St. Anthony's 2011 Football Preview [VIDEO]

No one will shed a tear when they hear of the injury woes visited upon as the Friars kick off another football season. When you’ve been on top as long as the Friars have been, opposing schools look for ways to take them apart.

St. Anthony’s suffered a big blow when newly installed starting quarterback Sean McDonough (back) was lost for the season before a pass was thrown. Replacement Peter Carew sprained his ankle over the weekend. 

The injuries keep mounting: Rush end Bryan Rhodes has a hamstring problem. Another projected starter at cornerback, Rich Doktor, was lost to a broken collarbone.

“It’s been a challenge,” longtime coach Rich Reichert admitted.

Yet all that carnage is secondary to the fact that Reichert will carry 90 players on the varsity roster. It’s the secret behind St. Anthony’s. A strong feeder system combined with a veteran coaching staff and overwhelming numbers allow for the Friars to reload – no matter what.

That’s why St. Anthony’s, , is the top seed and favorite to win the for a third straight season. It’s why the Friars have won 10 or more games in 10 of the last 11 seasons. They've gone 112-10 and won nine CHSFL titles during that span. And it’s why Reichert (201 career wins) has a shot to become Suffolk’s all-time winningest football coach by season’s end (Bellport’s Joe Cipp Jr. retired this off-season with 211 victories).

Last Season: 11-0 (CHSFL Class AAA champs)

Coach: Rich Reichert (25th season)

Top Players:

• Matt Biscardi, senior, OG
• Durelle Napier, senior, S
• Bryan Rhodes, senior, DE
• Dariyan Riley, senior, RB
• Brian Sherlock, senior, RB
• Tim Stackpole, senior, S

Position Breakdown: With the graduation of Charlie Raffa (Maryland lacrosse), the Friars had to find a new offensive leader. St. Anthony’s runs the option and finding an athlete with an arm, smarts and toughness is no easy thing. So with McDonough lost for the season, there's more uncertainty at the program’s most irreplaceable position. Carew should fill the void.

But he’ll have plenty of help in the backfield as one of the CHSFL’s most dynamic backs returns in Dariyan Riley. He’s shifty, fast and a home run threat. Junior Anthony Anderson is up from the JV. Brian Sherlock is a multidimensional back who can run or catch.

And the offensive line has three big-time blockers to bust holes in any defense. Seniors Tom Fey and Jordan Moskowitz anchor the two tackle positions while Newsday All-Long Island pick Matt Biscardi stars at guard.

Defensive line will be a strength too. With returners Rhodes, end J.D. Hurt and tackle Pat McHugh, the Friars are stacked up front.

The linebacking corps will miss the leadership of All-State pick Matt McLees (Army Prep). But again, depth wins out. Reichert has six players in tight competition for three starting spots, led by Kevin Long, Dylan Cafarella and Harry Passante.

Don’t throw against the Friars’ safeties. Seniors Durelle Napier is a ball hawk and Tim Stackpole is a hitter.

St. Anthony’s has become a haven for excellent kickers and returner James Doktor is no exception. He’ll give the Friars a real option if a drive stalls.

Expectations: Brooklyn’s Xaverian has the talent to challenge for the CHSFL title. New Rochelle’s Iona Prep has the recent track record to be a factor. And Holy Trinity in Hicksville, well, the Titans have an elite quarterback. 

But can any of them put all the ingredients together and actually beat St. Anthony’s, the in the region? The last time it happened Iona Prep handed an injury-depleted Friars team a rare loss in the championship game. That was 2008.

St. Anthony’s blew out Iona 41-23 in last season’s title-game rematch. The Friars have five starters back on offense and six on defense. And recent history all but guarantees St. Anthony’s gets to the big game once again.

Even if the injury bug keeps biting, count on depth, coaching and tradition to carry the day.

“This is senior oriented team,” Reichert said. “We’re going to lean on senior leadership.”

Schedule:

2010

Farrell @ St. Anthony's

St. Anthony's @ Xaverian

Iona Prep @ St. Anthony's

Patch created a Facebook page where you can follow the Friars this season as they push for another championship.