(Photo by Steve Toscano)
As Mineola High School varsity football head coach, Dan Guido is no stranger to seniors moving on after each season. But in 2015, he’ll see the most turnover on the Mustangs in his near three decades walking the sideline.
Mineola lost 19 players after they failed to beat the Roosevelt Rough Riders in the Nassau County Conference IV finals last November, with just six returning upperclassman suiting up in 2015.
“The [championship game] just didn’t go our way,” he said. “The ball didn’t bounce the right way. When we got back in to the game, [Roosevelt] seemed to get going.”
Mineola completed a stellar 2014 with a 6-2 Conference IV record (8-3 overall) and made it to its first title game since 2002. En route to the finals, the Mustangs won their first home playoff game against the Carle-Place Wheatley Wild Frogs in November in nearly 20 years at Hampton Stadium with a solid run game and passing attack.
Eight of 16 teams will make the playoffs in Conference IV. The Roslyn Bulldogs and Great Neck North and South high schools moved over from Conference III. Mineola is seeded in the 12th slot for 2015.
“I think we’re still doing okay,” he said. “I think I do a good job and I think the staff does a good job.”
One of those two starters is senior and co-captain Matt Kosowski, who will line up under center as quarterback, succeeding James Gerstner, next week in game one. Gerstner lit up the conference last year for the Mustangs, gaining top honors on the way to the county finals. He committed to Stony Brook in May to play lacrosse this year.
“I think [Kosowski] will play an integral part of the team this year,” assistant coach/defensive coordinator Helms Bohringer said. “We’re looking to finish [with a winning record], hopefully sneak into the playoffs and go from there.”
Kosowski and junior Doug Hopkins could platoon as the signal caller on offense for the Mustangs. Kosowski may also see extensive time as linebacker, opening up some snaps for Hopkins on offense.
“[Kosowski’s] the stud,” Guido said. “He started as an outside linebacker and he’ll probably still play there. He’s a really good runner and it’s good in our offense if the quarterback can run.
(Photo by Michael Scro)
“Hopkins will probably play [quarterback] sometimes,” Guido continued. “He throws the ball well. So does Matt.”
Junior Tommy Bohner could serve as the teams’ bell-cow running back should Kosowski take on an extensive roll at quarterback and linebacker. Sophomores Sebastion Domenech, Christian Diaz and Edwin Acevado may fill-in at the backfield spot.
“They’re going to help us,” Guido said.
Another standout senior gone is Brian Smith, who in tandem with Gerstner, helped propel Mineola toward the championship at James Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University last season. This year, the team will need to rely on a few untested prospects looking to push Mineola through its eight-game season.
Quinn Revelant, Nick Natale and Acevado will see time at wide receiver for the Mustangs along with Matt Milwood.
“I have good receivers,” Guido said. “They’re tall and get after the ball.”
Ben Carbone spent half of 2014 on the injury report with a concussion. Guido expects big things from the running back and co-captain.
“We’re still looking for some guys to fill the vacant spots on the defensive line, but [Carbone] will try to replace Ryan Eccher in the middle,” Bohringer said. “[Kosowski] will anchor one side of the line and, potentially, [Diaz] and [Bohner].”
(Photo by Steve Toscano)
Offensive lineman/linebacker Logan Dunleavy also suffered a concussion last year, but should play a key role in the run game for the Mustangs.
“He’s going to be good for us,” Guido said. “He’s going to be good on both sides of the ball.”
Co-captain Mike Bowen returns as the center for the second year and will anchor the group in Mineola’s run game and pass protection.
“These guys are young, enthusiastic and willing to learn,” Bohringer said. “We need to work on communication and understand that each person has a job to do.”
The Mustangs open the 2015 season at home against Great Neck North on Sept. 12 before hosting the fourth-seeded West Hempstead Rams on Sept. 19. Mineola travels to Great Neck South High School and East Rockaway on Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, respectively.
“We’re playing Oyster Bay, the two Great Necks and Friends Academy” Guido said. “Those are four games we have to win. West Hempstead is the best team we play. If we would win that game, that would help.”
The Mustangs return home to host Oyster Bay Oct. 10 for homecoming and Malverne on Oct. 16 in a night game before heading to Valley Stream South on Oct. 24. Mineola closes out its season on the road against Friends Academy on Oct. 31.
