Huntington High School's 2010 Football Preview

2009 Record: 2-6 (No playoffs).

Head coach: Steve Muller (15th season).

Preseason Ranking: Seventh in Division III.

Top players: Sr. RB/OLB Calvin Bollar; Sr. WR/S Will Coffey; Sr. DE Dante Allen; Jr. FB/LB Trayvon Toney; Sr. C/DT Rich Fernandez; Sr. TE/S Ryan Mulligan.

Position Breakdown: After a breakout season in 2009, All-Suffolk running back Calvin Bollar is expected to have another dominant season, along with fullback Trayvon Toney. Bollar's speed and ability to cut, combined with Toney's vision, make the Blue Devils' backfield one to reckon with. Another plus: The return of junior quarterback Dan Plant, who missed all of the 2009 season with an injury. Providing options for Plant on the outside is wide receiver Will Coffey and tight end Ryan Mulligan, each large targets. Longtime coach Steve Muller goes from having almost no varsity experience on the offensive and defensive lines a year ago to a core of veteran leadership, led by senior center / defensive tackle Rich Fernandez. Accompanying Fernandez are seniors Dante Allen, Jack Forster and C.J. Herrington.

Expectations: Blue Devils are coming off their worst season in 14 years, so there's nowhere to go but up for this proud football program. "Our expectations are to make the playoffs – it's that simple," Muller said. "We normally make the playoffs and it's disheartening when we don't. It's one game at a time. In the end hopefully we're in the playoffs and we can go from there. It's a new season once you hit the playoffs." Coach Muller may have playoffs on his mind, but his players are expecting much more out of this season. "We're looking for the Long Island Championship," Coffey said. "If you're not looking for the Long Island Championship you shouldn't be playing. That's the only thing, the Long Island Championship."

2010 Schedule: Sept. 11 – Huntington @ Sayville, 2 p.m.; Sept. 16 – Huntington @ Harborfields, 3:30 p.m.; Sept. 25 – Kings Park @ Huntington, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 2 - Miller Place @ Huntington, 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 9 Huntington @ Deer Park, 2 p.m.; Oct. 15 – Huntington @ Eastport-South Manor, 7 p.m.; Oct. 23 - East Hampton @ Huntington, 2 p.m.; Oct. 30 – Islip @ Huntington, 1:30 p.m.

News & Notes: When it comes down to it, experience is a key component for any team to win games. For the first time in a few seasons, Muller is happy with the amount of experience on his team. "It's about our players," Muller said. "The players that come in you're not allowed to recruit, it comes in cycles. Sometimes you're waiting for that next group to come through." Muller added, "Last year we didn't play up to our expectations, but we were a very young group. We only had three kids with any varsity experience. This year they are all returning and they all have varsity experience, and I expect them to play much better because of what they learned from last year." The players also believe they will benefit from bonds that have been built during off-season conditioning and the opening weeks of practice. "I'm expecting to do very well because we have a team, we have more of a family now," Bollar said. "Last year we had individual players, now we have more of a team unit. We play together instead of playing as individuals, I think that's going to play a big part in us winning."