Despite all of the program’s success on the ice in the last five seasons, head coach Jim Mancuso was not retained by Scarsdale.

I don’t get this one.

How do you spend any time around Jim Mancuso and fail to recognize that he dedicated 25 years to building a reputable hockey program, that he consistently held athletes to a higher standard, that he now has a small army of supporters in spite of the old-school approach. I’m thinking Scarsdale athletic director Ray Pappalardi made a regrettable mistake in letting him go. 

Citing a lack of communication as the primary issue was dishonest at best.

And now the Raiders have a divide in the locker room because the move was motivated by parental complaints. Scarsdale is left with players who are going to miss the passion of Mancuso and players who believe they have a better chance to be named all-league with him gone.

Sad.

Related: Former Scarsdale coaches speak out after firings

Here is a writeup from a Tuesday conversation with Mancuso:

It’s standard procedure for coaches to conduct a post mortem with school officials after each season. According to Mancuso, no issues were raised when he met with Pappalardi earlier this year.

They met again last week.

“I was terminated on Tuesday, met a new grandson on Wednesday and had a birthday on Thursday,” Mancuso said. “It was a pretty short conversation (with Pappalardi), ‘We’re not going to bring you back.’ I was told some people had complained about a lack of communication.”

The news circulated quickly, and the 67-year-old who makes a living in sales began receiving phone calls, emails and text messages from players and parents he’s come into contact with over 25 years.

“I told them, ‘Listen, I was in the paper, but my name wasn’t in the obituaries,’ ” said Mancuso, who’s long ranked among the wittiest coaches in Section 1. “I was on a different page. The outpouring of support has been tremendous. I have some emails that would make you cry.”

Mancuso served as an assistant for one season before taking over and slowly built the program. The Raiders eventually began to compete with traditional powers like Mamaroneck and Suffern, winning Section 1 championships in 2014 and 2015.

Related: Four varsity coaches out at Scarsdale

Over the last five years, Scarsdale went 82-33-3.

The school also decided last October to expand the program, added a junior varsity team. It’s a move that required a fair amount of scrambling.

“I know that I like to do things my way,” Mancuso said. “I also do some things other people’s way. I always try to do things the right way. That was the goal. I was fair to everybody, whether he was the world’s leading scorer of some kid on the fifth line. We all follow the same standards and guidelines, otherwise there is chaos.”

He will miss the players who competed and eventually and the parents who volunteered to fundraise and support the program.

Mancuso is a throwback. He is loud when there’s a breakdown, demanding when the effort slips and passionate about playing the game the right way. According to parents who did not want to be named because their sons are still part of the program, the only controversy this season came after the all-league picks were made.

At least one family responded by complaining to school officials about Mancuso.

“I’m not throwing anyone under the bus,” Mancuso said. “You win with class. You lose with class and you hold your head up.”

There have been numerous pleas to school officials to reconsider the move to dismiss Mancuso, and he would likely come back if asked.

“It’s not an easy decision, but I probably would,” he said. “I have this ideal, I like to keep things black and white. Trouble lies in the gray areas. If we could get to where there’s a mutual benefit for everyone involved, I think I would go back.”

In spite of questions that remain unanswered, the four Scarsdale High School varsity coaches who have exited this summer said that they are trying to move on.

In a surprising house-cleaning, athletic director Ray Pappalardi recently informed ice hockey coach Jim Mancuso, baseball coach David “Doc” Scholl and softball coach Dave Scagnelli that they were being fired. Each had coached at Scarsdale in some capacity for at least 24 years.

Amid speculation that he, too, would be fired, boys lacrosse coach Brendan Curran showed himself out, resigning because he felt “it was a good time to walk away.”

Brendan Curran, the former Scarsdale varsity lacrosse coach, talks to his team as the played against John F. Kennedy High School May 15, 2004. Curran resigned from his second term as Scarsdale boys’ lacrosse coach last week.

“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Scholl said. “The outpouring of support has been nonstop, from players from the ’90s to the current team. Part of me is relieved. It’s time to move onto other things that I want to do. I just feel bad for the boys. We had a lot of seniors coming back next year.”

Related: Four varsity coaches out at Scarsdale

Related: A final talk with Jim Mancuso

Pappalardi and Superintendent Thomas Hagerman have declined to comment on the specific reasons for the changes, with Pappalardi stating in an e-mail to The Journal News/lohud that, “As this is a personnel issue, I cannot comment directly.”

Public school administrators are not legally obligated to provide explanations for the firing of high school coaches.

“Although it can be very frustrating for parents and students, there is no law that requires school board officials to provide the reasons for a personnel decision,” said Emily Gold Waldman, a professor of Law and associate dean at Pace University. “In fact, there are often legal restrictions pertaining to the confidentiality of personnel matters that preclude them from doing so.”

While the coaches, parents and students have expressed disappointment in the lack of transparency, others defended the moves. Pappalardi took over as athletic director last summer after eight years as the AD at Edgemont High School, and indicated that his first year would be used to evaluate all coaches.

“I have full faith in Ray and his decision-making,” said Kathy Coleman, the former president of the Maroon and White Club and a current board member. “I can’t imagine that anyone that’s not there now is totally shocked that they’re not there. Ray’s not that kind of guy that’s going to blindside you. He did his research. He took his time to go a year with all of these coaches before he made any of these decisions.”

In an e-mail to The Journal News, Hagerman noted that “coaching assignments are made on an annual basis,” adding, “Under Ray’s leadership, we will have clear, consistent and high standards for all coaches.”

The fired coaches have stated that they were kept in the dark about any potential changes and that no issues were raised at their end-of-season meetings with school officials.

“The challenging thing for me is that I noticed in (The Journal News) article they talked about we hold our coaches to certain standards,” Scholl said. “Being there for many years, we’ve always tried to maintain our standards. But if something changed with those standards, we should have been told. No one told us anything. I just wanted the opportunity to work on these goals that they have and grow as a professional.” On the day he was let go, Scholl said that administrators brought up that he did not start all seniors on the team’s annual Senior Day.

Mancuso described the conversation in which he was informed of his firing as “pretty short,” and added that, “I was told some people complained about a lack of communication.”

“I know that I like to do things my way,” Mancuso said. “I also do some things other people’s way. I always try to do things the right way. That was the goal. I was fair to everybody, whether he was the world’s leading scorer or some kid on the fifth line. We all follow the same standards and guidelines, otherwise there is chaos.”

Former Scarsdale softball coach David Scagnelli congratulates Denise Villaneuva at third base during a game against Ursuline on May 9, 2000. Scagnelli will not return as head softball coach at Scarsdale next year.

Scagnelli declined to comment on the meeting in which he was fired, but said, “I’m disappointed that I didn’t get reappointed and I’m looking forward to continue coaching in another district. I coached for 25 years at the high school level, and I plan to continue that until I retire.”

