The list of contending programs in Section 1 has remaining relatively stable.
But there could be a new program on its way to contention.
At least the signs sure point that way.
With a thriving youth program, large high school enrollment and a head coach from the Hudson Valley’s most tradition-rich program (Yorktown grad Donny Connolly), Arlington is clearly a program on the rise.
The Admirals are coming off a 10-7 season that began with an eight-game win streak. (The streak, ironically, was ended Yorktown in a 9-3 Arlington loss.)
What are Arlington’s prospects for 2011?
Let’s get the perspective of one of the team’s top players, senior defenseman Pat Sunday.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Sunday will be joining the upstart Division II program at the College of Saint Rose next year.
Now, here are his thoughts on his final high school season.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
I’ve been trying to improve my footwork mostly by using an agility ladder. I have also been on a strength training program coupled with running a few days a week.
As a team we have been playing in the Brewster Indoor League and we also had a very successful fall season competing with some great teams at fall tournaments such as UMass, Yale and Fairfield. I feel that this will help with team chemistry heading into the spring season.
How does your schedule look, including scrimmages, and what games are you looking forward to?
Our schedule this year is great. We get to play every traditional Section 1 powerhouse and I think that this will be beneficial for us as a program. Personally, I am really looking forward the the Yorktown, Mahopac,Lakeland/Panas and John Jay games.
I’m also looking forward to pending games with out-of-section teams from the Capital District like Guilderland .I know Coach Connolly will get us the best games he can. I think he’s trying to line up some scrimmages with some top Connecticut teams as well.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
We have a lot of great young talent on our team. I feel that sophomore midfielder Danny Hanson and junior midfielder Dan Arkett will definitely turn some heads this season the most. Our sophomore, goaltender,J.D. Colarusso, is also looking great in cage as well as returning senior Dan Benson.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
I feel that our team is very strong defensively with a lot of depth at longpole and goalkeeping.
I also feel that our midfield play will improve this year as well.
* For background info on Patrick, click here.
Arlington 2011 schedule
3-29 BREWSTER
3-31 at Putnam Valley
4-2 SOMERS
4-5 MAHOPAC
4-7 at Yorktown
4-12 at Lakeland/Panas
4-14 at Kennedy Catholic
4-16 NEW MILFORD
4-20 at John Jay
4-23 GUILDERLAND
4-26 NORTH SALEM
4-28 at Wappingers
4-30 ALBANY ACADEMY
5-3 Peekskill
5-10 at Haldane
5-12 CARMEL
* For schedules for teams from throughout the region, be sure to check out the “Schedules galore” thread, and scroll down to the comments portion for the most recently released schedules.
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Posted In: Player's perspective, Section 1
Good luck Admirals! Have a great season and good luck next year at St. Rose!
Good job kid. Have a great year.
Good Luck Pat,keep up the hard work.We are proud of you!
No reason this problem shouldn’t become a sectional title contender in a few years.
Keep an eye out for their current sophmore and eight grade classes.
Both are tight groups with a passion for the game.
Should be fun to watch them play together at the varsity level in a few years
Too bad you don’t have a son in the freshman class; you might not diss them as easily as you do in your comment otherwise.
No diss intended.I apologize if it it was taken
that way.Not my intention at all. They are all great kids.Just excited about the potential of those two classes overall and what the future may hold for them if they continue to work hard.
I can understand you wanted only to highlight what you think are two special classes coming up at Arlington. Just keep in mind that by excluding the current 9th graders that you might bring up hard feelings locally that you didn’t intend. People really don’t want to hear about anyone’s 8th grade team anyway. Lord knows in my town people get worked up about the 5th graders, if you can believe that. It’s better to let those classes do their talking on the field at the HS level and discuss that than get into arguments over whether the middle school team is better than the freshmen.
Good luck to young Mr. Sunday and all the Arlington teams this year.
Good luck Pat!
Sirlaxalot, I couldn’t agree more. All the pieces are in place for that to happen.
A player that everyone seems to ignore is Keith. You can’t discount
Keith’s effect on this squad.Expect big things from Keith coming off the bench this season. All-Leauge guaranteed and sure to be a hot topic of
conversation when All-section selections come out.You dont need to know
Keith’s last name,you’ll know him when you see him play. More than a few D1
rosters should consider holding a spot for him. A real late-bloomer. Plays
big,plays hard when it counts.
Great article Pat, well done. Keep working hard!
Pat have a real good year!
Keep your eye on the prize and keep working hard
SLIDE EARLY,SLIDE HARD