Island Trees Football Team Remains Positive Despite Season-Opening Loss

After going 2-6 and dropping four games by a touchdown or less last season, the Island Trees football team has eyes on an improved 2012 campaign that ends with playoff action come November.

The Bulldogs did not start 2012 the way they would have liked, falling at neighborhood rival Seaford 41-0 Friday night, but despite the blowout loss, fifth-year head coach Michael Bonsignore said the team’s attitude remains positive.

“We have a tough scheduled as a seven seed with games against Malverne, West Hempstead and Roosevelt but this attitude on the team is a positive attitude,” said Coach Bonsignore of his squad that features many junior starters. “They are a no quit bunch of guys.”

Island Trees is led by its co-captains, starting quarterback Ryan Carroll and tackle Tom Sinclair. Bonsignore said Carroll and Sinclair did an excellent job leading the team in summer workouts and captain practices and he hopes to see that team chemistry carried over to the field.

“The team really came together this summer and now we just have to get over that hump,” he said. “We have to learn how to win.”

Bonsignore said the one word stressed in Friday night’s post-game discussion was “forget” as the Bulldogs now focus on its remaining seven games starting this Friday night at home against Malverne.

“We have seven more games to go and things can easily be turned around,” he said. “We have a week to prepare for Malverne, our first home game, and we’re going to go after it.”

Kickoff for Friday night’s Island Trees home opener against Malverne is scheduled for 7 p.m.