When it comes to fierce competition, one would be hard-pressed to find any more top-to-bottom heat than what’s generated in SNF Class B. Much of it goes back to the old UCAL/MHAL rivalries amongst Highland, Marlboro, New Paltz and Red Hook. Then there are James I. O’Neill and John S. Burke whose rosters have an ebb-and-flow (or so it is often perceived by outsiders) during the off-season. Despite that similarity, these two Orange County teams have never been the best of buddies. Whatever the reasons, the six B teams really go at it.

Ed Van Curen, the new head coach at Burke, the only private school in the section that plays football with the publics, says, “Class B always seems like a dog fight every year. It’s always very competitive with good quality football. This year should be the same.”

The Eagles finished 3-3 in league last year and 3-6 overall. Thanks to a one-point, early season win over Marlboro, they made it to a B semi-final game. There, however, they lost to eventual champ Highland, 19-0. More on the Eagles in a minute.

Highland is still the team to beat going into this season. After edging New Paltz in the sectional final, Coach Carl Relyea’s Huskies return six starters on both sides of the ball for the 2009 season.

Offensively, Mike Fallatik (6-2 195) will be at HB with Josh Duggan (5-10, 180) moving in to replace Mike McCabe at FB. Receiver Jeff Matcham (6-1, 165) and TE Chris Gemmel (6-1, 235) also return. Cody Weaver (6-2, 175) and newcomer Mike Forte are wide receivers. Back on the line are center Rocky Perry (5-10, 225), guard Peter Behnke (6-1, 235) and tackle Ryan Birchall (6-3, 225). All are seniors except for junior Forte. Perry, Fallatik, Birchall and Behnke were ’08 offensive all-stars.

A pair of seniors, Matt Relyea (5-10, 150) and Scott Bolstead (5-11, 155) are vying for the starting quarterback slot.

The half dozen returning starters from last year’s stellar defense are Gemmel (DE), Perry (DE), Weaver (LB), Duggan (LB), Fallatik (DB/LB) and Matcham (CB). Duggan, Gemmel, Weaver, Fallatik and Matcham were defensive all-stars. Duggan was the league’s defensive MVP in 2008, recording 105 tackles, 10.5 sacks, a blocked punt, two defensive TD and a safety.

Overall there are 28 players back from last year’s team. This year’s squad again numbers well over 40 players.

The Huskies open their season Friday night at Marlboro in a big early Class B showdown.

James I. O’Neill opened last season with a 5-0 run. Then came injuries to their top all-star performers, QB Aaron Kilner and RB/LB Marshall Moten. Moten has graduated but Kilner, a four-year starter, is back under center and looking better than ever. Coach Tim Hendershot had 21 underclassmen on his roster last year. Missing this year, however, is all-star tackle Travis Torgeson (ACL).

Church Pfeil (6-3, 185) moves from a receiver’s spot to become the Raiders’ RB. On defense he’ll remain an OLB. Fellow all-star Marquis Camper (5-11, 265) will be back in the trenches along with R.J. Shrieve (6-2, 255), Chris Outing (6-5, 235) and transfer Tyler Slade. Mitch McKearn 6-3, 190) returns to TE/DE. All are seniors.

But an outstanding quarterback like Kilner needs some good receivers, and O’Neill seems to have a very good one in junior Wiggy Torres (5-9, 165) who will also play DB. Other wingbacks who will track down passes are junior Dax Gerber and Ryan Hitt, a pair of juniors. Senior Pat Doty will be a split end.

Despite his mid-season injury, Kilner still managed to complete 60-of-131 passes for 930 yards and 10 TDs. It’s scary to think of what a healthy Kilner with some speedy receivers can accomplish in 2009.

O’Neill hosts Chester this Friday night.

With only a dozen seniors, Burke was relatively young last year. That means a lot of players are back, and coach Van Curen is smiling. Van Curen replaces Jeremy Beamon who left to coach jayvee ball at his alma mater, Middletown.

The former and three-year defensive coordinator for the Eagles, Van Curen is happy to see all-stars Mark McNeilly (5-10 175 Junior) and Brian Conaty (6-2, 230 senior) among others returning to that side of the ball.

Offensively, senior QB Tim Pezzullo (5-10, 180) returns. With him in the backfield are FB McNeilly and senior halfbacks Bryan McClurg (5-10, 180) and Joe Willis (5-11, 190). The O-line features Conaty and fellow senior Nick Germain (5-11, 200) at the tackles, plus juniors Kevin Postiglione (6-2, 220) at center with Alex Day (6, 220) and Robert Malcolm (5-11, 200) at guard.

Senior John Denton (6-1, 185) is the kicker and will also play some OLB.

