Here’s my story on the first day of Champions camp at New Rochelle High, from The Journal News and LoHud.com (Josh Thomson will be back tomorrow):
By Rick Carpiniello
rcarpini@lohud.com
NEW ROCHELLE — Whatever Tuckahoe High’s football team does, wherever it goes until the post-season, it is always the small fish in the big pond.
It’s no different at New Rochelle’s Champions Camp this week, where the Tigers are — again — working out with the bigger and much bigger schools.
That never bothers tne Tigers or coach John D’Arco, a big believer in “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“We like being the underdog all the time,” said Shyheim Nixon, a four-year, two-way starter. “Against the big schools, if we do well we look even better. We have nothng to lose, basically. Other schools have to look out for us.”
The small schools in the section, and maybe across the state, should look out for Tuckahoe too. After winning the state Class D title in 2010 (a year in which the Tigers’ only loss came against Bronxville, the state Class C champ), 19 seniors graduated. So last year was a rebuilding year, in which Tuckahoe lost to Bronxville and eventual Section 1 champ Dobbs Ferry, then lost the Class D title game to Haldane in a 6-3 season.
At a small school, any time you have a senior-laden team, the next year is likely to be rough, and D’Arco said he expected it.
“That’s kind of the way it goes,” he said. “I was proud of our guys last year, although, winning six games, some programs are satisfied. With us, it was definitely a rebuilding year and we learned a lot. We gained a lot of valuable experience and we’re ready to go this year.”
Among the 30 players in uniform now, 12 are seniors, and a bunch of the underclassmen got plenty of experience last season.
Nixon, a versatile runner/receiver/blocker/return man who also plays monster (linebacker/corner) on defense, could be the best player in the league, D’Arco said. Nick Reisman, a big running back/linebacker “came on strong last year,” D’Arco added. Junior quarterback Mike Castracucco learned a ton as a sophomore starter. And the Tigers bring back three of their five starting lineman, including three-year starter Joey Bellantoni.
“We’re definitely looking forward to this year,” the coach said.” We’ve done a lot of work (three big-school camps). We literally were in the weightroom on Thanksgiving because we lost to Haldane. We usually don’t get into the weight room until January, but the guys said, ‘Coach, we want to start early.’ We’re definitely lookng forward to this season.
“We’re good. I don’t know how good we are.”
In addition to Bronxville and Dobbs Ferry again, the Tigers will play a non-league game against Rye Country Day, which had the best year in school history last season, going 10-0 with a New England Prep Schools bowl championship.
What doesn’t kill you …
“We’re just looking to get accustomed to each other,” Reisman said. “Last year was a great year just to get experience with each other and we’re looking pretty sharp this year. When we lost to Haldane, I hate that we lost but that was just a huge stepping stone. It shows us what really can happen.”
48 Comments
I’m looking for Mr.Nixon to shine brightly in football and basketball,he’s a star.
Is Tuckahoes line still going to be pretty small?
LET’S GO TUCKAHOE!!
ANY REPORTS ON WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AT NEW ROCHELLE CAMP?
HAYWOOD
YEA!!.. YOU WAS NOT THERE!!....
HAYWOOD
LoHudInsider Mount Vernon has a new offense this year. The Knights are running the “pistol,” a shotgun-based offense run w/success by Croton.
HAYWOOD… THOUGHTS!!
Traditionally, Haldane is the only competition for Tuckahoe in Class D. Do we know anything about Haldane?
Tuckahoe’s forgotten player is Kayvon Reid. He’s tall, quick, and very tough. He’s their best, in my opinion.
DA MOST HATED,
THE COLDER IT GETS THE MORE TURNOVERS THEY WILL HAVE,THERE WILL BE GROWING PAINS,AND THE COACH CAN’T AFFORD THAT,HIS DAYS ARE NUMBERED IF THIS DOES NOT WORK,BOTTOM LINE;,THE MAGIC HAT IS GONE,AND THE RABBIT WAS COOKED ALONG TIME AGO,THEY WILL BE LUCKY TO WIN 2 GAMES
Will they beat bronxville?
HAYWOOD
DN’T THINK ABOUT THE COLD WEATHER IT’S ACTUALLY BEEN VERY GOOD WEATHER DURING THE FOOTBALL SEASON THE PAST 2-5 YEARS!!!... BUT I DO HE MIGHT BE LUCKY AND HIS DAYS COULD BE NUMBERED!!.. ARE YOU GETTING READY TO TAKE OVER!..
