Can you build a national contender primarily from NYS & the Northeast? | Syracusefan.com

Can you build a national contender primarily from NYS & the Northeast?

Orangeyes

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It's for sure back in 1987 you could!

The 1987 team was our most recent great football team, it went 11-0-1, finished ranked 4th in the nation after starting the season unranked.

The 2003 SU basketball team also started out their National Championship season unranked. However, because of the playoff system for basketball those Orangemen were able to prove that they were the best in the ring of competition.

Here's a look at that 1987 roster starting off with players from the Empire State.

Not even sure if sure if they ranked players back then?

I counted 38 New York State Players on that roster

Here they are, some with links to interesting articles or tidbits

Kevin Bauer Holbrook, NY

Byron Abraham Utica, NY

Blake Bednarz Blasdell, NY

Mike Bernard Williamstown, NY

Alban Brown Laurelton, NY

Rob Burnett Coram, NY

John Carey Canandaigua, NY

Roger Carges Rochester, NY

Andrew Dees Babylon, NY

John Dominic Rome, NY

Terrance Dougherty Owego, NY

Robert Drummond Dewitt, NY

Henry Flournoy Liverpool, NY

Keith Friberg Staten Island NY

John Garrett New Hyde Park, NY

Toby Given Albany, NY

Deval Glover Troy, NY

Ted Gregory East Islip NY

Mike Hayes West Islip, NY

Christopher Ingram Syracuse NY

Daryl Johnston Youngstown, NY

Albert Jones ILB Essex, NY

Todd Kasmer Baldwinsville, NY

Brian LaBaron Corning, NY

Pat Kelly Webster, NY

Duane Kinnon Brooklyn, NY

Don McPherson West Hemstead, NY

Tony Montemorra Peru, NY

Rob Moore Hemstead, NY

John Nilsen Statan Island, NY

Pat O' Rourke Apalachin, NY

Nate Reis Kingston, NY

Billy Scharr Canandaigua, NY

Warren Stith Hempstead, NY

Claus Stuhlweissenburg Tappan, NY

Mark Swinson Bay Shore, NY

Tim Vesling Pittsford NY

Chris Weisenburger Flushing, NY

Two coaches were from New York too

Jeff Stoutland NY, NY grad assistant

Bob Casullo Little Falls NY

The rest of the roster, 57 more players in all, includes many from Connecticut (12), New Jersey(9), Pennsylvania(14), Mass(5), New Hampshire(1)

Those first two areas we had always been strong in until the emergence of RU & Uconn.

That's 79 players from the Northeast and one from Canada!!

Sidney Armour Red Bank, NJ

Kevin Barker Hilton Nead, SC

Chris Barnes Middletown, NJ

Eric Baumgardner Willow Station, PA

David Bavaro Danvers Mass

Dan Bokel Erie, PA

Dan Bucey Mentor, OH

Jeff Buskirk Whitehall, Pa.

