Coach Falco: 'Next Man In'

Last week the Sachem North Varsity football team defeated Longwood 49-32 to stay unbeaten in Division 1. At 3-0, the Arrows are sitting atop first place in the standings. Tonight, they face the Northport Tigers, who defeated their sibling Sachem East team last week 20-0. And they might have to do it without their starting quarterback, Trent Crossan. We caught up with Head Coach David Falco to talk about tonight's game.

Sachem Patch: How is Trent? What's his status for [the game]?
Dave Falco: Trent is walking around fine and is listed as day to day.

SP: How is his mental state now? Things looking better for him?
DF: Yes he is fine. Just a little scare with what he has gone through the last two seasons.

SP: What did you tell your team after Trent went down in the first quarter? Whatever it was it seemed to work.
DF: We have a next man in philosophy we practice that way and we talk about everyone needs to be ready to step in and play when called upon.

SP: Despite Trent's absence your team stepped up and put up 49 points against Longwood. That has to make you very happy?
DF: Yes but we are still improving on offense and will get better as the season moves along.

SP: The defense still seems to be yielding a lot of points. Any concerns with that?
DF: Yes we are playing a lot of kids on defense to have more depth for later in the season. They are working hard and you will see improvement there as we go as well.

SP: Who are you leaning on to step up this week and lead the team on the field if Trent is down?
DF: If Trent is unable to go and we have not made that decision yet then Anthony Service will play QB and Mike O'Donnell with play in the secondary both have a lot of experience.

SP: I watched Northport play last week; they have a pretty solid front against the run. (Goal line stand against East). They also do a nice job of getting after the quarterback. What do you see about them on tape that you needed to prepare for?
DF: Very well coached. Talented kids on both sides of the ball. Run well. We have our work cut out for us this week. We will need to be mistake free to have success.

SP: 5 Keys to Victory against the Tigers:
DF:

• Turnover margin plus for us
• Better pass defense
• No kickoff returns for TD's
• Assignments perfect vs Northport's defense
• Great assignment defense vs Northport's wing-T offense