In some instances, parents and students have made pleas to the school to reconsider the firings. And while that scenario seems unlikely, Mancuso said he would be open to the possibility of returning to the Scarsdale bench.

“It’s not an easy decision, but I probably would,” he said. “I have this ideal, I like to keep things black and white. Trouble lies in the gray areas. If we could get to where there’s a mutual benefit for everyone involved, I think I would go back.”

Twitter: @vzmercogliano

Mike Dougherty and Mike Zacchio contributed reporting. 

We will reveal the 2016 Super 11 on Sept. 7 by releasing one name per hour beginning at 11 a.m. Much like last year, those honorees will be announced and introduced on lohud.com and various social media accounts, including  the lohudsports Facebook page , the  Varsity Insider  and  lohudsports  Twitter accounts and on Snapchat and Instagram by @lohudinsider.

Super 11 logo.

Looking Back: The 2014 Super 11

Looking Back: The 2015 Super 11

Thomson: What goes into naming the Super 11?

On Friday, I revealed the 25 players who are finalists under consideration to be named Super 11. You can find the complete list — including each player’s credentials — by clicking here, viewing our photo gallery of the finalists above or watching our sports editor Leif Skodnick discuss them below.

Twitter:  @lohudinsider

New Nyack football coach Dominick DeMatteo meets with players at the end of their first practice of 2016. At Nyack MS. DeMatteo, who coached nine seasons at Arlington, is the son of Tony DeMatteo, Section 1’s all-time winningest coach.

Putnam Valley football players work on drill during the first day of practice.

Archbishop Stepinac High School’s football team go through drills during practice in White Plains on Aug. 24, 2015.

New coaches are the hot story in high school football, as Section 1 schools hit the field for the first practices of the 2016 season on a day where temperatures will near 90 degrees and the humidity will make it feel almost 100 degrees outside.

Josh Thomson reported earlier that Irvington would do a film session and would not practice outdoors due to the heat, and around Section 1, many teams aren’t on the field or taking precautions to protect athletes from heat-related illness.

The NYSPHSAA has set rules regarding practice in hot weather based on the heat index as measured by accuweather.com. At 11:20 a.m. Monday, it was 82 degrees in White Plains, but the heat index was 94. When the heat index is between 91 and 95, players are not allowed to practice in protective equipment other than helmets. If the heat index rises to 96 or above, outside practices are not permitted.

Thomson (follow him on twitter @lohudinsider) will be in Nyack, where the Indians are hitting the field for the first time under new head coach Dominic DeMatteo. He’ll also make stops at Croton and Irvington.

THOMSON: Croton, Irvington take steps to save football

WEATHER:  More heat, storms likely this week

RELATED: Meet the 25 finalists for The Journal News/lohud Super 11

Mike Zacchio (@Zacchio_Lohud) is visiting Hastings, which has combined its program with Clark Academy. They’re trying to rebuild under new coach Anthony Fiorelli. He’ll be visiting Ardsley later in the day.

FOOTBALL: Ardsley seeks redemption after season was ‘cut short’

FOOTBALL: Fiorelli looks to ‘change the culture’ at Hastings

FOOTBALL: Langella’s fun, up-tempo game a draw for Mahopac football

FOOTBALL: Progress ‘day-by-day’ as new Croton staff begins rebuild

FOOTBALL: Despite graduation losses, Putnam Valley coach optimistic

FOOTBALL: DeMatteo relying on experience in Nyack debut

FOOTBALL: White Plains is getting up to speed with Lindberg

THOMSON: Heat, humidity force football teams to scramble

Vincent Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) is in White Plains, where the Tigers will be introducing a new system under new head coach Mike Lindberg. He’ll also be snapchatting on the @lohud account from practice at White Plains and Byram Hills, where he’ll stop later in the day.

Up in Mahopac, Nancy Haggerty (@HaggertyNancy) will be visiting the Indians’ first practice under Mark Langella, who takes over as head coach after retiring as a coordinator two years ago. Afterwards, she’ll be stopping by Putnam Valley.

Twitter: @LeifSkodnick

Nyack’s assistant coach James Case during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Dominick DeMatteo, Nyack’s new football coach, leads the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Dominick DeMatteo, Nyack’s new football coach, leads the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Nyack High School players work on drills during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Dominick DeMatteo, Nyack’s new football coach, leads the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Nyack High School senior Christian DiSimone works on passing drills during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Nyack High School players work on passing during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Nyack High School sophomore Parker Stemkowski, left, and senior Christian DiSimone work on passing drills during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Dominick DeMatteo, Nyack’s new football coach, leads the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Nyack junior Sahmeer Tassy drinks water during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

Nyack High School players work on drills during the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

NYACK – With hungry players seated in the Nyack Middle School cafeteria, Dominick DeMatteo, always talking, circled them just before they lined up for lunch. He spent that first real practice break Monday booming encouragement into their ears and preaching the importance of staying energized and hydrated. Yes, there was football, but he also reminded them to eat and drink water.

What some coaches may consider basic human functions were just two of countless points of emphasis for DeMatteo. No detail was lost — or has been deemed too small — in his debut as Nyack’s new football coach.

“He’s giving us more instructions and we’re doing more talking, but it’s OK,” senior Dante Frazier said. “That will help our younger kids.”

The players new and old have been the center of DeMatteo’s attention since he was hired in late May. Nyack started its offseason program late and will now face a season of field conflicts as its new stadium is constructed at the high school. Yet he remains unfazed by the many obstacles.

“I think one of the most important things I bring to the table as a first-year head coach at Nyack is that I’m not a first-year head coach,” DeMatteo said after Monday’s morning session. “I was a head coach at Arlington for nine years and I’m going into my 20th-something year coaching. I’ve been at a variety of places that have their own share of obstacles. I think the bottom line is preparation and communication. You have to have a plan well in advance and communicate that to your staff so everyone is ready.”

FOOTBALL: Ardsley seeks redemption after season was ‘cut short’

FOOTBALL: Fiorelli looks to ‘change the culture’ at Hastings

FOOTBALL: Langella’s fun, up-tempo game a draw for Mahopac football

FOOTBALL: Progress ‘day-by-day’ as new Croton staff begins rebuild

FOOTBALL: Despite graduation losses, Putnam Valley coach optimistic

FOOTBALL: White Plains is getting up to speed with Lindberg

THOMSON: Heat, humidity force football teams to scramble

SKODNICK: Practice begins indoors for many Section 1 schools

Dominick DeMatteo, Nyack’s new football coach, leads the first day of football practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Nyack Middle School.

DeMatteo’s organizational bent was a key component in his hiring. The Indians not only needed someone to replace coach Mike Ramponi, who left to become the athletic director at Ardsley, but their roster was gutted by losses to graduation. DeMatteo referred to the program being at “Ground Zero” because of the extent of turnover this offseason.

