Valley Central’s varsity football team finished the 2009 season with a 5-4 record last season – but missed the playoffs after losing a must-win game against Minisink.

Many of the juniors on that team are now back as seniors, and the Vikings travel to Minisink Sept. 24 for a rematch to avenge that loss. The Vikings host Saugerties in the season opener Sept. 3, and a lot of work had already been done in the weight room over the past year before camp started last week to get ready for the 2010 season.

“We have an extremely dedicated group,” said Ron Introini, as he broke practice for a one-hour break last week.

Shane MacNamara, who towered over his offensive line last year, graduated, and Charlie MacDowell, only a junior a few months ago who played second base in the Vikings’ final four visit in the state AA baseball championships, will take over the quarterbacking duties for Valley Central.

MacDowell’s scrambling abilities will be matched by the return of Steve Pizzaro, whose breakaway speed out of the backfield was missed last season due to injuries.

MacDowell will get protection from Pat Griffin, an offensive tackle, who will also help open the lanes for Pizzaro. If MacDowell has that protection and the time, he will most likely look for an open Zach Adler to throw the ball to.

MacDowell, Griffin and Pizzaro, all seniors, will be joined by Kit Weiner and Xavier Lewis, senior defensive linemen who Introini will be counting on.

Weiner, a defensive end, had nine sacks last season in seven games. Lewis, a six-foot, six-inch, 340-pound nose-tackle, should put plenty of  pressure on opposing offenses to ensure MacDowell and company have the time and space to keep the Vikings in front on the scoreboard.

“We have a lot of experience coming back,” said Introini.

Valley Central opened the 2009 season hosting the Valley Bowl, a non-league neighborly celebration with Wallkill. Valley Central won that game 38-28.

But this year fans of the rivalry will have to wait until Oct. 22 for the rematch in Wallkill.

By Bond Brungard
sports@tcnewspapers.com