By PHIL DUSENBURY

Here’s the quick skinny on the Website. This year we’re scaling it way back. At first I was ready to shut it down for several reasons including my own health (and sanity) and for lack of correspondents. Many thanks to all those people who have unselfishly shared their time and talent over the years!

So after a six-year run of the SNF Website, we’re simplifying things. A whole lot. This year we plan to put up our popular front page scoreboard on game days and nights, and we’ll also have a few occasional columns from yours truly. Call it the SNF Website Lite.

‘Nuf said for now. Let’s get down to business.

JOHN FORD STEPS DOWN

John Ford has retired from the position of Section Nine Football Chairman. The feisty Ford has been replaced by Kingston athletic director Glen Maisch and Middletown athletic director Dave Coates. Besides their being excellent administrators, Maisch and Coates are particularly good choices to co-chair SNF because of their home bases. Kingston’s venerable Dietz Stadium and Middletown’s spectacular new Faller Field will again share the sectional semi-finals and championships. The regional state quarterfinals will remain in Kingston and Mahopac while Kingston, because of its geographic location, will again host the Eastern state finals.

Ford, who was once a very successful head football coach at New Paltz, served the section very well. A tough but very consistent man, John stepped on a lot of toes over the years (especially those tootsies belonging to the media and several coaches). But one always knew where he stood with John, especially once one learned to read his ascerbic sense of humor. Yes, it was usually John’s way or the highway, as the old expression goes. But the bottom line is that John Ford was one of the key pioneers in this whole state tournament process that has taken over New York high school football. The rest of that bottom line reads that he got the often difficult job done! We owe him many thanks.

Meanwhile Maisch and Coates are 21^st Century guys who are good at listening and who understand the value of public relations. They’ll be busy. We wish them nothing but the best.

COACHING CHANGES

Section Nine will feature five new head coaches in 2009 plus two returning coaches who each took his team to postseason play. Over at Burke Catholic Ed Van Curen, formerly the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, replaces Jeremy Beamon as head coach. Beamon is now an assistant at his alma mater, Middletown … At Goshen Chip Elliott returns as head coach and replaces John Mardyniak. For the past two seasons Elliott served as an assistant coach under Mardyniak. In 2005 he led the Gladiators to the Class A title game where they were edged by Coates’s Cornwall team, 14-7 … Jeramie Collins, former Wallkill defensive coordinator, has replaced Tom Loughlin at Kingston … At Liberty John Wilhelm takes over for Jim O’Connor … Newburgh sees former assistant Bill Bianco stepping up and taking over for C.T. Chatham … At Wallkill Brian Vegliando is at the helm as Dave Der Cola stepped down … Meanwhile Washingtonville sees the return of Don Clark from the college ranks to take over for Tim Johnson who will stay on the staff as an assistant. In 2003, Clark’s one prior year at the Wizard helm, he led Washingtonville to its only sectional playoff game appearance to date. Devon Hoover replaced Clark and kept the program moving forward only to get unfairly sacked by his school administration in 2005. Johnson took over the disheveled program in 2006 just as the school got hit by an austerity budget and got the program back on its feet.

BIG SHOES TO FILL BUT LOTS OF TALENT TO GO AROUND

The five brand new head coaches all have big shoes to fill. That’s especially so at Newburgh and Wallkill where I think both C.T. Chatham and Dave Der Cola just need a little time away from the game. Both were at the top of their games, and each left his successor with plenty of talent to work with in 2009.

Brian Vegliano is a Wallkill graduate (Class ‘97) and was Der Cola’s offensive coordinator. The proud papa of a new baby boy, he’s now anticipating his season’s non-league opener at Valley Central on Friday night, September 4: “The Battle of the Valley.”

“This first game really adds focus,” he said. “Valley Central and Wallkill is a great rivalry and a healthy rivalry. The schools are close to one another and we know each other. During the year our staffs help each other out and we even root for each other. Not during the trophy game, however.”

At this juncture one would have to say that Wallkill is the favorite to win the Class A title. Six starters return to the offense while five return to the defense. Cornwall, despite all its losses, has so many outstanding athletes and cannot be counted out; but this Panther squad should be able to put up plenty of points this season.