“He’s not overwhelmed,” said Joe Sigillo, Nyack’s athletic director. “I think when you’re confident in your abilities and you have experience, challenges don’t overwhelm you. To his credit, he’s found positives in them, which is more of a credit to how prepared he is, how much he knows the game and what a great influence he’s going to be on these kids..”

The district’s three-phase construction project has progressed – as chronicled by Sigillo’s Twitter account — but the main stadium that will host football won’t be completed until next season. The team will play one last fall at its iconic home, MacCalman Field, but the ongoing construction will force Nyack to hold practices at the middle school and on MacCalman, a natural grass surface prone to wear and tear.

“In lieu of what we’re going to get in terms of the stadium and the turf at Nyack High School, this is well worth it,” DeMatteo said.

He has decided to keep the varsity and JV together for at least this week and maybe longer. Their juggling will be much more evident when modified practice begins later this summer.

“We have to make do with what we have,” senior Christian DiSimone said. “We can’t look at it in a negative way. We just have to keep the positive vibes going and get everyone hyped for the season.”

For DeMatteo, it will be a season unlike any other. Not only has he taken on a new challenge at Nyack, he will also watch from afar as three of his former assistants — Mike Lindberg (White Plains), Doug Carpenter (Byram Hills) and Michael Morano (Arlington) — ascend to head coaching positions.

Amid all of this morning’s activity, he said they have already given him a sense of accomplishment — even on Day 1 of a new season.

“I feel great about the fact it, especially in an era where it’s difficult to get quality people to commit to coach for a variety of reasons,” DeMatteo said. “To have all three of them be head coaches the same year I’m at a new place is really cool.”

Twitter: @lohudinsider

Sophomore Eli Jones, 15, works on passing drills during the first day of practice Aug. 15, 2016 at Hillside Elementary School in Hastings-on-Hudson.

HASTINGS ON HUDSON – At the end of Monday’s morning practice session, head coach Anthony Fiorelli was in the middle of talking to his Hastings football players about the team’s afternoon practice when senior Michael Gibbons interrupted him and addressed his teammates.

“Nobody ditches this next practice,” Gibbons said, before warning players that if they missed the practice, “it’s going to be a real problem.” Soon after his captain spoke up, Fiorelli echoed those remarks with his own ultimatum: “If you leave, don’t come back.”

That’s the kind of atmosphere Fiorelli has tried to establish in his first year at Hastings, which is combining with Clark Academy for its football season again this year. The team’s primary focus is to “change the culture,” Fiorelli said, and it starts with Day 1 of practice.

“It’s been pretty rough here,” Fiorelli said of the program’s recent history, which includes a 5-25 record over the last four seasons. “It’s going to take some time, but these are some good kids. It’s hard, it’s hard to change the culture.”

FOOTBALL: Ardsley seeks redemption after season was ‘cut short’

FOOTBALL: Langella’s fun, up-tempo game a draw for Mahopac football

FOOTBALL: Progress ‘day-by-day’ as new Croton staff begins rebuild

FOOTBALL: Despite graduation losses, Putnam Valley coach optimistic

FOOTBALL: DeMatteo relying on experience in Nyack debut

FOOTBALL: White Plains is getting up to speed with Lindberg

THOMSON: Heat, humidity force football teams to scramble

SKODNICK: Practice begins indoors for many Section 1 schools

Gibbons was doing his part to lead by example on and off the field. When he wasn’t giving pep talks to teammates next to his pick-up truck during water breaks, Gibbons was helping to push players on the field in a positive way.

When a teammate finished last on back-to-back sprints, Gibbons positioned himself next to the player and told him, “You run with me.”

Fiorelli has armed the team with an all-star coaching staff that includes former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Kwazi Leverette, former Croton-Harmon head coach and two-time state finalist John Catano, and Hastings alum Matt Adipietro to help rebuild the program.

“We want to make sure we’re on a campaign for success,” Leverette said. “Everybody basically has to commit to a goal. The goal is to be a part of a team. The team has a goal, which is to be successful and win football games.”

Players are already buying in to the coaching staff’s emphasis on team unity.

“People will get nervous they will just leave in the second half and you’re like, ‘C’mon, man, we’re out here putting in all the work for this so we can become a successful program,’” third-year varsity senior center Daniel Iaciofano said, describing past years. “If you have the heart, you will stay. If you don’t, then why are you even playing?”

Twitter:  @Zacchio_LoHud

Mahopac High School football player Shane McDonald drinks from a jug during a break in practice at the school Aug. 15, 2016.

Mahopac High School football players practice at the school Aug. 15, 2016.

Mahopac High School football player Andrew Ryan cools off with a bag of ice during a break in practice at the school Aug. 15, 2016.

Mahopac High School football player Andrew Ryan cools off with a bag of ice during a break in practice at the school Aug. 15, 2016.

Mahopac High School football players practice at the school Aug. 15, 2016.

MAHOPAC – There’s a new sheriff in town in Mahopac. But it’s more like the deputy has just earned a bigger badge.

After a two-year break from serving as the Indians’ 14-year defensive coordinator, Mark Langella has returned to become head varsity football coach following Tom Donahoe’s retirement.

And Langella is wasting no time making changes.

No, the 80-percent-blitz defense he helped develop won’t change.

Langella “keeps that as religion,” senior quarterback Andrew Ryan quipped. And Langella said, “Any success here is based on that style.”

FOOTBALL: Ardsley seeks redemption after season was ‘cut short’

FOOTBALL: Fiorelli looks to ‘change the culture’ at Hastings

FOOTBALL: Progress ‘day-by-day’ as new Croton staff begins rebuild

FOOTBALL: Despite graduation losses, Putnam Valley coach optimistic

FOOTBALL: DeMatteo relying on experience in Nyack debut

FOOTBALL: White Plains is getting up to speed with Lindberg

THOMSON: Heat, humidity force football teams to scramble

SKODNICK: Practice begins indoors for many Section 1 schools

But the former Irvington head coach (1995-2000) has overhauled Mahopac’s offense.

While Langella was once a “bump and grind coach,” once is the optimum word. Gone is the wing T. In is the spread and with it a much more up-tempo approach.

“It’s definitely more modern,” Ryan said. “More throwing, more fakes.”

And, Langella, who said he was a “little frustrated” when he took his two-year hiatus, hopes the change will lead to more fun.

That’s a main part of his plan – add fun and, in turn, attract more players to Mahopac football.

It already seems to be working with 56 players on the varsity squad.

“It’s a more versatile offense – more option pass,” Langella said. “We have to draw kids back to football.”

That means to football in general and Mahopac football in particular.

Langella said the program has suffered losses with parents moving kids away from football over concussion concerns. But he remarked much of the information parents receive concerns the NFL, where “these guys get millions of dollars to tackle any way they can.”

Mahopac emphasizes not leading with one’s head and Langella, who spent the last two years developing players for the Mahopac Youth Sports Association football program, noted that organization has donated a lot of equipment to the high school team this year to allow for more proper tackle training.

“They have gone out of their way to support the new coach,” he said.

