Preview: Santo, Ryan to Lead West Islip Football in 2011

Head coach: Steve Miletti

Record last year: 4-5, in the first round of the playoffs. 

Key players: QB Anthony Santo, LB Pat Ryan, DB/WR Nick Aponte, OL/DL Kevin McCorvey, RB Mike Cestaro, 

Key departures: Drew Federico, Mike Sagl, Rob Pescitelli, Rob Fregossi, Stephen Gallante

Games to watch: @ Sachem North (9/23, 7 p.m.), Bay Shore (10/1, 2 p.m.), @ Central Islip (10/6, 3:30 p.m.)

Quite a difference a year makes for the West Islip varsity football program.

Entering a season in which they’ll move up to Division I, the Lions won’t be seeing a few familiar foes on the schedule; most notably archrival East Islip. 

“Anytime you don’t see them on the schedule, you’re a little upset because it’s a great showcase to both programs and ,” head coach Steve Mileti said.  “To play football here, you gotta love football, and by no means will the kids stop playing because they don’t see East Islip every year.”

With the loss of four senior captains from last year’s team, Mileti said he’ll turn to a new group of seniors to the 2011 squad, both on offense and defense. 

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Three-year starting will return to lead a fast-paced, spread option attack.  He’ll be handing off to a multitude of tailbacks, including starter Mike Cestaro, Dan Johnson and Chris Blyski.  

Kevin McCorvey, all 6-feet-2 inches, 230 pounds of him, adds beef to the offensive line and will make holes from the center position.

“I think we’re well balanced,” Mileti said.  “We believe we have a really good defense, but I think our offense has a lot of weapons as well.”

Six starters return to the defense, including senior captains (and brothers) Pat and Jack Ryan.  , led the team with over 110 tackles in 2010 and is only 56 tackles away from breaking the school record. 

“He’s a special, special kid,” Mileti said of Pat Ryan.  “He plays offensive tackle every once in awhile and will also play some fullback for us.”

The defense will also get a full-time dosage of junior DB/WR , who's also a standout on the lacrosse team. 

“He’s one junior that you’re going to hear a lot about," Mileti said.  "We brought him up from JV at the end of last season and he was one of our top tacklers.  He’ll also play the slot for us.  Very athletic, very versatile kid."

The Lions will begin the season ranked No. 10 out of 14 DI schools.  Mileti said the team is already using that as motivation.

“They seeded us as a 10, and the kids are up for the challenge. They don’t feel they’re a 10.  “They’ve been working really hard, they’ve been using that fuel to build a fire and accept the challenge of Division I.

"The top goal is to finish off at the end, you wanna get to the LIC (Long Island Championship).   We always strive for that."