Dan Capachine E. Bridgewater, MA

Chris Chavers Ambridge, PA

Frank Conover Freehold, NJ

Pat Davis Trenton, NJ

Fred DeRiggi Scranton, PA

Dan Erickson Mechanicsburg, PA

Brian Fetherolf Whitehall, PA

John Flannery Pottsville Pa

Paul Frase Barrington, NH

Bobby Fuller Clearwater FL

Cooper Gardiner West Haven, CT

Jim Gaughan Scranton PA

Kevin D Greene Philadelphia, Pa

Kevin L Greene Simi Valley Ca

Alain Greer Van Nuys, CA

Ken Hawkins Massillon, OH

Rush Hodgin Pittsburgh, PA

David Holmes Burlington, New Jersey

Rodney Johnson Midland, Tx

Darrell Jones Somerset, NJ

Tommy Kane Montreal, Canada

Duane Lapiniski Wilkes-Barre, PA

Jeff Mangram Brunswick, Ga

Tony Martin Lauderhill, Fl

Mike McCarter Paxson, MA

Gary McCummings Denver, CO

Mark McDonald Klein, Tx

Veryl Miller Ft Lauderdale, FL

Michael Owens Carlisle Pa

Chris Parks Walnut, CA

Markus Paul Kissimmee, Fl

Mike Pergolizzi Little Ferry, NJ

William Pennyfeather Perth Amboy , NJ

Todd Philcox Norwalk, Ct

Tony Rielio Bricktown, NJ

Tim Sandqust South Windsor, CT

David Sapienza Peabody, Mass

Turnell Sims Cleveland, OH

KC Sirowich Seymour, CT

Jeff Stanizewski Perth Amboy , NJ

Craig Stoeppel Danbury, CT

Tony Taylor Miami, FL

Robert Thompson Southington, CT

Greg Walker Williamsport, Pa

Derek Ward Waterbury , CT

*James Wentworth Woburn, MA

Sean Whiteman Clearwater, Fl Article

Terrence Wooden Hartford, CT

Chris Zyck Hartford, CT

*DL Jim Wentworth famous for stepping on all east tackle Craig Stoeppel's leg & putting him out for the season in the final preseason scrimmage for the 1988 season

19 guys on that roster were drafted into the NFL

12 more were signed as free agents

5 eventually played in Super Bowls

2 became pro bowlers
 
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Wow, thanks for that. It just doesn't seem like that long ago, but I guess a lot can change in 25 years. It seems mindboggling that an elite or near-elite team could have that kind of profile just looking at home towns.
 
Interesting post, but I was hoping to see people trying to put together a championship caliber lineup using currently-eligible players from NY and adjacent areas (would obviously have to pull players from various teams).
 
The internet has changed everything. Being "in" with all of the coaches within a 400 mile radius was huge, especially along 90. Without cell phones, internet databases, youtube, facebook, etc., a lot of these kids probably either went under the radar or Syracuse didn't have a choice. So crazy what recruiting has morphed into.
 
NYS has fallen way behind the curve. By the time NYS HS kids graduate they are a year behind in development compared to other states (even CT).

The other thing is that kids go anywhere in the country for college now. Back in the day it was not so much the case.
 
Wow, thanks for that. It just doesn't seem like that long ago, but I guess a lot can change in 25 years. It seems mindboggling that an elite or near-elite team could have that kind of profile just looking at home towns.
Off topic but good luck to the 'Noles tonight.
 
It's funny, some of those names I haven't heard since '87 but reading them I remember a lot of them. Nice post.
 
NYS has fallen way behind the curve. By the time NYS HS kids graduate they are a year behind in development compared to other states (even CT).

The other thing is that kids go anywhere in the country for college now. Back in the day it was not so much the case.
Agreed, that's why I think we need to try to get the best of New York State and recruit heavily in other states especially Florida and Ohio. Also I think we need to go back and cultivate New Jersey. Hopefully with Charlie Strong out of Louisville it'll open up some roads for us I hope.
 
Wow, thanks for that. It just doesn't seem like that long ago, but I guess a lot can change in 25 years. It seems mindboggling that an elite or near-elite team could have that kind of profile just looking at home towns.
Good luck Florida State!
 
Sure a team consisting of all Northeastern players could compete.

All we need is a system of speed handicapping in which those gazelles from Florida and Louisiana and Texas would have to carry lead weights like race horses do.

Three yards and a cloud of dust football is long gone. Watch the pure speed and athleticism on the field tonight.
 
Demographics have changed way too much, those kids were born in the mid 1960s when life was a lot different there.
 
It's for sure back in 1987 you could!

The 1987 team was our most recent great football team, it went 11-0-1, finished ranked 4th in the nation after starting the season unranked.

The 2003 SU basketball team also started out their National Championship season unranked. However, because of the playoff system for basketball those Orangemen were able to prove that they were the best in the ring of competition.

Here's a look at that 1987 roster starting off with players from the Empire State.