But Langella is also promoting underclassmen, explaining that in past years Mahopac has lost top players to Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains and even to Don Bosco in New Jersey.

“A lot of kids didn’t see acceleration,” he said. “I believe in the best athletes playing.”

Langella has five sophomores on the roster. In fact, he’ll have an all-sophomore/junior linebacking corps.

But Langella thinks the key to his team’s success will come from the defensive line, where he’s expecting big things from senior Dino “The Rhino” Milazzo, who’ll also play fullback.

He’s also counting on a major contribution from senior free safety/corner Robert Hoyt.

Hoyt likes Langella’s approach. That included a spring/summer “Indian Pride” program through which players sold team sponsorships to businesses in town and performed community service, participating in the Relay for Life cancer fight fundraiser and planting flowers at Carmel Town Hall.

“It brought the whole team closer,” Hoyt said, adding simply planting the flowers together helped forge a “brotherhood through the team.”

Mahopac head coach Mark Langella during a practice at the school Aug. 15, 2016.

He noted players worked out together every weekday through the summer, lifting weights two days, doing conditioning two days and taking reps on the field one day.

“I’m very optimistic. There are a lot of changes I’m excited for,” Hoyt said.

Ryan also shares that excitement, believing the Indians should be looking at no more than a two- or one-loss season.

Langella isn’t making predictions, saying only, “It’s an opportunity to run it my way. We’ll see what happens.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

White Plains High School players work on drills during the first day of practice at White Plains High School Aug. 15, 2016.

New White Plains coach Mike Lindberg, a former star lineman at Clarkstown South who had been a longtime assistant at Arlington leads football practice at White Plains High School on Monday, Aug. 14, 2016.

White Plains High School players work on drills during the first day of practice at White Plains High School Aug. 15, 2016.

WHITE PLAINS — It’s been an offseason of uncertainty and transition for the White Plains football program, but Monday was the time for the Tigers to put all of that behind them.

Mike Lindberg took over for longtime coach Skip Stevens in April, and his new players are getting a crash course on what he’s all about.

“It’s definitely different,” senior Angel Rivera said. “Coach Lindberg is completely different from coach Stevens — from the weight room and how he’s getting everybody in, and how he has the practices set up. Every single little thing is different with coach Lindberg, and it’s nice to learn different things like that.”

Lindberg was most recently an assistant at Arlington High School under Dominick DeMatteo, but he has previous head coaching experience at Our Lady of Lourdes. He was also a standout offensive lineman at Clarkstown South before becoming an All-American at Marist University.

THOMSON:  Mike Lindberg lands coveted White Plains post

FOOTBALL: Ardsley seeks redemption after season was ‘cut short’

FOOTBALL: Fiorelli looks to ‘change the culture’ at Hastings

FOOTBALL: Langella’s fun, up-tempo game a draw for Mahopac football

FOOTBALL: Progress ‘day-by-day’ as new Croton staff begins rebuild

FOOTBALL: Despite graduation losses, Putnam Valley coach optimistic

FOOTBALL: DeMatteo relying on experience in Nyack debut

THOMSON: Heat, humidity force football teams to scramble

SKODNICK: Practice begins indoors for many Section 1 schools

He acknowledged some “growing pains” as he gets to know his new team — and as they get to know him — but he’s trying to make it easier on them by simplifying during this first official week of practice.

“ I don’t want to flood them with too much information, so a lot of times I find myself scaling back,” Lindberg said. “I’m more looking at quality than giving them too much at once. I really want them to be able to feel comfortable. You play a lot faster when you’re comfortable in a situation.”

Under Stevens, who stepped down in January after 15 years of coaching to accept a position as field marshal for the school district, the Tigers were Section 1 champions in Class AA as recently as 2013.

They’ve taken a few steps back since then, going a combined 3-15 in 2014 and 2015, and they’ll lack experience at key positions this coming season.

“We have kids that were on varsity, but not a lot of game-experienced kids,” Lindberg said. “I think we’ve definitely got some good talent — we just have to get them all working together. We have a lot of kids that run great, but they don’t really understand what the line is doing, so they’re missing the cut or missing the hole. The linemen are not understanding the combos or trusting each other’s abilities. We just have to get everybody to mold together.”

The defense, led by Rivera and Nando Spista, is expected to be the strength of the team, and Lindberg is stressing physicality in the running game on offense. They’ll be breaking in a new quarterback in Chris Schiavone, but Lindberg thinks they have the backs to ease the burden on the signal-caller.

Ultimately, Lindberg believes the biggest key to righting the ship at White Plains will be “accountability” among the players.

“Once the kids buy into what the coaches are telling them, and once they become accountable to each other, I think the talent is here to make us successful,” he said. “It’s just getting everybody on the same page. I think once we do that, the wins will come.”

It’s early, but the message seems to be sticking.

“Our coach definitely made that clear to us that we have to lead,” Spista said. “It’s not always him — it’s mostly the players. It’s our team, not his. We make things go.”

Twitter: @vzmercogliano

Returning All-Section lineman Constantine George pushes tackling dummy out of way during defensive rushing drill at Putnam Valley.

PUTNAM VALLEY – New Putnam Valley head varsity coach Ryan Elsasser is a fan of his predecessor.

Of Matt Mello, he said, “He put Putnam Valley football on the map.”

At only 27, Elsasser is young for a head football coach. But if he wants advice from his mentor he won’t have to look far: Mello, who stepped down because of time demands associated with his pursuit of an administrative degree, is staying on as junior varsity coach.

“He cares about the program,” Elsasser said of Mello. “I think this will be a very smooth transition.”

Still, the Tigers are facing one uphill battle – replacing 22 graduated seniors from a team that went 6-3 and came up just short in the Section 1 Class B semifinals against Nanuet.

Putnam Valley is down about five players to 35 this year. But Elsasser, who was the team’s offensive coordinator last year after running the Tiger D for three years, is optimistic.

“We were known (last year) just for consistency on both sides of the ball,” the former Walter Panas High baseball and football (tight end/defensive end) player said. “We came up with big things when we needed to. I think we’ll be able to do the same (this season).”

FOOTBALL: Ardsley seeks redemption after season was ‘cut short’

FOOTBALL: Fiorelli looks to ‘change the culture’ at Hastings

FOOTBALL: Langella’s fun, up-tempo game a draw for Mahopac football

FOOTBALL: Progress ‘day-by-day’ as new Croton staff begins rebuild

FOOTBALL: DeMatteo relying on experience in Nyack debut

FOOTBALL: White Plains is getting up to speed with Lindberg

THOMSON: Heat, humidity force football teams to scramble

SKODNICK: Practice begins indoors for many Section 1 schools

One big reason is All-Section defensive and offensive lineman Constantine George. If not for his height (5-7-plus), he’d be a D-I recruit, according to Elsasser.

Still, smaller schools are after George and Elsasser predicts he’ll be the section’s lineman of the year.

