The signs of a program’s improvement aren’t always going to hit you in the face in their obviousness.
Sometimes, they are subtle, but unmistakable in what they mean.
Like the fact that the Roslyn junior varsity football team won three games last season, while losing five. A very respectable record for a team that has been losing almost exclusively since it was re-started seven years ago.
Or the fact that according to senior Frank Moscati, a bunch of his friends were pleading with their parents to let them play football this autumn.
“These are kids who maybe play other sports at Roslyn, and want to be a part of our team now,” Moscati said. “That’s different. Definitely different.”
Yes, the signs are there that the combined Roslyn/Friends Academy team is on the way up. They won one varsity game last season, the first varsity win after 18 straight losses, and their participation numbers are up.
That, combined with the JV team’s success, has head coach Kevin McKeown feeling optimistic.
“It’s all about continuing to build the program,” McKeown said. We started seven years ago with just a JV program, and now varsity has been going for five years, and the kids are starting to see some results.”
The Bulldogs will again be led on offense by quarterback Ethan Yedvab, who returns after starting five of eight games last season.
The athletic Yedvab is adept at running and throwing and should make strides after another year of varsity play.
“I’ve been playing with him since middle school and he’s a good leader and puts in great effort all the time,” Moscati said. “We’ve got a good connection.”
Moscati is also a returner, at running back, with speed and shiftiness that makes tacklers miss.
Offensively McKeown also expects big things from Friends Academy junior wideout Winston Vance, who played some QB for Roslyn last season but now will be the No. 1 pass-catcher.
The offensive line lost all five starters, but return Donell Plummer and Chris Tsiolis, backups who now will fight for a starting job.
Additionally, McKeown is excited about the potential of junior Erik Singh, a two-year starter on JV at center.
“He’s not the biggest kid but he works harder than anybody,” McKeown said. “Just a great kid who is going to be a really good player.”
“We know it’s a different speed at varsity, but I think a lot of the kids coming up from JV will be ready,” Singh said. “With Ethan and Frank, there’s a lot of leadership on offense to help us.”
Defensively, the Bulldogs will have Yedvab and Moscati returning, as well as junior Joseph Skaf, a Roslyn wrestler who will suit up at linebacker, and junior defensive back Marius Ferraro, a junior who’s a standout lacrosse player.
“He’s small but maybe the best athlete on the team,” McKeown said. “Just super fast and can get to the ball quickly.”
Roslyn also possesses something not many high school teams have, and that’s a strong kicker. Junior Brady Bermant returns to boom kickoffs and, he told McKeown, the ability to make 40-yard field goals.
“He hits long ones in practice and can be a weapon for us,” McKeown said. “Field position is important and he can definitely help.”
How many wins Roslyn gets this season is of course, unknown, but the progress being steady is all McKeown is looking for.
“There’s a learning curve for a lot of these kids but I’m very encouraged by what I’ve seen in (the offseason),” McKeown said. “Being on the upswing is a nice feeling.”
Roslyn 2024 schedule:
Friday, Sept. 13, at Jericho, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 21, vs. Mepham, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 28, vs. Baldwin, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5, at Sewanhaka, 11 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10, at Glen Cove, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19, vs. Calhoun, 12 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26 at Roosevelt, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, vs. New Hyde Park, 11 a.m.