Not even sure if sure if they ranked players back then?

I counted 37 New York State Players on that roster

Here they are, some with links to interesting articles or tidbits

Kevin Bauer Holbrook, NY

Byron Abraham Utica, NY

Blake Bednarz Blasdell, NY

Mike Bernard Williamstown, NY

Alban Brown Laurelton, NY

Rob Burnett Coram, NY

John Carey Canandaigua, NY

Roger Carges Rochester, NY

Andrew Dees Babylon, NY

John Dominic Rome, NY

Terrance Dougherty Owego, NY

Robert Drummond Dewitt, NY

Henry Flournoy Liverpool, NY

John Garrett New Hyde Park, NY

Toby Given Albany, NY

Deval Glover Troy, NY

Ted Gregory East Islip NY

Mike Hayes West Islip, NY

Christopher Ingram Syracuse NY

Daryl Johnston Youngstown, NY

Albert Jones ILB Ess e x , NY

Todd Kasmer Baldwinsville, NY

Brian LaBaron Corning, NY

Pat Kelly Webster, NY

Duane Kinnon Brooklyn, NY

Don McPherson West Hemstead, NY

Tony Montemorra Peru, NY

Rob Moore Hemstead, NY

John Nilsen Statan Island, NY

Pat O' Rourke Apalachin, NY

Nate Reis Kingston, NY

Billy Scharr Canandaigua, NY

Warren Stith Hempstead, NY

Claus Stuhlweissenburg Tappan, NY

Mark Swinson Bay Shore, NY

Tim Vesling Pittsford NY

Chris Weisenburger Flushing, NY

Two coaches were from New York too

Jeff Stoutland NY, NY grad assistant

Bob Casullo Little Falls NY

The rest of the roster, 57 more players in all, includes many from Connecticut (12), New Jersey(9), Pennsylvania(14), Mass(5), New Hampshire(1)

Those first two areas we had always been strong in until the emergence of RU & Uconn.

That's 78 players from the Northeast and one from Canada!!

Sidney Armour Red Bank, NJ

Kevin Barker Hilton Nead, SC

Chris Barnes Middletown, NJ

Eric Baumgardner Willow Station, PA

David Bavaro Danvers Mass

Dan Bokel Erie, PA

Dan Bucey Mentor, OH

Jeff Buskirk Whitehall, Pa.