“He’s dedicated,” Elsasser said. … “He’s strong as an ox. He’ll be a success whatever college he plays for.”

Of George’s influence at the high school level, Elsasser said, “A lot of teams have to make their offenses and defenses play around him.”

Elsasser is also expecting good things from other seniors, including Rudy Gonzalez and Alex McDonald, both defensive backs and receivers; Nick Singer, a tight end and defensive back; and safety/running back Marc Beck, who Elsasser said has “busted his butt this off-season.”

Only a handful of starters are back but Elsasser said, “We have a lot of athleticism come through our ranks – a lot of multi-sport athletes. Those skills carry over to football.”

Among other players to watch are sophomore fullback/linebacker John Listwan, sophomore defensive end/tight end Darnel Shillingford and junior quarterback Travis Anderson.

Putnam Valley football players do drive-and-carry drill during Monday’s practice..

Anderson got some snaps last year and Elsasser considers him “crafty.”

“He can run the ball,” he said. “He can throw. He has good vision. We’re looking forward to see what he can do this year. He’s a tough kid.”

George is looking forward to the season, remarking he expects “really good things.”

“A lot of players worked in the off-season. There’s a lot of heard hitters and talent,” he said, noting his goal is a section title.

Elsasser would, of course, like that, too.

He knows Mello is a tough act to follow and that people will be watching.

“It’s going to be a battle this season to see what new coach makes a name for himself,” Elsasser said

“It’s an honor to know Coach Mello and the district and (Athletic Director) Brian Burrow had faith in me. I will not let them down.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Scarsdale’s soccer player Kate Donovan on the first day of practice at Scarsdale High School on Aug. 22, 2016.

Scarsdale’s soccer player Hayley Rozencwaig on the first day of practice at Scarsdale High School on Aug. 22, 2016.

Soccer logo

SCARSDALE – During the first day of soccer practice at Scarsdale High School, Hailey Rozencwaig already knew what to expect for the second.

“I think everyone’s year here revolves around soccer, so I’ll have people coming up to me saying, ‘OK, I need to get ready for next year’s tryouts,’” said Rozencwaig, a senior captain. “I think everyone just really enjoys soccer season and really wants to be able to do well.”

The Raiders, always striving to improve, began their season Monday as if it had already started. Despite the loss of a few key starters on its back line, Scarsdale has high expectations for 2016 after a busy offseason geared toward preparing the players to hit the ground running.

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“We’re doing the typical routines of the first day,” Rozencwaig said during Monday morning’s conditioning testing, “but does it feel like the first day? Not really.”

The Raiders had over 70 players attend tryouts for their varsity, varsity B and JV programs and they believe that depth will allow them to overcome the loss of three all-section players: goalkeeper Carly Glickenhaus, defender Eryn McDonald and defender/midfielder Zoe Epstein.

Scarsdale’s soccer coach Mindy Genovese, right, talks to Lucy Glickman and Kate Donoan on the first day of practice at Scarsdale High School on Aug. 22, 2016.

While Scarsdale returns strong in the middle and up front, it may require some juggling to solidify the defense.

“They really anchored the team because they were there for four years,” coach Mindy Genovese said of the graduated stars. “We’ll be rebuilding there, but we think we have other kids who can step up.”

Genovese stressed the team’s versatility and cited all-section honorable mention pick Kate Donovan as one player who could rotate from midfield to defense. Donovan is one of four senior captains along with Rozencwaig, defender Erica Schapse and the versatile Lucy Glickman.

“Everyone on our team either is or learns to be very versatile around the field,” said Rozencwaig, a center midfielder. “You could ask anyone to go up front and play forward and they would do a great job. You could ask anyone to go back. I think that’s what made our team so great.”

Scarsdale soccer players do some strength exercises on the first day of practice at Scarsdale High School on Aug. 22, 2016.

Scarsdale finished last regular season 12-2-2 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Class AA tournament. Its championship aspirations were dashed prematurely with a 2-1 home loss to No. 10 New Rochelle in the quarterfinals that the coaches and players won’t soon forget.

“I think it’s really good motivation for the returners,” Genovese said. “They don’t want to go out with that feeling anymore, especially because we lost to one of our league rivals — even though (New Rochelle) played really well.”

As another promising season begins, that playoff memory will serve the Raiders a reminder of how one subpar day can undermine all their effort.

“We were so ready and it was really just an off day for us,” Rozencwaig said. “It was a team that I guess we underestimated. I think it shows that this year we can’t underestimate anyone. We really need to work our hardest no matter who we’re playing against.”

Twitter: @lohudinsider

THIELLS – The big cliché in sports – well, one of many big cliches, anyway – talks about taking things a “game at a time,” never looking down the road to a game or opponent well in the distance.

This, of course, means never ever talking about championships during the preseason.

So call new North Rockland boys varsity cross-country coach Chris Lent a rebel.

“I feel we’re a sleeper,” the former five-year modified cross-country coach said during Monday’s opening day of practice. “I really hope to make big waves, open eyes and be like a big surprise and win the league, county, section and, hopefully, go beyond.”

Beyond, of course, would be States, and maybe more.

“I think as a team we can make it all the way to Federations and maybe even NXN,” junior Patrick Tuohy said, referring to the Nike Cross Nationals.

It’s an ambitious plan for a team that, hampered in part by injuries, fell well short of its goals last fall, failing even to finish among the top three in Rockland.

But having lost only one runner to graduation and with roughly 40 boys on the team, including Tuohy, fellow junior Ryan Guzinski and senior Dylan Serino, who gained All-State honors during winter track and All-Section honors last spring, Lent has reason to be optimistic.

New North Rockland varsity boys cross-country coach Chris Lent (r) speaks to team Monday.

He calls those boys the “big three.”

And all three have big plans for the team.

“We’re looking to stay healthy and start fresh,” said Serino, who missed part of the past cross-country season with a foot stress fracture.

“We’re a lot hungrier and willing to work hard and get the job done,” said Guzinski, who considers 2014 and ’15 county champ Pearl River the Red Raiders’ chief obstacle to a Rockland title and Arlington as the same for the Section 1 crown.

North Rockland’s Ryan Guzinski, Dylan Serino and Patrick Tuohy

But obstacle doesn’t mean roadblock and Tuohy, citing team leadership and bonding, said, “I think this year is definitely going to be a good one.”

Lent, who played some of his preferred heavy metal and hard rock as an adrenaline-enhancer, put Tuohy and his teammates through 5K time trials Monday to get an idea of where the team stands.

“It’s 100 percent I’m looking for – not 99, not 98,” he told his team. “As long as you give 100 percent, you’ll see the improvement.”

With his Red Raiders possibly running well into November.

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Mamaroneck alum Andreo Otiniano, left, and Yonkers senior Nicole Frascati won the annual Section 1 grass doubles tournament at Walter Panas High School on Saturday.

