The Mineola High School varsity football team returns with experience and strength. Veteran head coach Dan Guido says, "We expect to make the playoffs. We have good overall team strength and athletic ability. We are also a smart team." Mineola was a New York State All-Academic team in 2001, and most of those players are back for another year. Once again this season, Coach Guido has experience among his chief assistant coaches in Helms Bohringer and John Tortora. The coaches have watched this group of players improve with each season, and now the squad is excellent blend of seniors and juniors. In profiling his team, Coach Guido had this to say about his returning players:

Rich Medlock sr., capt., athletic, with a strong arm.

Jim Holubowich, jr., strong, aggressive, 300 lb. bench press.

Mike Antoniou, sr., capt., two-year starter.

Dan Medlock, jr., athletic, excellent RB and DB.

Adam Minsky, sr., strong, 270 lb. bench press, 6'2", 200 lbs.

Ricardo Cunha, sr., strong and tough.

Dan Mehra, sr., tough and smart player.

George Harrison, sr., good hands, strong, 270 lb. bench press.

Matt Grilo, sr., two year starter.

Steve Ricciardi, sr., athletic, good hands.

Other players from whom Guido is expecting great contributions this season include:

Brian O'Neill, sr., receiver, DB, strong and athletic.

Brenden Canavan, sr., off. line, DE, strong, aggressive.

Chris Egner., sr., experienced player from last year.

Bill Mills, jr., off. line, DE, tough, aggressive, physical.

Coach Guido also pointed to another ten players to watch this season, who could go a long way in helping the Mustangs reach their goal of the playoffs. They are:

Mke Gonzalez, sr., OT/DT, good size.

Peter Averiamo, jr., center, DE, much improved strength after a good year in weight room.

Ivan Anania, jr., RB/LB, tough and aggressive.

Jerelle Harrison, jr., RB/DB, good speed and athletic.

John Boland, jr., REC/LB

Jon Zubbarriain, jr., REC/DB

Chris Boeshore, jr., REC/DB

John Ventura, REC/DB

Matt Bispo, sr., kicker

Two other players upon whom Coach Guido was counting are senior Dan Guido and junior Matt Mercurio, who may miss the season because of injuries. Guido, the coach's son, could get back by late in the season.

In looking at his schedule, the coach said, "We are in a new conference and play the toughest schedule because we are seeded #2 pre-season out of 14 schools. Island Trees is the #1 seed and on paper is the best team in the league. Island Trees is also Mineola's homecoming opponent. The coach assessed his team's chances this way, "Barring injuries, our team should be tough to beat. But, with only 23 regular players, depth is a problem. It should be a fun year."