Dan Capachine E. Bridgewater, MA

Chris Chavers Ambridge, PA

Frank Conover Freehold, NJ

Pat Davis Trenton, NJ

Fred DeRiggi Scranton, PA

Dan Erickson Mechanicsburg, PA

Brian Fetherolf Whitehall, PA

John Flannery Pottsville Pa

Paul Frase Barrington, NH

Bobby Fuller Clearwater FL

Cooper Gardiner West Haven, CT

Jim Gaughan Scranton PA

Kevin D Greene Philadelphia, Pa

Kevin L Greene Simi Valley Ca

Alain Greer Van Nuys, CA

Ken Hawkins Massillon, OH

Rush Hodgin Pittsburgh, PA

David Holmes Burlington, New Jersey

Rodney Johnson Midland, Tx

Darrell Jones Somerset, NJ

Tommy Kane Montreal, Canada

Duane Lapiniski Wilkes-Barre, PA

Jeff Mangram Brunswick, Ga

Tony Martin Lauderhill, Fl

Mike McCarter Paxson, MA

Gary McCummings Denver, CO

Mark McDonald Klein, Tx

Veryl Miller Ft Lauderdale, FL

Michael Owens Carlisle Pa

Chris Parks Walnut, CA

Markus Paul Kissimmee, Fl

Mike Pergolizzi Little Ferry, NJ

William Pennyfeather Perth Amboy , NJ

Todd Philcox Norwalk, Ct

Tony Rielio Bricktown, NJ

Tim Sandqust South Windsor, CT

David Sapienza Peabody, Mass

Turnell Sims Cleveland, OH

KC Sirowich Seymour, CT

Jeff Stanizewski Perth Amboy , NJ

Craig Stoeppel Danbury, CT

Tony Taylor Miami, FL

Robert Thompson Southington, CT

Greg Walker Williamsport, Pa

Derek Ward Waterbury , CT

*James Wentworth Woburn, MA

Sean Whiteman Clearwater, Fl Article

Terrence Wooden Hartford, CT

Chris Zyck Hartford, CT

*DL Jim Wentworth famous for stepping on all east tackle Craig Stoeppel's leg & putting him out for the season in the final preseason scrimmage for the 1988 season

19 guys on that roster were drafted into the NFL

12 more were signed as free agents

5 eventually played in Super Bowls

2 became pro bowlers
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Dougherty Owego NY not Oswego

Only 5 Players from Oswego County have played for SU since 1970 Mike Bernard APW,

Tim Trepasso Fulton and another recently ,Bruce Babcock Mexico, One from Pulaski (Recently)
 
Last edited:
Dougherty Owego NY not Oswego

Only 5 Players from Oswego County have played for SU since 1970 Mike Bernard APW,

Tim Trepasso Fulton and another recently ,Bruce Babcock Mexico, One from Pulaski (Recently)

I think Pulaski was Ian Allport correct?
 
I think Pulaski was Ian Allport correct?

Correct. Aside from Allport, has anyone from Oswego County played D-1 ball in the last 7 or 8 years?

Central Square sent two guys to 1A schools in 2005 (Stehle played DT at Wisconsin, Brown played DB at Pitt.)
 
Dougherty Owego NY not Oswego

Only 5 Players from Oswego County have played for SU since 1970 Mike Bernard APW,

Tim Trepasso Fulton and another recently ,Bruce Babcock Mexico, One from Pulaski (Recently)

Andy Phillips, Phoenix (CBA)
 
Syracuse and Buffalo playing in the FBS and Albany and Stony Brook in the CAA maybe a new era of football will arrive in NYS, if only the high school authorities would let it develop . There are a lot of scholarships being lost to out of state players, which is a shame.
 
It's for sure back in 1987 you could!

The 1987 team was our most recent great football team, it went 11-0-1, finished ranked 4th in the nation after starting the season unranked.

The 2003 SU basketball team also started out their National Championship season unranked. However, because of the playoff system for basketball those Orangemen were able to prove that they were the best in the ring of competition.

Here's a look at that 1987 roster starting off with players from the Empire State.

Not even sure if sure if they ranked players back then?

I counted 37 New York State Players on that roster

Here they are, some with links to interesting articles or tidbits

Kevin Bauer Holbrook, NY

Byron Abraham Utica, NY

Blake Bednarz Blasdell, NY

Mike Bernard Williamstown, NY

Alban Brown Laurelton, NY

Rob Burnett Coram, NY

John Carey Canandaigua, NY

Roger Carges Rochester, NY

Andrew Dees Babylon, NY

John Dominic Rome, NY

Terrance Dougherty Owego, NY

Robert Drummond Dewitt, NY

Henry Flournoy Liverpool, NY

John Garrett New Hyde Park, NY

Toby Given Albany, NY

Deval Glover Troy, NY

Ted Gregory East Islip NY

Mike Hayes West Islip, NY

Christopher Ingram Syracuse NY

Daryl Johnston Youngstown, NY

Albert Jones ILB Ess e x , NY

Todd Kasmer Baldwinsville, NY

Brian LaBaron Corning, NY

Pat Kelly Webster, NY

Duane Kinnon Brooklyn, NY

Don McPherson West Hemstead, NY

Tony Montemorra Peru, NY

Rob Moore Hemstead, NY

John Nilsen Statan Island, NY

Pat O' Rourke Apalachin, NY

Nate Reis Kingston, NY

Billy Scharr Canandaigua, NY

Warren Stith Hempstead, NY

Claus Stuhlweissenburg Tappan, NY

Mark Swinson Bay Shore, NY

Tim Vesling Pittsford NY

Chris Weisenburger Flushing, NY

Two coaches were from New York too

Jeff Stoutland NY, NY grad assistant

Bob Casullo Little Falls NY

The rest of the roster, 57 more players in all, includes many from Connecticut (12), New Jersey(9), Pennsylvania(14), Mass(5), New Hampshire(1)

Those first two areas we had always been strong in until the emergence of RU & Uconn.