Yvette Burcescu (5) of Walter Panas shows determination in the match against Burnt Hills in the Class A State Volleyball Finals at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Sunday November 22, 2015. (Codee Carlisle)

Panas Sabrina Patriciello, passes the ball during a two-game sweep of Kings Park at the state volleyball championships on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Panas’ Lauren Feeley goes up for a spike during a two-game loss to Burnt Hills at the state volleyball championships at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

Hen Hud’s Zoe Staats returns a shot to Owego during the Class B regional final between Hendrick Hudson and Owego at John Jay High School in Cross River, Nov. 14, 2015. Hen Hud lost to Owego in five games.

Haldane defeats Shelter Island 3-0 in the NYSPHSAA Class D state regional semifinal volleyball game at Pelham Memorial High School on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. Haldane won 25-7, 25-9, 25-20.

Yorktown High School defeated John Jay 3-0 in the sectional semifinal match at John Jay High School in Cross River on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.

Yorktown defeated John Jay 3-0 in the class A semifinal volleyball game at John Jay High School in Cross River on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.

Game action between Ardsley and Nanuet High School Section 1 Class B quarterfinal volleyball at Ardsley High School on Nov. 3, 2015.

Scarsdale swept Ursuline, 25-20, 25-16, and 25-23 in volleyball action at Scarsdale High School Oct. 20, 2015.

Scarsdale swept Ursuline, 25-20, 25-16, and 25-23 in volleyball action at Scarsdale High School Oct. 20, 2015.

Scarsdale swept Ursuline, 25-20, 25-16, and 25-23 in volleyball action at Scarsdale High School Oct. 20, 2015.

From left, Hen Hud’s Kristin Loh (21) gets a shot by Walter Panas’ Shauna O’Flaherty (11) during volleyball action at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose Oct. 8, 2015. Panas swept the host 3-0.

Hendrick Hudson swept all three games from visiting Yorktown during volleyball action at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose Sept. 10, 2015.

Hendrick Hudson’s Kristin Loh (17) gets a shot by Yorktown’s Toni Fiore (15) and Macey Dresek (10) during volleyball action at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose Sept. 10, 2015. The Sailors took all three games.

Ardsley plays in the NYSPHSAA volleyball pool play Class B semifinals at the Glens Falls Civic Center Nov. 15, 2014.

Panas’ Julianna Bottarini (1) prepares to serve during the 11th Annual Panther Invitational Volleyball Tournament at Walter Panas High School in Cortlandt Manor on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

North Rockland’s Madison Monahan (4) returns to New Rochelle’s Madeline Smith (42) during the game at North Rockland High School in Thiells on Sept. 2, 2014. New Rochelle won the first two sets.

Every year, the Journal News/lohud selects a list of the top returning players in each sport, with our annual football list — commonly referred to as the “Super 11” team — has become one of the biggest announcements during the preseason each fall. While we will still announce a list of seven players for volleyball, I’ve decided to make things a little more interesting by naming 15 finalists a week before the final list is unveiled.

The “Super Seven” will be announced Monday, Aug. 29, which is when all of the volleyball preseason preview information will also be published. In the meantime, please check out the 15 “Super Seven” finalists:

Players cool down after the morning session of the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

Tappan Zee sophomore Jorge Umana during the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

Tappan Zee junior Joe Stahl during the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

Coach Job Jacobs leads the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

Tappan Zee senior Jack Samett during the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

Players cool down after the morning session of the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

PEARL RIVER — Once the handshakes were completed and the Pearl River boys soccer team had shuffled back onto the bus following its Class A semifinal win over Eastchester last October, everyone’s attention immediately turned to their cell phones.

Rockland County rival Tappan Zee was playing perennial Westchester power Byram Hills in the other semifinal, and the Pirates were anxious to see the result.

“I remember we were on the bus after we played Eastchester at the World Class field (in Orangeburg), and we were all going on Twitter,” senior striker Craig MacDonald said. “We saw the tweet that TZ had won in overtime, and we went crazy. It was huge. To play the team right next door in one of the biggest games that we’ll play — you dream about that.”

Pearl River prevailed over the Dutchmen in the Section 1 final, breezing to a convincing 3-0 win on its way to the state championship game. The title marked the first for the Pirates since 1995 and resulted in a team which will go down as arguably the best in school history, but Monday marked the start of a new chapter and a new season.

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Less than five miles away, Tappan Zee was gathering for its first official practice of 2016. The Dutchmen still carry the sting of the disappointing loss, but their accomplishments were also noteworthy. Just three years prior, they were among the worst teams in Section 1, and they had never previously reached a Section 1 championship game.

Not too long ago, Westchester teams were considered the alpha dogs in the Class A landscape, with programs such as Byram Hills, Port Chester and Lakeland usually considered the preseason favorites.

Now the power may be shifting across the Hudson River into Rockland County.

“Westchester teams in the past have always been seen as the upper echelon of Section 1,” Tappan Zee senior Jack Samett said. “But now that two Rockland teams were in the final last year, I think people are going to start paying more attention to us.”

Pearl River and Tappan Zee combined to go 35-6-2 last season and ended up sharing a league title, although the Pirates clearly got the last laugh.

Pearl River coach Damon O’Keefe (left) participates in practice on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016.

There is no love lost as both teams enter a new season with high expectations — “This year,” Pearl River coach Damon O’Keefe said, “we have full intentions of winning the league outright” — but there is also undeniable reverence.

“The respect is through the roof,” O’Keefe said. “We respect Jon (Jacobs) and his group a lot. Coach Jacobs is great. What he’s done with that program over the last few years has been phenomenal.”

Not only do the coaches speak highly of each other, but the players have similar feelings from playing in various offseason leagues together.

“We know a lot of those kids, like Joe Stahl and Jack Samett,” Pearl River senior Kevin Doorley said. “I’ve played with them for a while, and it’s great. It’s even more fun when you know them. After, you get to talk about it and be friends with them. It’s different on the field, but once you get off it, you’re back to being friends again.”

Both teams have holes to fill coming off of a memorable year, but there is no question that they remain viable contenders in Class A.

The Pirates will have several new starters after graduating a strong senior class, but they were noted for their depth last season and O’Keefe feels like he has players who are ready to step into more prominent roles.

Coach Job Jacobs leads the first day of soccer practice at Tappan Zee High School Aug. 22, 2016.

The Dutchmen will need to find some offense after losing their top scorers, but their defense will remain one of the best in Section 1 with a few highly-regarded returners in Stahl, Samett and Sam Gould.

“We have to find some depth on that bench, but we really feel that the first 11 guys we put out there can compete with anybody,” O’Keefe said. “As long as we can mentally, emotionally and physically stay within ourselves, I think we have a good chance.”

The rest of Rockland County has some catching up to do. Suffern and North Rockland should be competitive in Class AA, while teams like Nyack, Nanuet, Spring Valley and the Clarkstowns are coming off of down years.

