Williamsville North football
Spartans gain attitude adjustment
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Eric Dahlman, middle, and Fawzi Abdelhay, right, will captain Williamsville North varsity football. T.J. McDuffie, far left, should be one of the Spartans' featured offensive weapons. Photo by Joe Eberle

Williamsville North finished 3-6 last year, its worst record since 2001. But there's a big reason why North coaches and players say that won't happen this fall.

"We said one of our downfalls last year was that we were selfish in many ways and these kids made a point of not bringing attention to themselves (this year)," said North head coach Mike Mammoliti. "I think this year we have a very cohesive group of guys. They've known each other since little league. One of my assistants said the first week of practice was one of the best first weeks that he could remember. There's no egos."

"You can't win when everyone wants to do their own thing but this year, we're more of a team and will have a better result because of it," said senior quarterback Eric Dahlman.

"We're really unselfish this year," added senior fullback/ linebacker Fawzi Abdelhay, a returning Class AA Second Team all-star. "We look after each other. We want to do better. Everybody's jumping in and filling in spots (in practice) if they have to."

Dahlman and Abdelhay, both captains, are two of several returning veterans on a team which is 46 players deep, the most since Mammoliti took over as head coach in 2001. Also back are three-year players T.J. McDuffie (running back) and Brian Davis (fullback/linebacker) as well as two-year players Michael Moore (running back/linebacker) and Joe Aquilino (wide receiver/corner back). All are seniors. Moore is a returning First Team division all-star. McDuffie, Abdelhay and Dahlman are Second Team division all-stars. Aquilino was division Honorable Mention.

"We're very athletic," said Mammoliti. "We've got really good team speed. And they're all vets. Most of them at the skill positions are seniors and been with us two and in some cases, three years."

Dahlman threw for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He said he has improved his footwork since last season from attending offseason camps at Syracuse University and University of Maryland. His throwing arm has also improved from lifting weights, he said.

"He had a great offseason," said Mammoliti. "He worked tremendously hard in the weight room and has a great command of what we're doing."

McDuffie, who ran for 800 yards last fall before sustaining a knee injury, has a clean bill of health.

"He's taken more of a leadership role this year," said Mammoliti. "His knee is healthy. His speed has been consistent as ever. He's going to be a big-time guy."

Senior Evan Bryant (division Honorable Mention) should start at tight end. Also vying for a starting wide receiver job is freshman Jim Gaines.

Senior Ben DeSoye is the only returning lineman with varsity experience. Sophomore Jerome Fields, who played JV last year, is also in the mix as is senior Max Zimmerman.

"Up front it's too early to tell," said Mammoliti. "We're working different guys in."

North opens its season at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1 at West Seneca West then travel to Lancaster for a 7:30 p.m. start Friday, Sept. 8. Mammoliti said he will know how his team will fare with their performance in both games.

"Those are physical teams so it will be interesting how we match up against them," said Mammoliti.

"It's important how we get out of the gate (and) how we play from the physical nature of the game with young kids up front because a lot of them are really young. There's a big difference between JV and varsity between strength and speed. That will be a test."

"We're definitely more of a team ythis year," said Dahlman. "Last year, we were young, this year we have one team goal - win."

North's first home game isn't until its homecoming game with North Tonawanda at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7. Their first scheduled "home" game is at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15 against Niagara Falls on the District Field at Williamsville South.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com