Yorktown is hoping to win a sectional title for what would be the 29th time in the last 31 years this season. It’s certainly one of the more impressive streaks in high school sports. Anywhere.
If they are to do it, the Huskers will have to get consistent play from a new-look defense that is minus two all-Americans (John Fennessy/Towson and Ethan Fox/Marist) and three all-section standouts (Brendan Brunelle/Marist, Brett Cabriele/Wesleyan and Michael Bonitatibus/Loyola).
Perhaps the most experienced returnee on defense for the Huskers is C.W. Post-bound senior Stephen Burke.
* Player’s perspective archive
For background info on Stephen, click here.
What have you been doing to get ready for this season?
This preseason I have been lifting in the gym and doing a lot of speed training and we as a team have been practicing in the gym twice a week.
Can you talk about some of the key players you lost from last year and how you think you will be able to replace them, especially on defense and in goal?
We graduated many key players last year including John Ranagan at midfield, Mike Bonitatibus in goal, John Fennesy at close defense and Ethan Fox at long-pole middie and Tom Casey at attack. Justin Mabus, Tyler Schuldt and Joey Porcelli all played a lot last year and will play and do well for us this season as well.
Remy Lieberman and Kevin Interlicchio will be returning at attack and both are very strong players on the offensive end. We also just got a new kid, Frank Fusco, who will certainly contribute to the attack with his skills. We lost a four year starting goalie Mike B. But Derek Koelsch will certainly fill his spot no problem. We did lose a lot of defense last year but we will have a strong unit again this year.
What regular-season games are you most looking forward to?
The two biggest games that I am most looking forward to are Lakeland/Panas (May 1 at Lakeland/Panas) and John Jay (April 3 at Yorktown). They are both strong teams in the section. Also, the Lakeland/Panas game is the Murphy Cup which is very important to all of Yorktown.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
Frankie Fusco has never played at Yorktown but he will do very well and surprise many.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
We have a very cohesive team who play well together. We have a very strong offense, including two starting attackmen back in Lieberman and Interlicchio. Also Mabus, Porcelli and Schuldt will contribute a lot to the offense. I also believe that our defense will be just as strong this season. We have two strong long pole middies, Joey Bonitatibus and Nick Donovan. Also, we have a strong close defense in Jules Zidi, Anthony Filomio as well as myself. We also have Derek Koelsch in the goal.
* You can check out Yorktown’s schedule by clicking here.
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Posted In: Player's perspective
Nice Job Burkey! Hold down that defense
Word on the street is that the Fusco kid is the real deal…..
comment1234
Hey is that new kid a legal transfer???
JUST KIDDING!
Good luck Town.
well done stephen. have a great year and bring it home.
where is fusco from, haldane right?
frankie is fruit from the yorktown tree – his mom and dad grew up in yorktown and both graduated from yorktown. his dad frank was an absolutely sick defenseman, captained first yorktown team to make it to state finals, believe he made all american. little frankie may be good for yorktown one day but he never would have beaten his dad – fast as a cat on a hot tin roof!
John Ranagan scores his first vasity goal as Hop cruises past Deleware, 15 -7. Palazek with an assist.
Have a good year Steve and best of luck at college next year….