That's 78 players from the Northeast and one from Canada!!

Sidney Armour Red Bank, NJ

Kevin Barker Hilton Nead, SC

Chris Barnes Middletown, NJ

Eric Baumgardner Willow Station, PA

David Bavaro Danvers Mass

Dan Bokel Erie, PA

Dan Bucey Mentor, OH

Jeff Buskirk Whitehall, Pa.

Dan Capachine E. Bridgewater, MA

Chris Chavers Ambridge, PA

Frank Conover Freehold, NJ

Pat Davis Trenton, NJ

Fred DeRiggi Scranton, PA

Dan Erickson Mechanicsburg, PA

Brian Fetherolf Whitehall, PA

John Flannery Pottsville Pa

Paul Frase Barrington, NH

Bobby Fuller Clearwater FL

Cooper Gardiner West Haven, CT

Jim Gaughan Scranton PA

Kevin D Greene Philadelphia, Pa

Kevin L Greene Simi Valley Ca

Alain Greer Van Nuys, CA

Ken Hawkins Massillon, OH

Rush Hodgin Pittsburgh, PA

David Holmes Burlington, New Jersey

Rodney Johnson Midland, Tx

Darrell Jones Somerset, NJ

Tommy Kane Montreal, Canada

Duane Lapiniski Wilkes-Barre, PA

Jeff Mangram Brunswick, Ga

Tony Martin Lauderhill, Fl

Mike McCarter Paxson, MA

Gary McCummings Denver, CO

Mark McDonald Klein, Tx

Veryl Miller Ft Lauderdale, FL

Michael Owens Carlisle Pa

Chris Parks Walnut, CA

Markus Paul Kissimmee, Fl

Mike Pergolizzi Little Ferry, NJ

William Pennyfeather Perth Amboy , NJ

Todd Philcox Norwalk, Ct

Tony Rielio Bricktown, NJ

Tim Sandqust South Windsor, CT

David Sapienza Peabody, Mass

Turnell Sims Cleveland, OH

KC Sirowich Seymour, CT

Jeff Stanizewski Perth Amboy , NJ

Craig Stoeppel Danbury, CT

Tony Taylor Miami, FL

Robert Thompson Southington, CT

Greg Walker Williamsport, Pa

Derek Ward Waterbury , CT

*James Wentworth Woburn, MA

Sean Whiteman Clearwater, Fl Article

Terrence Wooden Hartford, CT

Chris Zyck Hartford, CT

*DL Jim Wentworth famous for stepping on all east tackle Craig Stoeppel's leg & putting him out for the season in the final preseason scrimmage for the 1988 season

19 guys on that roster were drafted into the NFL

12 more were signed as free agents

5 eventually played in Super Bowls

2 became pro bowlers
i think the difference now is the offenses southern high school coaches are more advanced than northeastern. and the QBs and WR down there are way ahead from all the year round practice. back when southern teams were less innovative on offense, the northeast was less at a disadvantage. that's interesting though, thanks for that.
 
i think the difference now is the offenses southern high school coaches are more advanced than northeastern. and the QBs and WR down there are way ahead from all the year round practice. back when southern teams were less innovative on offense, the northeast was less at a disadvantage. that's interesting though, thanks for that.
Why doesn't the state build blow up mini domes all over the place to give the youth something to do instead of street crime. 7 on 7 football in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo...everywhere.
 

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