Some football news: Longtime Nanuet coach Rich Conklin has been appointed to join the Clarkstown South coaching staff as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. Conklin coached at Nanuet for 35 seasons and is the fifth-winningest coach in Section 1 history.
Here’s Adam Berger’s story:
After two seasons away from football, Rockland County’s second-winningest coach is headed back to the sidelines.
Rich Conklin, who won 218 games in 35 seasons with Nanuet, will join Mike Scarpelli’s Clarkstown South staff as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator.
The hiring still needs the approval of Clarkstown Central School District’s Board of Education, and Conklin declined to comment until that time. The board is expected to make the move official within the next two weeks.
Conklin retired after the 2010 season as one of the most successful coaches in Section 1 history, fifth on that all-time coaching wins’ list and second in Rockland to North Rockland athletic director Joe Casarella, who had 256 wins when he coached the Red Raiders.
Conklin’s path to Clarkstown South began with a happen-stance meeting with Scarpelli at a Nanuet supermarket shortly after he retired two years ago.
After exchanging pleasantries, Scarpelli brought up the idea of returning to coaching. Conklin said he promised his family he’d take at least a year off.
“Two years go by; it was November and I’m driving by Nanuet High School,” Scarpelli recalled. “I see the sign, ‘the undefeated unscored upon (1989) season.’ It just hit me. … I cannot believe that no one’s swiped this guy up yet.”
Scarpelli gave Conklin another call and this time he accepted.
“My thought was this: When are we going to get an opportunity to get a legendary football coach on our staff coaching our kids,” Scarpelli said. “That’s the way I thought about it. It’s rare.”
Between the two there is nearly a half-century’s worth of head-coaching experience. Scarpelli has been the Vikings head coach for 10 seasons, calling plays on offense during that time.
He’s excited to hand over those duties to a coach of Conklin’s pedigree. Scarpelli says the move will get the Vikings back to the fundamentals he strives for and will also allow him to better manage games in all three phases.
“Some kids on our team, their fathers played at Nanuet,” Scarpelli said. “For how succesfull he was, he just wants to be around kids, coach kids and make them better people on and off the field.”
145 Comments
When will the rankings be release?
Football Fan,
Not doubting your info, but where did you find the post season rankings?
Mahopac beat RCK like 48-0 last year.
FC, RCK #2(not any time soon) but as crazy as it sounds it would’nt suprise me with section 1. That’s how messed up they are.
@Dm50 – I think Lombardo for Somers is coming back for Somers, plus their CB who had a pick and a fumble against Harrison in the playoffs. I forgot his name, Somers should be pretty good maybe having momentum from last year into this year, but Somer’s did lose the whole O-line to graduation. JJCR has big shoes/holes to fill. Sleepy Hollow returns all skilled positions. Rye returns 3 year QB and their backfield. Rye will have a fast squad. Brewster?
Pok- MEGATRON! LOL If i were Coach Barger i would give him the ball every play
I would like to see Class A cross – over games against Class A Section 9.
Super 11
No brainers:
Joe Clarke
Davonte hamilton
Going to have strong case:
amuicchi
D. Lopez – sleepy
Duke – rck
Keenan – oll
Gioia – oll
Soave – Dobbs
Barber – woodlands
Just…
Joe Clarke is a senior. Duke, Keenan, Gioia and Hamilton are not eligible.
RT…
Lombardo graduated. Somers’ two top returning players are backs Connor Vlasaty and Matt Morgante.
Thanks Josh – - any news buzzing around Head quarters there about 2013 Football schedules?
No information, but I’m very busy with basketball season still. Also, I wouldn’t say I’m the football committee’s favorite son these days.
Josh, lol.. For some reason I thought Clark was a jr…, he skip a grade??? Lololol…
As for the dutchess kids they are in my super 11…
Josh, what happened with u and football committee???? Sounds interesting!!!
No one is on the Football committee christmas list
Jenn simmons jumping out of a cake at next meeting….
Pacman 2,
I found the post season rankings from last year on an old post by Josh.
You are absolutely right about RCK & Mahopac. If AA had an 8 team playoff last year this is what it would have looked like…
1. New Rochelle
2. North Rockland
3. Mamaroneck
4. John Jay
5. RCK
6. Clarkstown North
7. Mahopac
8. Ramapo
RCK & Ramapo would have been in the playoffs with joke schedules and RCK would have been ranked well ahead of Mahopac who, as you stated, crushed RCK!
Hey Josh,
What are the chances of getting a new post about football, so we don’t have to search for this thread. I know basketball has a great story with New Rochelle, but maybe someone out there knows something about the 2013 football season. Would certainly like to hear about it!
Some prince throw backs… About Stepinac before 2012 season had started…
About step scrimmage…
Jaf…
“Saw the tape, QB looks good. Still doesnt tell us what the end result was. Prince has questioned their Defense. They only showed their offense plays and a couple of D. Why no full story???”
“Just odd the STep Fanz quiet this weekend…”
Ppr…
“HOOPS STEP HAS SOME WEAPONS! BUT I THINK STEP IS REALLY ONE DIMENSIONAL I AM NOT A FAN OF THE RB!!”
Wish lotto this easy…
Just,
If the Dutchess kids were eligible Gioia and Keenan would be locks(both All State as Jr’s) for Super 11. My son told me that one of the Lourdes kids may have broken state record for punt returns in a season, assuming it was Keenan. Also, Sanchez from JJEF will have a big year.
