Guy Buckley, the new head football coach at Eastport-South Manor High School, takes over a program that’s been on the upswing.
ESM went 1-5 in a shortened 2021 season, 2-6 in 2022, and 3-5 last season.
Buckley, who’s been an assistant coach since 2018, has a modest goal for this season.
He’d like to get to four wins, which would get the Sharks into the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
“We want to improve on last year,” Buckley said.
Buckley has some spots to fill on the roster.
Twenty-six players from last year’s squad graduated, including tight end/middle linebacker John Izzo, offensive lineman Matt Pompei, and all-county running back Daniel Odell, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Odell will be playing on the lacrosse team for Army West Point.
“That’s always tough to overcome,” Buckley said of losing so many seniors.
But it also means more playing time for this year’s senior class.
“I think they’re excited to get out there because they didn’t get much playing time,” Buckley said.
Buckley’s excited about players who are moving up from JV to play key roles on varsity, including slot receiver Cole Klein and running backs Joey Hershey and Philip Samuel III, all 10th-graders. Linebacker Joe Green and linemen Steve Pacella Gordon and Aidan Westra are expected to play major roles on defensive, Buckley said.
One key player returning for the Sharks is 6-foot, 197-pound junior quarterback Max Ferraro. Ferraro started at QB last season as a sophomore, and with another year under his belt and the work he’s put in the offseason, Buckley expects a confident signal caller who won’t hesitate to throw the ball down the field.
“Every time I look at him, I can’t believe I have him for another season,” Buckley said.
Ferraro won’t have to learn another offensive scheme because Buckley plans to use the same spread offense the Sharks used last season, when Buckley was offensive coordinator.
Joining Buckley on the sidelines are offensive coordinator Mike Farley and defensive coordinator Bruce Bentley.
DJ Eckert and Chris Vigliotta will coach the JV team.
The Sharks open the season on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Rocky Point.
The home opener is Friday, Sept. 20, against Half Hollow Hills West. Homecoming is Saturday, Sept. 28, against Harborfields.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here