Farmingdale Dalers fans should get excited as the varsity football team will kick off the 2019 season at home against Syosset on Friday, Sept. 13. Before the season gets underway, Coach Buddy Krummenacker sat down with the Farmingdale Observer to talk about what’s ahead.
“I think we got real good team speed and we’re excited about what we can be defensively,” said Krummenacker. “On offense, we got some very good returning players. We’re looking for a good year.”
There are plenty of important returning players on this Dalers squad. Nick Lundin, last year’s starter who threw for 18 touchdowns and broke a few school records, returns under center for the offense. All-County running back Kevin Wilson makes his return to the team after being a huge contributor in the ground and air game. Two starting offensive lineman are back in Dan Hickey and Nick Armano.
Defensively, Neil Levantini leads the defensive line. The linebacking corp brings back Lorenzo Ramos and Dom Ciaccio. In the secondary, Will McCarthy, Dakotah Mathis and Rob Manetta will look to slow down the passing game of opposing offenses.
“It’s tremendous to have a bunch of guys back that played a year ago in 10 football games,” said Krummenacker. “We played at Hofstra in the conference semifinal so having those guys back is key. They really are good leaders, not just good players. Getting back to Hofstra is our expectation every year. That’s the standard of this program that we can be a big four team.”
Krummenacker, entering his 26th year with the varsity football program, said that his team’s biggest challenge is getting ready for each game every week. Having been a top contender in the Class A football conference in Nassau County, the Dalers have a target on their back and will need to stop themselves from overlooking any of their opponents.
“It’s always a challenge when you are a traditional program that everyone wants to make their mark by beating them,” said Krummenacker.
The first test will be against the Braves on Friday, with Krummenacker hoping that his team can execute what they practiced during training camp and focus on one play at a time.