Back to carry the ball for the Panthers are “Thunder” (James Schoonmaker - 6, 195 senior) and “Lightning” (Dom Calvanico - 5-8, 170 junior).

“Dom can drive defenders crazy,” said Vegliando, “and Schoonmaker is a real workhorse.”

Also returning is all-star wide receiver Chad Hecht (6-2, 185 senior), a true go-to guy. Meanwhile senior Andrew Harcher (5-10, 152), who received excellent reviews for his summer 7-on-7 performances, will start at quarterback in place of graduated all-star Seth Ewald.

“We have some open spots on the offensive line,” Vegliando said. “Right now Jeff Snyder (senior tackle) and Robert Fasano (junior center) are set. Both are undersized, which is usual for us. But they’re tenacious. (Senior) Justin Pineiro will be a starting tackle.”

Jordan Hanson (up from the jayvees), junior Adam Howard and senior Nelson Andrades are battling for the other two interior o-line spots. Andrades, who played mostly defense last year, is the biggest Panther at 5-11 and 290 pounds. Another veteran big guy, Eric Paz (5-9, 270 senior) will also see time on the o-line while playing some nose on defense.

Someone that Vegliando wants to get on the field as often as possible is junior Joe Ortiz (5-6, 140). Ortiz led the section in interceptions last season, and went wild in the off season 7-on-7’s, winning his second straight defensive MVP at the Summer Skell that Wallkill hosted.

“Joey has instincts like I’ve never seen. On defense he just finds the ball and gets to it. We want to get him involved this year whenever possible.”

That could mean that he might occasionally line up with Hecht at the wide outs to make for a truly scary corps of receivers. The Panthers already have a fine returning split end in junior Ryan Atkins.

And there’s even more offensive fire power! Junior placekicker Pat Toole was perfect in his booting chores last season. His highlight came in the regular season victory at Port Jervis when Wallkill roared back from a 14-point, fourth quarter deficit to tie the game and then win it on “Cool” Toole’s 37-yard field goal with no time left. That 2008 finish that was second only to NFA’s stunning come-from-behind and ultimately OT victory over Minisink Valley in the AA semi-final.

The Wallkill defense will be led by the ball-hawking Ortiz and senior linebacker Joe Cappuccilli (5-10, 190) among others. Andrades, strong safety Nick Malcuit and junior CB Steven Moyer also return on ‘D.’

Rory Boice is the defensive coordinator while Dan Croce handles the special teams and offensive line.

Right now for Wallkill it’s all about getting ready for a youngish but very talented AA Valley Central team. In the second game of the season, the Panthers will host Section 4 AA Horseheads, a team that Monroe-Woodbury played two seasons ago. That game will be followed by Wallkill’s Class A opener - at home - against Goshen on Thursday, September 18.

SPEAKING OF CLASS A …

Since we’ve started out with Class A in this column (I can’t yet get into calling it a blog), we might as well make a few more comments on the subject. As we all know Cornwall had a sensational team last year, one which could have gone all the way to a state title. But a very questionable flag (to say the least) in the state regional at Mahopac shot those hopes down by nullifying Kevin Arduino’s last second TD run which would have defeated Nyack.

In seeing 23 players from last year’s roster graduate, coach Marcus Hughes and his staff have their work cut out. But it seems that Cornwall always has its share of athletes. And last year’s top-notch jayvee team will promote some more of them. Junior Tyler Lawson looks to step under center and take over state Class A player of the year Arduino’s quarterback slot. Junior scatback Rashad Wroten looks to be the main ground threat. Returnees from last season's championship squad include starters Colin Kelly (senior WR/DB), Kenny Kirshner (senior kicker), Max Bauer (junior center-turned-tackle), Ryan Staudle (junior defensive lineman), Mike Incantalupo (senior WR/DB) and Joey Terribile (senior RB/LB).

Despite all their losses, no one is even thinking about writing off the Dragons who open their season at home against Section 4’s Ithaca.

Of the other four Class A teams, semi-finalists Port Jervis and Saugerties suffered major losses via graduation, and Rondout Valley may still be reeling from last year’s disheartening 1-8 season. Goshen had a host of juniors on last year’s roster and may end up being the most improved of these four other teams. Improved enough to make the playoffs? We’ll see about that. PJ and Saugerties are reloading but still must be given their props, and Rondout is always dangerous.