OLD #OO JERSEY OUT THERE COACHING HAHAHAHAHA
Prince,
I HOPE THAT I AM WRONG,I HAVE SOME GOOD MEMORIES ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND I HATE TO SEE IT GOING IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Hey Haywood
what year did you graduate? are you the one who knocked out carapella?
Wood,
The spiral has been for a while, something has to give and it has to now. I think the pistol will help recruit some athletes to the team. Wishing better days for you, a lot of your talent gets pilfered though.
HAYWOOD August 1st, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Prince,
I HOPE THAT I AM WRONG,I HAVE SOME GOOD MEMORIES ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND I HATE TO SEE IT GOING IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL
HAYWOOD.. I THINK THE SPIRAL IS GETTING WORSE!!!!
Fan August 1st, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Hey Haywood
what year did you graduate? are you the one who knocked out carapella?
NAH!!.. HAYWOOD!.. IS RUNNING FOR PRES!!.. YOU CNT SMEAR HIM!!
Statesman August 1st, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Wood,
The spiral has been for a while, something has to give and it has to now. I think the pistol will help recruit some athletes to the team. Wishing better days for you, a lot of your talent gets pilfered though.
STATES … I AGREE THERE IN THE DIEING STATE!... DN’T SEE A RECOVERY!! POSSIBLE!!
CONGRATS
NYPost_Staszews Xaverian running back Laray Smith named track & field All-American, sets Syracuse visit – NYPOST.com nyp.st/QjPgaO
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
FAN,
SORRY TO SAY IT WAS ME
hahaha
He deserved it thats for sure!
I feel your pain for MV. That program has the athletes to compete with anybody in section 1, I think its time to get new blood in there and a fresh start.
Prince
Not trying to smear anybody, hes just know around MV. That name is not very common.
FAN,
I JUST HOPE THE FUSE IS LIT,NO MORE 9TH AND 10TH CHANCES,IF YOU CAN’T BEAT TEAMS IN “A” YOUR A DONE DEAL
THIS IS THE WEAKEST SCHEDULE THAT MOUNT VERNON EVER HAD,NO NEW RO OR WHITE PLAINS
DA MOST HATED,
HAVE YOU HEARD IF ANYTHING POSITIVE HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN,NEW RO AND IONA PREP OR HARRISON,at camp?
Fan August 1st, 2012 at 3:23 pm
hahaha
He deserved it thats for sure!
I feel your pain for MV. That program has the athletes to compete with anybody in section 1, I think its time to get new blood in there and a fresh start.
FAN…....I AGREE!.... EXCEPT!!.. YOU ALREADY!!.... KNOW!!
Fan August 1st, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Prince
Not trying to smear anybody, hes just know around MV. That name is not very common.
FAN… I KNOW I HEARD ABOUT THE LUNCH #LESSON … IT’S A OLD WISE TALE!!.. LOL!!.. I TOLD HAYWOOD HIS HEIGHT AND WEIGHT THAT HE PLAYED IN HIGH SCHOOL NEARLY 30 YRS AGO (I REMEMBER) .....ABOUT 8-10 MONTHS AGO WHEN HE CAME ON THE BLOGG!!.. HE LAUGHED THAT I ACTUALLY REMEMBERED HIM!!
HAYWOOD August 1st, 2012 at 4:36 pm
FAN,
I JUST HOPE THE FUSE IS LIT,NO MORE 9TH AND 10TH CHANCES,IF YOU CAN’T BEAT TEAMS IN “A” YOUR A DONE DEAL
OUT WITH OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!!.....LOL!! #HAYWOOD FOR HEAD COACH!!!
HAYWOOD August 1st, 2012 at 5:00 pm
DA MOST HATED,
HAVE YOU HEARD IF ANYTHING POSITIVE HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN,NEW RO AND IONA PREP OR HARRISON,at camp?
HAYWOOD.. NOTHING EVERYONE IS BASICALLY PRACTICING WITH THERE TEAMS ON THURS AND FRIDAY IT WILL BE VERY GOOD!!
#NEW RO #1
HAYWOOD August 1st, 2012 at 4:39 pm
THIS IS THE WEAKEST SCHEDULE THAT MOUNT VERNON EVER HAD,NO NEW RO OR WHITE PLAINS
HAYWOOD.. THAT SCHEDULE IS A INSULT!!.. AND IF YOU CN’T GO 7-2 YOUR BAD!!!
PRINCE,
I AM STILL AMAZED,THAT IS WHY NO MATTER HOW NUTS YOU GET,YOU HAVE KNOWN FOOTBALL A LONG TIME,AND I RESPECT YOU FOR THAT
Haywood, u beat up your coach? Lololol!!!!
Oh snap…. Mv football was all down hill after that!!!!!
Ps . Watch out for guys who say they no u… not named prince… Highly doubt they went to MV!!!
JUST,
NOT THE COACH,VICE PRINCIPAL,HE WAS OVER AGRESSIVE WITH ME,AND THREATENED MY SCHOLARSHIP.
Ohhh… Thought he stole your lunch bag!!!
Haywooood!!!!!!!!
That guy must have been way wrong!!! I don’t like to pretend I know how people are on here… It is a blog after all… But u come across as a cool guy so I will go out on the blogging ledge and say this guy got what he deseeeeerrrrvvved!!!
JUST A FACT,
YOU HAVE THE #1 PICK IN FOOTBALL (HIGH SCHOOL)SEC.1.
WHO ARE YOU TAKING?
#1 IN CATHLIC,WHO ?
JUST,
I NEVER HAD A FIGHT IN HIGH SCHOOL,LEAVE IT AT THAT
Haywood, this year I have a few favs to start!!!
Honorable mention
Lent – csouth – can be an offensive force at qb/ rb as well as defensively at dback… Will go to college at weak side backer if he wants – mark those words..,
Two lb’s from north roc dappalito on Connell I am big fans of…
I am sure I can think of a somers kid as well as crendendino but… Going with the purple..
#1 player in sect 1 is Edney!!! Can run and pass( better passer)... You they put him at d – end no one can block him… Probably go to college for d – end or wr… I hope he gets to go for qb.. But by never gets respect it deserves!!! Give me a couple players and why!!!
*****NY
I like lambert from jjcr as well!!!
Pok qb sounds pretty exciting..
JUST,
I THINK THAT MY 2 FAVORITES ARE CLARKE FROM NEW ROCHELLE AND MR. NIXON FROM TUCKAHOE;
CLARKE; PURE ATHLETE IF HE STAYS HEALTHY,HE IS GOING TO BE SCARY,THE MAN CAN PUNT
MR.NIXON WILL BE HEARD FROM ALL WINTER,DYNAMIC WITH THE BALL IN HIS HANDS,KICK RETURNER AS WELL
HAYWOOD August 1st, 2012 at 5:13 pm
PRINCE,
I AM STILL AMAZED,THAT IS WHY NO MATTER HOW NUTS YOU GET,YOU HAVE KNOWN FOOTBALL A LONG TIME,AND I RESPECT YOU FOR THAT
Haywood!!.. Thank you!!... My brutha!!..
a lot of times they try to rip me down!!!.... But I’m thankful that you and my other just facts!!!. See the truth!!!..
Just a fact August 1st, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Haywood, u beat up your coach? Lololol!!!!
Oh snap…. Mv football was all down hill after that!!!!!
Ps . Watch out for guys who say they no u… not named prince… Highly doubt they went to MV!!!
JUST…. Lol!!!... I am the only REAL HAYWOOD!!.. Knower!!!...
HAYWOOD August 1st, 2012 at 7:15 pm
JUST,
NOT THE COACH,VICE PRINCIPAL,HE WAS OVER AGRESSIVE WITH ME,AND THREATENED MY SCHOLARSHIP.
Haywood!!..... Sometimes people have to get what there hand calls for!!!!!
What does Triolo mean when he says he’s going to make Harrison football mean something again? They were at the dome playing tough against a now AA team not too long ago! I’m not even from there and I know they love ball. Tomato, care to shed some light?
@Statesman – - I think what he means is 1st beating Rye and stopping the streak. Then we win the Section and be a contender at The Dome! Also Imo, making it fun and desirable. When I was in High School and being the youngest of 4 older brothers, i was raised thru the rah rah rah of Harrison Football and the Husky Spirit. I couldnt wait to be a Junior/Senior and compete and play Rye on the Varsity level and dive in the Victory brook. I think thats what he means
How is your new POUGHKEEPSIE PIONEEEEERS Football field coming along? I love your football announcer
Will it be ready for the Season?
Where is BIG JOE he went to Tuckahoe
Tomato,
Got you. That Rye streak has to be bugging you. The field is beautiful, oregon striped turf from the same team that laid the turf at Ralph Wilson Stadium in buffalo. A few more loose ends but it will be ready. Our announcer is pretty legit, hopefully he sees your kinds words.
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