VSC enjoys five-win season

Valley Stream Central football had a breakthrough season and is looking ahead to a promising future.

First year-head coach Michael Rubino guided the Eagles to a 5-3 regular-season record to earn the No. 8 seed for the Conference I playoffs. It marked Central’s second playoff appearance in four years and first five-win campaign since 1993.

“We hit our goal for a winning record,” said Rubino, whose team’s season was ended in a first round 56-6 defeat at top-seeded Farmingdale on Nov. 4. “The kids put in a lot of effort.”

In the playoff loss to Farmingdale, Central only tailed 7-6 after one quarter before the defending county champions scored 35 points in the second quarter to put the game out of reach.

Central rebounded from a 2-6 season last year and entered the season seeded 12 out of 13 teams. After falling to Uniondale in the second game, the Eagles won four of their next five to reach the playoffs including wins against Hicksville, Plainview JFK and two victories over Westbury.

“The kids bought in right away,” Rubino said. “Our program is about action not words.”

The Eagles turnaround effort was led in large part by senior captain Aiden Rooney. The 6-4 215-pound lineman guided the team on and off the field and was recognized by the National Football Foundation with an academic scholarship.

“He was our voice on the field,” said Rubino of Rooney. “He held the guys accountable.”

Junior quarterback Stephen Sanchez also shined and earned All-County honors.  He threw for 100 yards and a touchdown in a 44-6 win against Hicksville on Sept. 17.

Senior wide receiver Shalome Clarke added a jolt to the Eagle offense with several big plays and earned All-Conference honors. Clarke had two touchdowns in a 23-13 win at Plainview JFK on Oct. 15 that clinched the Eagles’ fifth win and solidified a playoff spot.

Junior Joel Rosario also contributed heavily on offense as a receiver and linebacker on defense. In a 28-20 win against Westbury on Sept. 23, Rosario produced 60 yards receiving with seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

Rubino is excited about next season with eight of 11 offensive starters returning and seven back on the defensive side. He said the returning players are showing a commitment to improve in the offseason in hopes of making further progress in 2017. The Eagles will have a higher seeds and a tougher schedule next fall, but Rubino expects the playoff experience gained this season to pay dividends.

“Now these guys have that experience playing in a playoff game at Farmingdale, which is one of the toughest places to play,” Rubino said. “Our players know the opportunity they have next year.”