Chip Elliott’s Goshen Gladiators return John Stephens (6, 210 senior FB/ILB), a real stud and third year two-way starter. Also back are tough senior center Joe Sullivan (6-2, 235) plus senior quarterbacks Chris O’Connor (also a CB) and Jordan Salkin. Senior ‘08 starting linemen Cesar Palma and John Rodnite also return. Overall, 17 of last year’s 24 juniors on the varsity have returned.

Meanwhile over in Port Jervis, second-year head coach Mark Trotta has instituted some changes. For the first time the Raiders have been enjoying an after school conditioning program.

“It was always Bob’s (former long-time coach Bob Corvino’s) philosophy that the kids should be encouraged to play more than one sport. ‘Let the kids be kids.’ And I basically agree. But we have to keep up with the others if we want to compete in our league,” Trotta, who once played for Corvino, said.

“So last year we were able to get more weights and more are coming. Our superintendent (Lorelei Case) has somehow found monies for us to expand our weight room as they’re improving our gymnasium, and we’re seeing much improvement.”

Trotta has also taken his kids to 7-on-7’s in Wallkill and over the river into Pennsylvania to battle with Keystone power Delaware Valley.  Another first.

“Wallkill has excellent skill players and Delaware Valley is one of the toughest big schools in their district,” the coach said. “We had a really good offensive outing the first time we played at DV. The second time our starting quarterback wasn’t there. Overall I was happy with our pass defense.”

The starting QB for the Raiders will be senior Chris Stawski (5-11, 165) who started as the jayvee quarterback two seasons ago. Last year knee surgery kept him out of action. The workhorse of the backfield will be one of the team’s two returning starters, senior Tim Crown (5-8, 160). The other returning starter is senior lineman Connor Bubigkeit (5-11, 260).

The team’s best athlete may be senior Joey Maillet (6-2, 185) who played football for the first time last year, returning kicks and playing some defense while learning on the fly.

Other key players will be OE/LB Chris Van Dunk (6, 210 senior), junior FB Trevor Capitano, junior RB Matt Berry and soph DB Chris Miller. Junior Andrew Smith will be at TE.

Joining Bubigkeit in the trenches are some big veterans: senior strongman Ken Conklin (6, 190), a guard, plus senior tackles Nick Goldschneider (6, 260) and Kirby Salazar (6-1, 260). All but Salazar were backups behind Port’s outstanding starting line in 2008. Salazar had left Port Jervis last year and played football in Kansas.

“We’ve been doing all we can to make ourselves competitive with teams like Cornwall and Wallkill,” Trotta concluded.

The Raiders open their season with a big Class A game against Saugerties at Glennette Field in PJ. The Sawyers were also hit very hard by graduation, but with coach Mike Melville’s feeder program also improving by leaps and bounds, Saugerties should soon be reaping its harvest. The question is just how far they’ll go this year with only a handful of returning starters.  Melville is reportedly pleased with what he's seen so far.

Tough FB/LB Mike Riozzi is one of five seniors who saw a lot of playing time last year. Also back are OG Zach Horton, WR William Valk, OLB’s Logan Steyer and Ben Sheber plus DB Will Clark.

Over at Rondout Valley, head coach Jim Malak has been sitting on 99 career wins since last September 19 when the Ganders defeated New Paltz, 28-6. Since then it’s been a string of six losses, including heartbreakers to league foes Saugerties (21-6), Port Jervis (16-6) and Goshen (14-13).

The Ganders will look for leadership from seniors like Chris Mason (WB/DB), John Kelder (WB/LB), Dave Bogart (QB/LB), Scott Wingard (G-DT), John Planthaber (G/DT), junior Felix Dejesus (WB/DB) and soph Paul Sommer (FB/LB). Nine years ago Rondout Valley won the state Class B title. It’s time for the Ganders to regroup and get airborne once again.  Opponents had better not overlook the Blue Birds in 2009 - assuming Rondout can field a team.  Low numbers and recent injuries have reportedly put the varsity program in jeopardy. 

UPDATE: Rondout has cancelled its 2009 varsity season.