It’s unfair to ask a coach how a team compares with its predecessor. If he says it’s better or worse, he’s sure to offend someone.
At Monday’s varsity football practice, Coach Mike Connolly handled the question deftly. He said the Dragons have a bigger offensive line than last year, and several returners up front on defense.
“We don’t have as much speed,” the coach admitted, “but we’ll work things out. You may see us run the ball more.”
Last year the Dragons won their first 11 games, before losing to Queensbury in the state semifinals. Cornwall started the season with a one-sided victory over Amsterdam in the Carrier Dome at Syracuse, and was hoping to return to Syracuse for the state championship.
2014 RECORD
Amsterdam 50-7
Cardinal Hayes 34-7
Marlboro 20-7
Goshen 63-6
Monticello 60-6
New Paltz 40-0
Poughkeepsie 54-6
Wallkill 26-6
New Paltz 47-7
Port Jervis 40-0*
Rye 21-17**
Queensbury 21-28***
* Section championship
**Regional championship
***State semifinals
The Dragons have been working four days a week in the weight room and on the field. At the start of a padless drill on July 27, Jason Bailey showed a quick release in lofting the ball over the head of a charging defender. Despite the pressure, Jason’s tosses were right on target.
Coach Eric Holzapple worked with receivers on a pattern where they lined up outside and cut back over the middle. The play worked well on several occasions last year.
After a lean decade in the 90s, the Cornwall gridders have been successful for the last dozen years under the leadership of four different coaches.
WON-LOSS RECORDS
2002 4-5
2003 9-2 section champ
2004 6-3 third in section
2005 8-3 section champ
2006 11-2 state finalist
2007 10-1 section champ
2008 9-2 section champ
2009 9-3 region champ
2010 8-2 runner-up
201110-2 region champ
2012 11-1 region champ
2013 10-2 region champ
2014 11-1 region champ
The team starts two-a-day practices on Aug. 17 and scrimmages at Warwick on Saturday morning, Aug. 29.
