The Glen Cove High School varsity football team began practicing on Aug. 20 in preparation of the season opener held on Sept. 11 against Great Neck North HS. The teams played a rare Tuesday afternoon game to due to the earlier than usual holiday.

The Big Red is seeded 11 out of 14 teams in Nassau County Conference 3. The young squad, fielding six sophomores, 10 juniors and 10 seniors, has high hopes of earning a playoff berth. A grueling summer practice schedule had the team working on their skills 18 sessions in 11 days.

The team will be led by senior tri-captains Ariel Bresky, Wilmer Alfaro and Nick Martino. A preview by position of the Big Red 2007 lineup follows.

Offense:

Backfield - Passing the ball will mainly be done by Captain Ariel Bresky, Anthony Collins and Eric Tripp, although junior tailbacks Andrew Brown and Kaliym Beatty have shown they can sling the pigskin. Returning senior fullback Tim Maher and sophomore Doug Tripp are expected to help open holes for the backs as well as carry the ball behind the Big Red's powerful wedge. Wingbacks Anthony Passalacqua, Dean Montesano and Joe Fiorino round out the backfield and will be asked to block, carry the ball and receive.

Receivers - Senior Captain Nick Martino and senior Steven Rogers will combine with the wingbacks to be pass-catching targets for Bresky and the other backs asked to throw. Tight ends Lewis Linares, Ryan Zupa and Dan Mahoney have the dual role of blocking and running patterns.

Line - The key to every team that plays football is its line. This year's squad could be the biggest group that has put on helmets for the Covers in many years. The starting guards are senior Captain Wilmer Alfaro, 5 foot 9 inches and 288 pounds, junior Jesse Martino at 6 foot 2 inches and 242 pounds. Center Chris Palmisano, who will be entrusted with the all-important single wing snap, is 5 foot 8 tall and 221 pounds. The tackles are manned by senior Rich McGrady, 6 foot 4 inches and 295 pounds and sophomore Dan Belfiore at 6 foot 1inch and 240 pounds. Tight end Linares bookends the big squad at 5'10 263. The next group in starts with Georgios Metskas 6'3 308 and Scott Michaleas 5'9 213.

Defense:

Line - the Big Men McGrady, Alfaro, Belfiore and Metskas flip over and man the trenches. Lean and quick Brendan Higgins is expected to add speed to this group of behemoths.

Linebackers - A bevy of players are fighting to start as Lightnings and Storms. Montesanos, Rogers, Zupa and junior Pat Cook at the outside spot and Collins, Doug Tripp and sophmores Pete Cappiello and Davin Plummer at the inside spot. The middle of the field will be patrolled by Maher and Linares.

Secondary - Protecting the air against opponent passes will be aptly secured by Beatty, Bresky, Fiorino, Brown, Martino and Passalacqua.

A big plus this year will be the kicking game. The leg of Eric Tripp along with his holder Joe Fiorino and snapper Ryan Zupa promise to add a weapon to the team's offensive strategy.

The first two games of the season are crucial to the team's success. The opener at Great Neck North and the first home game on Sept. 23 against New Hyde Park are against teams with comparable seeds. Fan support at both games is appreciated and needed.