Sunday, September 28, 2014

Uno En Uno With: Logan Peters

As October bleeds into November and purified fall football mode is amplified, Yorktown's Logan Peters will keep his eyes peeled for one shiny souvenir. A piece of hardware, that is, which far outweighs any he's ever received.

At that projected time,Yorktown is slated to receive their 2014 New York State Lacrosse championship rings.

Playing the fiercest national schedule in recent memory, Yorktown snapped an 11-year state championship drought with a wild 10-9 victory over Jamesville-Dewitt at Hofstra University last June.

Ring day is sure to evoke memories of an unforgettable, unpredictable, and historic journey ride into the program's regal history.  There's a Section 1 championship in a wire-to-wire pelting of Byram Hills, a New York State semifinal victory over Long Island power Lynbrook, and a gritty and emotional state championship victory.

While Peters is certain to relish the day those glistening championship rings arrive, the Huskers' collective thirst for another title this fall is both insatiable and contagious.

Peters announced his presence immediately this fall, helping pilot a new-look team on both sides of the ball.

Consecutive defensive touchdowns via rip-and-runs sparked a Week 1 33-6 mauling of Eastchester.

As soon as Andrew Wasila stripped Eastchester quarterback Jacob Risi and provided a massive double block alongside Dan Delbene, Peters scooped up the loose ball and scampered 40 yards back to the house for a 13-0 lead.

It was a portent of things to come, as Yorktown delivered a Section-shocking upset of Somers in a 21-7 Week II resume win.

The Huskers entered this season drenched with more question marks than promise, more incoming mysteries than returning golden boys. In a scalding 4-0 start, the Huskers have let up 7+ points in just one game. No team not named Somers and not coached by the iconic Tony DeMatteo has given them a full, four quarters game.

A veteran senior and bruising offensive lineman, Peters' five-man wrecking crew has been tantamount to Yorktown's sublime ground attack.

 The offensive line of Peters, Joe Blume, Joe Costella, Richie Campanaro, and sophomore Steven Veteri have helped usher in the eruption of junior back Nicky Santavicca.

Santavicca, he of the long-lasting local bloodline, has blossomed into a fierce every down back. He's ran for 125+ yards the past three games, his coming out party a 155-yard gashing of Somers in Week II.

 Adding bulk in the off-season and training religiously with Somers legend Matt Deiana readied the shifty, agile, and explosive back for the rigors of the constant labor.

Fleeing from the shadows of 6-foot-3, 205-pound between-the-tackles hammer Connor Vercruysse, fullback Timmy Forbes has evolved into an instant linchpin in Yorktown's patented floor attack.

Ducking his shoulder and keeping his cleats moving, Forbes had a dazzling 43-yard jaunt that led to Baker's TD pass during Saturday night's 42-22 thumping of Brewster.

The  Huskers overcome a penalty-plagued erratic start. Santavicca rolled up 181 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. The theme of playing for each other and keeping individual desires dead again resonated.

Brewster overcame a listless start with a late passing game from quarterback Matt Catalano, but the carnage had been inflicted.

Yorktown quarterback Ryan Baker aired it out to the tune of 135 yards, including a touchdown fade to 6-foot-3, 210-pound tight end Delbene and a dart to Mike Dedvukaj, now known in CROP circles as "Mikey Legend."

The expectations are different than a lot of people's in the Section.

 A new set of goals and aspirations are heaped on this core, albeit they remain unspoken from week-to-week.

"Our expectations are different than a lot of people's in the Section," Rescigno explained.

"I think that our kids are different than most because they want to win but they don't even talk about that. We don't even talk about wins, we talk about playing for each other. That's the deal."

That's the tradition Rescigno has implemented during his 15 years at Yorktown.

That's the tradition the Huskers vow to respect with an unassuming, business-first mentality.

The grind will be frenetic for Peters and Yorktown during this short week. Slated for a Thursday matchup at Horace Greeley on Thursday, they'll have just three practice days.

Greeley's centerpiece is an explosive double-duty threat in senior quarterback Cameron Ciero, a Super 11 selection known for his fleet of foot and vaunted throwing game.

...

Early mistakes incensed the Huskers on Saturday.

They're cognizant the penalties must be eliminated, especially in a Week 5 barometer of this caliber.

 And while Yorktown must shore up those gaps and gaffes, a 4-0 start and a new angle of motivation each week has sustained the laser-focus.

The past few seasons, graduation has claimed a decorated and veteran-laden senior-class from the Huskers.

 The skeptics surfaced this summer, when the Huskers graduated vital pieces such as All-Section halfback Eric Meyreles, tight end/defensive end Ricky Corrado, fullback/defensive end Vercruysse, and a pair of interchangeable and blurring backs in Nicky Bonitatibus and Kris Alvarado.

Despite the seismic roster shift and changes of weapons in the arsenal, despite the plethora of unknowns hovering over Yorktown's head prior to the 2014 campaign, the Huskers have displayed the layered depth and attributes of an elite program.

Next stop, Horace Greeley.

The matchup has a unique subplot. The Quakers are coached by Tim Sullivan, who happens to work at Yorktown High School as a guidance counselor.

Greeley's game general has the Huskers' transcripts, but does he have their talent and an effective scout on this upstart 4-0 program?

Peters On The Huskers Blazing Start

We try to stay level-headed and keep everyone calm. We make sure we are accomplishing our main goal, having fun. But most pivotal is how we come together as a family and ultimately play for each other.

On The Winning Mentality

For our football players who had the chance to play lacrosse last season, and experience the feeling of going all the way, there's nothing like it. I feel it helps, because when you've experienced being at the top...settling is never an option.

On His Role This Season

I'd like to start by saying I hate speaking about personal attributes or individual desires. That being said, I was never known as a defensive player and now I have that opportunity to play at this level. It is not only a great experience but a whole lot of fun. From an offensive standpoint, I'm just trying to give our super explosive and powerful backs just a little but of room to break through the line. As far as my sole function, I remind the team that we're here to have fun. 

On Summer Workouts, Early Bird Team Running Sessions

The running sessions do a tremendous amount for our team. I would bet we are one of the best conditioned teams in the Section. But that's due to all of what we do, not just the running sessions every day on practice. Playing three sports, and a lot of us are multi-sport athletes, it is what keeps our endurance up.