They can look to Pearl River and Tappan Zee as examples of how to turn things around, and they can thank them for putting Rockland County soccer back on the map in Section 1.

“I don’t think there’s a bigger rivalry in Section 1 than TZ and Pearl River,” Jacobs said. “Growing up a Tappan Zee graduate, it’s something that I’ve been a part of for the better part of 20 years. It never gets old. Having two capable teams so close to one another just makes it that much more special.”

Twitter: @vzmercogliano

Pearl River girls cross-country team works out with light weights after doing its official first run of the fall season.

PEARL RIVER – Dan Doherty has headed the Pearl River girls cross-country team since 1978. It doesn’t take a calculator to figure out this is his 39th season.

So why is he back?

“Bad habits are hard to break,” he explained with a small smile.

One habit his team would like to break is coming in second. That’s a recent habit.

No one has had more success than Doherty and his runners, who’ve won 22 Rockland County Championships during his tenure.

But the past three years, they’ve placed second.

His kids believe that will change this year.

“I expect us to be real strong and win the section and go to States as a team,” said Mary Borkoski, a sophomore who has already proven herself to be one of Section 1’s top runners.

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This will be Borkoski’s third year on the cross-country team and she’s taking it seriously. She and her teammates trained together five days a week from the beginning of July.

“Hard work pays off,” she said. “If you run hard the whole summer, you’ll do good throughout the year.”

It’s not that Borkoski and others are taking a county or section championship for granted. Far from it, in fact.

She pointed to last year’s county champ, North Rockland, as being strong again and to class section champ John Jay-Cross River as also being in the mix, although she noted one of its top runners, Gemma Nuttall, has graduated.

That, she indicated, could open a door.

“We haven’t lost anyone and we’re going to come back strong,” said Borkoski, who was fourth in last year’s Rockland County Championships, third in the Section 1 Championships and 11th at the state meet.

Other Pirate runners expected to make an impact include seniors Kaitlyn Harding, Grace Raffa and Ailish Durcan, juniors Ann McCormack and Erin Clinton and sophomore Jess McDermott.

McCormack, who was eighth in the Section 1 meet and ran at States, said, “I think we’re pretty deep. Everyone on this team is capable of really great things and I truly believe that.”

“I think the team works really hard and we push each other. As long as we keep doing that I think we’ll be unstoppable,” she said.

Pearl River boys look strong despite high turnover

Pearl River’s boys team won the Rockland County Cross-Country Championship in both 2014 and 2015.

But no one is looking at 2016 as a slam dunk.

The Pirates have lost 16 seniors from last year’s group, including four of their top eight runners.

And this year’s squad is expected to include 25-30 members, down a little from the team Mike Kiernan coached last season.

But Kiernan has some returning aces, including one who can be characterized as a great known/unknown.

Junior Matt Politis has an impressive resume from the track, where, among other things, he won last year’s Section 1 state 1,600-meter qualifier and was sixth in the mile at the New Balance Nationals.

He intended to run cross-country last year but missed the entire season because of a back injury.

“It’s a learning process,” Politis said of cross-country. “But I’ll have plenty of time to learn how to run before the championship meets.”

Kiernan isn’t worried.

“It’s a big deal,” he said of having Politis in the lineup. “Last year, if not the top guy, I expected him to be at least in the top two or three guys.”

But others stepped up.

Current sophomore Brian Mahoney was second at the county meet thanks to his amazing kick that took him from 13th to second in the last stages of the meet.

While that finish was thrilling, Mahoney characterized the decision to wait to move up as “stupid” and said he has learned from it.

Kiernan is counting on another good year from him and from sophomore Pat McCann, who ran a 9:50 outdoor spring two-mile, which was second at the county meet.

“The front three are very good,” he said.

But there’s more depth.

Members of the Pearl River boys cross-country team during Monday’s official first workout.

Sophomore Brendan Harding’s 17:28 run during last fall’s Section 1 Championship came from out of the blue and was key in Pearl River winning the title.

“His race, by far, was the best. That’s why we won that meet,” said Kiernan, who pointed to sophomores Jack Reynods and Hugh Durcan as other top competitors

Kiernan isn’t dismissing the impact of losing so many veterans and said North Rockland could surprise a lot of people and Suffern should have some depth.

He also pointed to Somers as being very strong, noting it returns six of seven starters.

“They’re the favorites on paper right now – but not by much,” Kiernan said.

And while Pearl River has officially lost 16 seniors, maybe Somers, North Rockland, Suffern and other schools should consider looking at it Kieran’s way.

Of having Politis in the mix, Kiernan said, “It’s a nice mental addition to have back. It’s like we’re not losing one of the seniors.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Iona Prep football practice in New Rochelle on Aug. 22, 2016.

Iona Prep football practice in New Rochelle on Aug. 22, 2016.

Head coach Joe Spagnolo goes over plays during Iona Prep football practice in New Rochelle on Aug. 22, 2016.

Head coach Joe Spagnolo, center, goes over plays with his team during Iona Prep football practice in New Rochelle on Aug. 22, 2016.

NEW ROCHELLE – When Joe Spagnolo accepted the head coaching job at Iona Prep in January, it intensified the Sept. 17 game against Stepinac, even with the game still months away.

Neither side has ever needed added incentive in their long rivalry, but Spagnolo’s departure from Stepinac to become the Gaels’ head coach has added some.

The teams moved a step closer to their anticipated clash when the CHSFL opened preseason camp Monday, yet players from both sides seemed more focused on themselves rather then the renewal of their rivalry.

“I don’t even think about that,” Stepinac junior Trill Williams said. “I just think about our first game against Cornwall. We just think about it one game at a time.”

That is probably a simpler task for the Crusaders, the two-time defending CHSFL AAA champs. They were 24-1 the last two seasons with Spagnolo as the offensive coordinator. They boast a varsity roster of 65, including a handful of returning impact players like Williams and seniors DeVante Reid, Antonio Giannico, Devonte Myles and Gene Brown, among others.

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Spagnolo opened his first official practice at Iona Prep with his own strong core of returners, including players who were thrust into key roles last season due to a rash of injuries. The team only expects to start six seniors from a modest-sized class, highlighted by quarterback Mike Apostolopoulos, running backs/linebackers Rodney Samson Jr. and Lamont McGriff as well as lineman Josh McGugins. The team also returns nine players who played as sophomores; their experience will be vital.

The varsity numbers dipped into the low 30s last year, but the Gaels now have 45 on varsity after the coaches and returners recruited players back onto the field.

“I’m really excited where we are this year,” junior Johnryan Freeman said. “We hit the ground running with high intensity. We got a lot done very quickly. At this point, we have in most of what we’re doing, so a lot of it is fine-tuning and getting things game-ready for Week 1.”

Just like last year, being game-ready means preparing for the two toughest challenges on their schedule. Iona Prep will travel to Brunswick and then host Stepinac in its non-league games. Those two opponents left the Gaels depleted last year and they never recovered. Spagnolo hopes to better navigate the tough early schedule by being prepared for the physical and mental test — and, yes, by having some injury luck.

