Sharp Turnaround Expected for Blue Devil Football
Forget about last year's 2-6 season. The Huntington High School football team sure has. The Blue Devils are expecting a sharp reversal of fortune this fall, with All-County running back Calvin Bollar leading a large number of returning starters.
Huntington was seriously hampered last year when then-sophomore quarterback Dan Plant was sidelined with an injury. Bollar was pressed into service as the team's signal caller and while he did yeoman's work, taking him out of his regular position seriously undermined the Blue Devil offense.
"Calvin is a powerful and explosive back who makes things happen when he takes the ball," said Steve Muller, who is 84-46 in 14 seasons as head coach. With Plant back at full strength and doing well in early season practices, Bollar has returned to his running back position and the team is much stronger.
As a freshman on the junior varsity squad, Plant shined at quarterback. He had been penciled in as the 2009 starting varsity QB until a devastating lacrosse injury prevented him from ever suiting up last fall. "We're excited to have him back on the field," Muller said.
While Bollar's talents are well-known across Suffolk, Huntington has numerous offensive options. Junior Trayvon Toney, who played fullback last fall, returns to the backfield and will be the team's middle linebacker on defense, as well. Junior Tyre Brown is also expected to contribute heavily to the Blue Devil offense as an experienced slot back
Senior receivers Will Coffey, Matt Poellnitz, and Ryan Mulligan will compliment the running game of Bollar and Toney on offense. Junior Thomas Mulligan showed much promise as a receiver during off-season summer catching workouts and 7-on-7 scrimmages.
Huntington's line is bigger, stronger and faster this season with another year under its collective belt. Returning linemen include seniors, Richie Fernandez, CJ Herrington and Dante Allen. Juniors Brandon Fiordelisi, and Jack Forster add depth and talent to the line corps.
Muller will also look to a handful of younger players who helped the junior varsity compile a 6-1-1 mark last year under coaches Ron Wilson and Cable Todd Jamison. They include juniors Conor Reilly and Jared Thorbourne and big sophomore Devon Nelson, who "can run the ball tough in between the tackles," according to Wilson. Nelson is so strong that he can possibly help Toney shore up the middle defense as a second middle inside linebacker.
The coaching staff is pleased with the team's effort through the first two weeks of practice. "We'll put a competitive team on the field," Muller said. "Talk is cheap. You still have to go out, play hard and win games. Talking doesn't win games."
Extra Points: Muller will be assisted by Tim Madden and Joe Poller . . . Huntington was outscored last fall, 168-95 . . . The Blue Devils' two victories came against Harborfields (27-7) and Miller Place (28-21) . . . Huntington lost to Islip (35-7), Deer Park (17-6), Eastport-South Manor (20-7), Kings Park (21-6), Sayville (16-0) and Half Hollow Hills West (31-14).
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