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By JOSEPH STASZEWSKI
Last Updated: 12:01 PM, August 26, 2012
Posted: 11:58 AM, August 26, 2012
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The Tottenville seniors have seen everything but a PSAL city championship during their careers. They made a trip to the final as freshmen and suffered two straight semifinal losses the last two seasons.
"Right now we are going behind the title unfinished business," Syracuse-bound running back Augustus Edwards said. "We came so close the last three years."
While coach Jim Munson said his team isn't declaring itself Yankee Stadium-bound in August, he hopes the season-ending defeats to Fort Hamilton and Erasmus Hall continue to motivate his players. Each year they suffered key injuries before the semifinals. Last year it was quarterback Brandon Barnes tearing his right ACL. It caused the Pirates to shuffle pieces around and become run-centric. Barnes is back healthy and ahead of schedule.
Tottenville's Brandon Barnes is back at quarterback after tearing his ACL last season.
Tottenville's (from left to right) Andre Darnt, Kevin Coughlin, Eric James, head coach Jim Munson, James Munson, Brandon Barnes, and Augustus Edwards hope the lead the Pirates to a PSAL city titile.
"That poise as well has his athletic ability really makes us a better team," Munson said.
Barnes, who is 18-2 as a starter in two years, has been brought along cautiously. It hurt him to watch his team fall in the final seconds to Erasmus. He gives the Pirates a dual threat and will have an array of returning weapons.
"Seeing us lose from the sidelines, I felt really helpless," Barnes said.
This year he will be there to help orchestrate what could be one of the city's most explosive offenses. Augustus, who will also play linebacker/defensive end, gives Tottenville arguably the best running back in the area. He has come in with 20 extra pounds of muscle, an extra inch taller and Munson said he is even faster than last season. Maliique Belfort, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver, can stretch the field and Kevin Coughlin is a blue-collar slot receiver with great hands. Andre Darnt, who can be used all over the field, is the backup running back along with Frank Russo.
"I'm planning on it being my best year," Edwards said.
They will work behind a veteran offensive line with three returnees in lone senior Paul Palieo, Alton Sterling and Scott Smith. Matt Rizzi, Brian Murphy and Ariel Amaya are all competing for the two remaining starting spots at center and guard.
Defense, an area Munson said tmight be "hurting" in, will feature a number of new faces after losing eight starters. Eric James is back at cornerback and James Munson, the coach's son, returns at free safety. Rocco Fama will move from the defensive line to linebacker. Joseph Ojo, who has and endless motor steps in at defensive end. St. Joseph by the Sea transfer Rich Lam slides in at defensive tackle and Palieo, Sterling and Rizzi will rotate at the other tackle spot. Nick Feriloi has impressed at linebacker.
"We definitely have a lot of athletes on the field," James Munson said. ... "The defensive line is quicker than we were last year.”
The PSAL realigning its league leaves its top six squads, like Tottenville, with a much harder schedule than in years past. It's a challenge the Pirates, who open with Fort Hamilton, are embracing, something they feel will only aide in their attempt at a title run.
"You would hope [the seniors] get a sense of urgency," Jim Munson said. "This is it."
jstaszewski@nypost.com
Last Updated: 12:01 PM, August 26, 2012
Posted: 11:58 AM, August 26, 2012
Share on emailShare on facebookMore Sharing ServicesMore
PrintThe Tottenville seniors have seen everything but a PSAL city championship during their careers. They made a trip to the final as freshmen and suffered two straight semifinal losses the last two seasons.
"Right now we are going behind the title unfinished business," Syracuse-bound running back Augustus Edwards said. "We came so close the last three years."
While coach Jim Munson said his team isn't declaring itself Yankee Stadium-bound in August, he hopes the season-ending defeats to Fort Hamilton and Erasmus Hall continue to motivate his players. Each year they suffered key injuries before the semifinals. Last year it was quarterback Brandon Barnes tearing his right ACL. It caused the Pirates to shuffle pieces around and become run-centric. Barnes is back healthy and ahead of schedule.
Tottenville's Brandon Barnes is back at quarterback after tearing his ACL last season.
Tottenville's (from left to right) Andre Darnt, Kevin Coughlin, Eric James, head coach Jim Munson, James Munson, Brandon Barnes, and Augustus Edwards hope the lead the Pirates to a PSAL city titile.
"That poise as well has his athletic ability really makes us a better team," Munson said.
Barnes, who is 18-2 as a starter in two years, has been brought along cautiously. It hurt him to watch his team fall in the final seconds to Erasmus. He gives the Pirates a dual threat and will have an array of returning weapons.
"Seeing us lose from the sidelines, I felt really helpless," Barnes said.
This year he will be there to help orchestrate what could be one of the city's most explosive offenses. Augustus, who will also play linebacker/defensive end, gives Tottenville arguably the best running back in the area. He has come in with 20 extra pounds of muscle, an extra inch taller and Munson said he is even faster than last season. Maliique Belfort, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver, can stretch the field and Kevin Coughlin is a blue-collar slot receiver with great hands. Andre Darnt, who can be used all over the field, is the backup running back along with Frank Russo.
"I'm planning on it being my best year," Edwards said.
They will work behind a veteran offensive line with three returnees in lone senior Paul Palieo, Alton Sterling and Scott Smith. Matt Rizzi, Brian Murphy and Ariel Amaya are all competing for the two remaining starting spots at center and guard.
Defense, an area Munson said tmight be "hurting" in, will feature a number of new faces after losing eight starters. Eric James is back at cornerback and James Munson, the coach's son, returns at free safety. Rocco Fama will move from the defensive line to linebacker. Joseph Ojo, who has and endless motor steps in at defensive end. St. Joseph by the Sea transfer Rich Lam slides in at defensive tackle and Palieo, Sterling and Rizzi will rotate at the other tackle spot. Nick Feriloi has impressed at linebacker.
"We definitely have a lot of athletes on the field," James Munson said. ... "The defensive line is quicker than we were last year.”
The PSAL realigning its league leaves its top six squads, like Tottenville, with a much harder schedule than in years past. It's a challenge the Pirates, who open with Fort Hamilton, are embracing, something they feel will only aide in their attempt at a title run.
"You would hope [the seniors] get a sense of urgency," Jim Munson said. "This is it."
jstaszewski@nypost.com