“We break our season down into three seasons: the non-league games, the regular season and the playoffs,” he added. “If we can get out of there with some confidence and playing well, the rest of the season should be positive.”

Iona Prep football practice in New Rochelle on Aug. 22, 2016.

Stepinac needs no such shot of confidence. The Crusaders have dominated the CHSFL with their speed and athleticism the last two seasons and they don’t expect anything less now.

The offense must prove it can replace Tyquell Fields at quarterback and rebuild the line. The ongoing quarterback competition between juniors Michael Nicasio and Tyler Winston will determine who is tasked with finding touches for Giannico, Williams and Sleepy Hollow transfer Jonathan Gomez in the backfield and Reid and fellow seniors Brandon Gasparre and Tyger Winston.

“We’re definitely ready,” said Myles, a three-year starting defensive back. “It’s just work now. There’s nothing more to it. Everybody is working hard as a team.”

The Gaels appeared to operate with equal rhythm on Monday afternoon despite a complete turnover of the coaching staff. To get ready, Spagnolo hosted a quarterback camp, a team camp and summer workouts in addition to installing offensive plays for passing scrimmages.

Knowing the challenge ahead better than anyone, he wasn’t quite content. Not yet, anyway.

“I think we had a really good, productive summer,” Spagnolo said. “From a familiarity standpoint we took care of a lot before we walking in today, but we still have a long way to go.”

Twitter: @lohudinsider

High school athletes in the Lower Hudson Valley have hit the practice fields, and the fall season will soon begin.

All next week, The Journal News/lohud will be running season previews of fall sports by our high school sports writers.

Volleyball: On Mon., Aug. 29, Mike Zacchio’s volleyball season preview will be available in print and on The lohud Volleyball Blog.

Field hockey: On Tues., Aug. 30, Nancy Haggerty will take a look across the field hockey scene. You can follow her coverage all season long on The lohud Field Hockey Blog.

Iona Prep football practice in New Rochelle on Aug. 22, 2016.

Football: Beginning and 11 a.m. and continuing throughout the day on Aug. 30, Josh Thomson will reveal the Super 11 – the top 11 football players in the Lower Hudson Valley. Look for the full list in the Wed., Aug. 31 print edition of The Journal News.

Boys soccer: On Thurs., Sept. 1, Vincent Z. Mercogliano will have preview the upcoming season in print and on The lohud Boys Soccer Blog.

Girls soccer: Our staff will team up to provide a preview of the upcoming girls soccer season online and in print on Fri., Sept. 2.

Cross country: To round out the previews, Nancy Haggerty will have a look around the cross country scene on Sat., Sept. 3.

Follow @lohudsports on Twitter and Facebook throughout the season.

In the meantime, visit The lohud Varsity Insider Blog for all the latest news from football practices around the area, and check back daily with our blogs and at lohud.com/sports for updates from the high school sports scene.

The Lakeland/Panas boys and girls cross-country teams are practicing at Downing Park in Yorktown on Aug. 22, 2016.

The Lakeland/Panas boys and girls cross-country teams are practicing at Downing Park in Yorktown on Aug. 22, 2016.

From left, Senior Matt Sayre and his sister Brooke Sayre during The Lakeland/Panas boys and girls cross-country team practice at Downing Park in Yorktown on Aug. 22, 2016.

Senior Matt Sayre during The Lakeland/Panas boys and girls cross-country team practice at Downing Park in Yorktown on Aug. 22, 2016.

YORKTOWN – Matt Sayre pushed up the hill that was part of a loop in FDR State Park as if he were running on flat ground. His long, colt-like legs never broke stride.

Before Lakeland/Panas’ early-evening workout concluded, he logged more than seven miles. But he was clearly not only capable of doing more but also willing to do so.

“Matt’s work ethic inspires,” girls first-year coach Rosalind Gallino said.

Gallino, a longtime indoor and outdoor track coach, has already made changes to the way the Lakeland/Panas girls cross country team functions.

Point one: Prior to this year, Sayre would have been inspiring only his fellow boys; the girls practiced separately.

But Gallino and boys coach Ryan Johnson share the same ideology, she said, so working together makes sense.

Already, on Monday, during their teams’ first official workout of the season, the coaches knew almost all the athletes’ names – both boys and girls.

Some names are easy to remember, like Sayre and Grace Bugara. Chances are even the youngest kids on the team know her name because the senior beat most of the boys around FDR.

Gallino said that meant many boys would try to pick up their pace Tuesday.

“We make each other better,” she said.

If the Lakeland girls get better, watch out.

Last year, they beat 23 other teams to win the Westchester County Championship.

Bugara finished fourth in that race, but Bugara, who plans to run in college, has trained all summer and looked better than early-season strong Monday.

Gallino listed a handful of teams to watch out for, including Ursuline, John Jay-Cross River and Bronxville.

Bugara took the question of competitors region-wide and pointed to North Rockland and Suffern as posing a significant challenge. But the four-year varsity cross country runner, said, “I think it’s great they push us. I love to run with them. I think it’s a great motivation when I’m racing.”

Grace Bugara during The Lakeland/Panas boys and girls cross-country team practice at Downing Park in Yorktown on Aug. 22, 2016.

The emphasis is on “us,” according to Gallino.

“The whole focus is to work more as a team than as a group of individuals who show up to race together,” Gallino said, pointing to a large group of both girls and boys doing post-run exercises together as Johnson instructed.

Johnson thinks his boys can finish top-three in the county, although he added a cautionary “We’ll see” to that.

Besides Sayre, who was fifth in the Section 1 3,200 state qualifier and sixth in the 1,600 qualifier last spring, Johnson cited two other seniors, Reed Friel and Konrad Biederman, as likely substantial contributors, along with sophomore Carlos Vasquez.

Of the improving Sayre, who was 48th at cross country States last fall, he said, “I’d like to see him top-10 in the state. It’s a lofty but realistic goal. He came on strong in track last year.”

Besides Bugara, who wants to return to States, where she was 48th last fall and who was 12th in the mile at the prestigious Penn Relays, Gallino’s stable of athletes includes senior Maggie McCarthy, whom she constantly urged on as McCarthy chased Bugara around the FDR loop.

Her other top returnees are juniors Claire Smith and Jenna Pressman.

Seniors Vanessa Buetti and Maura Coakley and seventh-grader Brooke Sayre (Matt’s sister) are considered strong candidates to round out the top seven who’ll normally race.

Bugara is optimistic, saying she thinks her team has a great chance to qualify for States, believing “all the girls are going to step up.” And she’s certainly willing to work to enhance Lakeland/Panas’ chances.

“I want to pull my part for this team. I want us to get farther than we did last year,” she said, adding of her dedication to the sport, “I love to run. I love the feeling of success at the end.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy