Thursday, October 1, 2026
With a young Ravens core that steadily improved as it adapted to the speed and physicality of varsity football last season, Sewanhaka enters this fall expecting that growth to continue.
Many of those players are now experienced juniors and seniors, and head coach George Kasimatis, entering his 18th year, believes the Ravens can pick up where they left off and continue getting better as the season progresses.
“The kids got experience and got used to the pace of the game,” Kasimatis said. “It’s a big step up from JV level to varsity.”
Seeded No. 8 in Conference III, Sewanhaka believes its combination of experience and athleticism can make it competitive and part of the playoff race. Kasimatis also sees a close-knit team that has spent years playing together and developed a chemistry that should benefit the Ravens on both sides of the ball.
At quarterback, last year’s starter Lance Williams Jr. is competing with fellow junior Peyton Saravia-Sims and senior Mahmood Kamal for the job. Kasimatis believes all three are strong candidates who’ll contribute.
Williams started as a sophomore and brings running and passing ability along with experience at safety. Kasimatis considers leadership his greatest strength, noting that Williams constantly encourages his teammates.
Kamal brings a strong arm and will also contribute in the secondary, while Saravia-Sims also throws well, is a physical runner and will also contribute as a linebacker.
Senior Joe Balletta gives the Ravens a versatile weapon at running back and slot receiver who can both run and catch. The receiving corps includes junior Ryan Lerouge, a big, physical first year varsity player who will also play linebacker, and junior Justin Moreau, who gained valuable varsity experience as a sophomore.
“He’s a specimen,” Kasimatis said of Moreau. “You look at the kid and you’re like, holy cow. Tall, long, strong, can run like a deer.”
Junior Amari James adds another versatile option at running back and slot receiver after a strong JV season and will also play defensive back. Junior Anthony Gutierrez brings a physical style to the running game and will contribute at linebacker.
Other players making the jump to varsity include junior Gleed-arly Josma, a defensive back and receiver who impressed with his offseason work ethic, and junior Stephen Antoine, an athletic receiver and defensive back.
“He’ll find his way on the field somewhere,” Kasimatis said of Antoine. “He’s too good to leave off.”
Junior Chayce Clanton returns at running back and linebacker after earning All-Conference honors as a sophomore and provides another proven presence on both sides of the ball.
Up front, senior Joelle Matheson is a three-year starter and one of Sewanhaka’s primary leaders. Senior guard Aiden Jacob provides additional leadership, while junior Troy Marston emerged at center after getting an opportunity there late last season.
Junior Isaiah Adeleke will contribute at tackle and defensive end, with Kasimatis praising his intelligence and work ethic. Senior Leonardo Velasco is taking on a new challenge on the offensive line while providing versatility defensively.
Senior Jawad Kamal also returns at defensive end as one of the Ravens’ veteran leaders. “He’s one of these kids that’s the first guy out on the field, last guy off,” Kasimatis said.
The Ravens will get an early measuring stick in Week 2 against two-time defending county champion Wantagh under the Friday night lights, and again in Week 6 against top-seeded South Side, a game Kasimatis believes will provide a strong test of how much the Ravens have improved by that point in the season.
That development remains the theme for a group that already showed its ability to improve last season. Playing mistake free football, utilizing the team’s speed and communicating effectively will all be important, but Kasimatis believes Sewanhaka’s chemistry can help bring everything together.
“There’s no cliques,” he said. “These guys are together all the time.”
And while the playoffs remain the ultimate destination, Kasimatis wants his Ravens focused on getting better each day.
“Every team’s goal is to make the playoffs,” he said. “If we take care of the stuff we’re supposed to take care of, the outcome will be the playoffs. Work hard Monday through Friday, and Saturday will take care of itself.”
To read more from the Herald's 2026 High School Football Preview, click here.
