback John Brebbia, yet another senior who gained experience last season.

“He’s a very mature player, and mostly honors classes, AP,” Michael said.

Other senior contributors include fullback/linebacker Mike Brophy, wide receiver/defensive back Sean Wilson, second-team All-County lineman Mike O’Shea and linemate Andrew Cantone.

Bringing youth and talent to the squad are sophomores Rob Gullo and Kevin Considine.

“Gullo’s speed and football sense make him belong on the varsity,” Michael said. “He’ll back up Madigan; Considine is a wide receiver/outside linebacker.”

The defense

Michael will use a relatively new alignment seen in the northeast, a 3-3-5 that relies on team speed.

“We don’t have a lot of monsters, so we capitalize on our speed and quickness,” Michael said. “We’ll be flying around, and create defensive plays. It’s a challenge, but we’re up to challenges.”

Extra points

• There are 27 teams in Class A, with 14 bracketed in one “league,” and 13 in another. Not everyone in each “league” plays each other.
• In an offseason ranking of the Class A teams, Pearl River was ranked No. 14; Tappan Zee was ranked No. 15. They are not scheduled to meet in the regular season. Pearl River chose Nanuet as its rival game; Tappan Zee selected Albertus Magnus.
• Pearl River and Tappan Zee can meet in the postseason, but the chance is unlikely.
• The first of Pearl River's two pre-season scrimmages is scheduled for 4 p.m. today at Somers. Pearl River will also scrimmage at Blind Brook 10 a.m. Saturday. 

2011 schedule
Sept. 10 - at Gorton, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 - vs. Riverside, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 - at Walter Panas, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1 - home vs. Nyack, 3 p.m.
Oct. 6 - home vs. Spring Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 - home vs. Nanuet, 2 p.m.
Oct. 22 - at Bronxville, 7 p.m.