But 100% understandable that Josh leaves them off as this is a Westchester paper/blog. Poughkeepsie Journal coverage of hs football is horrible.
Rdi, I disagree. If u cover section 1 they should be included in super 11 or 16 as I like to call it.
This isn’t about any adul wantst, just aboout the kids. And getting them more recognition.
That message gets lost on here sometimes!!!
What position does Sanchez play?
Film?
@Football fan – when you log on to the blog go up top to the Football category and click on it. This article is the Top one, real easy to get too
@ just
I agree, all sec 1 players should be eligible for super 11. I live in Dutchess and purchase the Journal News everyday.
Just,
Excellent point. Like Loud, I work in Westchester and buy JN everyday. Just wish Poughkeepsie Journal did a better job.
Sanchez is a LB/RB, don’t know if he has any highlights on web.
Lohud just released All Section players for basketball and OLL and POK are included. Why is Football different? anyone anyone Bueller Bueller LOL
RT… Those are not our selections. In fact, Dutchess had not been included in the basketball coaches association before this season and its players were not honored.
Also, the philosophy is simple, really: If you honor players outside your organization/coverage area, it takes away spots from deserving athletes within the coverage area. There is not a league or news organization that doesn’t abide by the same rule.
@ Josh
then you should put an * next to the super 11 if Hamilton (MEGATRON) and Gioia are not included
You should call it the westchester super 11 and make it very clear that it isn’t a sec 1 super 11.
That is why u go to 16.. There is never a perfect system.
I would break from tradition on this one!
As much as I want Putnam duchess and rock to leave sect 1 because of u know who…. Sect 1 AA would be boring without those teams. The race for #3 is always up in the air…. And sometimes even #2….
This Sanchez kid sounds like something … Gioia and Keenan tape they look like a very good combo.. And Hamilton is just an athletic BEAST. Hope he stays close to Statesman and good things wil happen!
Loudmouth… It has never been branded as a Section 1 Super 11. It’s The Journal News’ Super 11. It always has been.
LHBCA – Lower Hudson Basketball Coaches Association put those awards up on the other blog. Is there a LHFCA? Senior moment I cannot remember LOL
There is a football coaches association. They give out all-section awards just like the basketball coaches give out all-section awards.
Our awards are Journal News all-stars (Westchester/Putnam) and all-county (Rockland only).
guys…show some love for Golinello up in brewster when talking about super 11
all section lineman of the year and all state honorable mention as a junior
hope everyone is well and cant wait for this season!
@ Josh
everyone in sec1 gets recognized except Dutchess schools. I think the journal news should reconsider since they have no problem selling their paper in Dutchess county
I only saw Lourdes play their last 3 games this past season, No doubt Giaoa and Keenan should be included on any all star team involved with section 1. I know both were ALL STATE and will be back next year.
Strange that the Keenan plays for Lourdes, I heard his father is the head football coach at Millbrook hs in section 9.
Dutch,
Millbrook HC is Christian Keenan’s(OLL) Uncle.
Millbrook coach’s kid(Peter) played for him in Millbrook and got a full ride to Div. 2 Bentley Univ. in Boston.
Prince!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some interesting info.
This coming season Canisius is traveling to OH to play a game. And Aquinas is hosting a OH team. Great news and yet Section1 cant tie their own shoelaces…....
St. A vs St. Joes from Buffalo – another interesting match up….
It is amazing that other states can scheule the upcoming football season, plus schedule out of state games, but Section 1 cant even get a lousy 7 game schedule finished before March!! Come on guys!! You’re not trying to split the atom!!!
DM50 March 13th, 2013 at 9:30 am
It is amazing that other states can scheule the upcoming football season, plus schedule out of state games, but Section 1 cant even get a lousy 7 game schedule finished before March!! Come on guys!! You’re not trying to split the atom!!!
SO TRUE!!!
RT – sequester for section one scheduling committee. if the schedule is not out by march 1st – all teams automatically get a 10 game regular season schedule, with a 10 team playoff format and an August 15 start date.
@lighter side – thats what im talking about
March 13th and counting…
Not a single word about, not one.
What could the committee members possibly be doing w/ their time?
What exactly does McCarthy do all day? As the Athletic Director is he THAT busy??? Does he teach? Don’t spring sports run themselves?
What is he and the other members doing???
Any word on when the rankings come out. Last year they were released in late march I think.
March 16th & not a single word on the rankings. The rankings! Didn’t the football committee collect all those surveys at the end of JANUARY!
Here is my prediction…
The football committee will meet some time during the middle of next week. They will “announce” the rankings on Friday and that will be it. No leagues, no schedules, no playoff information. They will let us know the rankings right before spring vacation, probably at 4/5 pm, then run for the hills! By the way, we will NOT be given any reasoning for the rankings either.
Leagues, schedules & playoff information you can forget about until the middle of April once spring sports are well underway. The hope will be that people are not paying attention. This has been the way section one football has been handled for years…
Can 2013 possibly be worse than 2012?
All I can say is that the people I have spoken with in my community are NOT happy. I hope the football committee realizes that MANY people are watching this time around…
@football fan…..very well said. I don’t believe the overwhelming arrogance of the committee. As someone said earlier, how can Section Nine be so far ahead of Section 1??
Arlington,
It’s simple, the Section 9 people have more time on their hands because they don’t have to worry about things like brushing their teeth.
Well said!!!! But at least they have their schedules!!!
Basketball is OVER!
Can we PLEASE have some information about FOOTBALL!!!