Several players will see action on both sides of the ball. Others who will see significant playing time are senior Pat McFadden (RB/DB); juniors Steve Willis (L), Jim O’Connor ((RB/DB) and Dan Shannon (QB/DB); plus sophomores Scott Fondacaro (FB/LB), Steve Tomaszeski (RB/OLB), Spiro Nanakos (OL/LB), Tom Sullivan (RB/OLB) and Brian Grosso (L).

“We have a great group of student-athletes this year who have been working hard during the off-season and continue to work hard now. Our focus will be one opponent at a time - one week at a time - one game at a time.”

Still, the Eagles probably can’t help but let a quick thought about September 26 slip through their minds. That’s when they have a very short road trip to play neighboring Goshen for the first time in football.

“It’s about time,” Van Curen said. “It makes sense to schedule Burke against Goshen since we are literally a mile from each other rather than have us traveling a distance for a non-league game. I’m looking forward to it and hope it is good for the town and the community. This is something we should be able to have a lot of fun with.”

Burke opens its season Saturday, hosting Millbrook.

Friday night should tell us a whole lot about Marlboro which, we hear, looked very good in last Saturday’s scrimmage. Last season the Dukes lost to champ Highland, 21-6, in week six.

Marlboro, 6-3 in ’08 but done in by that early season loss to Burke, didn’t make the playoffs. The Dukes return 15 players from last year’s roster. Six of those players were sophomores. Coach Bob Koonz is hoping that those youngsters can step up big time this Friday night when they travel to Husky territory.

Senior Maxx Faircloth, who saw some action in the spread last year behind Dean Marquis, will start at quarterback. Expect to see him do some running as well as passing. Senior Kyle Wimberly and junior Ben Cary will join him in the backfield to carry the ball and be receivers. All-star TE Frank Wedding will also be a main receiver.

Leading the offensive line are a trio of juniors in center Greg Carnazza and twin guards Nick and John LaMela. On defense Wimberly and Cary will play key roles from their LB positions.

With 18 underclassmen returning from last year’s roster, New Paltz is probably a lot better than coach Tom Tegeler is letting on. Junior all-star Jon Diaz is back and ready to quarterback the Huguenots again, but the backfield behind him is new. It includes senior RB’s Juan Rolon and FB Logan Peterson. Junior WR Eric Simonson may be Diaz’s prime target.

Back on the line are junior Kyle Roberts (6-1, 255 OT/DT), senior Gordy Pine (6-1, 230 G/DE) and senior Chris Seeger (OT/LB). Meanwhile Peterson will also be the MLB and Rolon a DB. Junior Tom Covino (6-3, 170) also saw a lot of action last year at ILB. And, of course, Diaz could step into the secondary if needed. Two years ago as a freshman he led the section in interceptions.

The Hugies are getting pumped up for this Friday’s opener at Ellenville.

Red Hook rounds out a league that has no discernible weak teams. Last year coach Chris Woods’ squad got hit early by injuries and floundered to a 1-5 Class B record. But that was last year. Returning this season are 17 underclassmen from ‘08.

Senior Greg Search is back to quarterback the team. Behind him will be the veteran senior RB duo of Matt McDonald and Mike Ross to take handoffs. Senior Ivan Carlson also returns to the backfield while senior Pat Meyer is a WR.

Senior Max Ross and junior Sam Migliorelli will anchor the defensive line. Mike Ross was an honorable mention all-star LB last year. Senior Shawn Pierce will also be a ‘backer. McDonald and Search will see time in the defensive secondary.

Red Hook looks to get back in the hunt this year. The Raiders open this Saturday at home against Goshen in a last minute non-leaguer.

Red Hook and Goshen lucked out. The Gladiators’ scheduled opponent, Rondout Valley, had to drop its varsity program while Red Hook’s opponent, Onteora, didn’t have enough players with sufficient practice time to play this Saturday. Red Hook and Onteora were going to scrimmage instead. Now Goshen and Red Hook can open their seasons on time.

Class B Onteora will be playing an independent schedule. The Indians should have a roster of about 21 when they’re eligible to play September 11 at Pine Plains.

“We now have a core group of kids who are excited to get started,” said coach Chris Kasprzyk.

Seniors Alec Chun (QB/LB) and Martin Szostak (L) will lead the team. Other stalwarts are juniors Danny Van Buren (TB/LB), Josh Dysard (RB/LB), Joe Friedel (L), Cody John (L) and soph Tyler Benninger (QB/LB).

“Our numbers are a little better this year,” Kasprzyk continued. “We have a full coaching staff now - nine. There are 24 on jayvee and there will be between 15 and 20 freshmen. Things are steadily improving.”

--- Phil Dusenbury