Thursday, October 1, 2026
South Side will kick off the 2026 season with expectations sky high for a deep postseason run.
The Cyclones are seeded first in Conference III after a 7-win season that ended with an 18-15 heartbreaking defeat to Bethpage in the county semifinals at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
It marks the first time South Side has garnered the No. 1 preseason ranking since the seedings have existed going back to the early 1990s during a year when the program fittingly marks its 100th anniversary.
“It’s a testament to what we have coming back from last year’s team,” said 16th-year head coach Phil Onesto. “The expectation last year was to be in that county championship game and we fell just short so they are excited to get back out there as they feel like they have some unfinished business.”
The Cyclones return plenty of offensive firepower from last year including both starting running backs in senior AJ Magaraci and junior Ethan Johnson. Magaraci rushed for 884 yards and nine touchdowns while Johnson amassed 660 yards and 10 scores.
Junior quarterback Rob Cesario also returns after starting most games as a sophomore and tossing six touchdowns. One of his top targets will be junior wide receiver Kieran Vetter, who missed most of last season due to injury before returning in the playoffs and catching two touchdowns in the semifinal loss to Bethpage.
Versatile senior Reagan Petrone will also play a role in the passing game either at slot receiver out of the backfield after earning some late-season experience last year. Senior Ryan Solomon will also be playing wideout this season after serving as backup quarterback as a junior.
Other potential receivers were unknown entering preseason practices with a number of position battles up in the air including the tight end position between seniors Ryan Madden and Christian Harris.
“There are a couple position battles in a couple different places but it is a good thing because it’s not a situation where guys are just sliding into positions,” Onesto said. “They have to put in the work and they are going to make each other better by doing that.”
The offensive line also has positions up for grabs after graduating some key seniors. The trenches will be anchored by returning starters in seniors Pat Lambarello at center and Jaylen Fletcher at guard. Brayden Owens and Alex Basile and could also see time on the line at the tackle position.
The defense has experience in the secondary with Magaraci and Vetter returning as the starting safeties. Patron, who started at cornerback late in the season and South Side’s two playoff games, will also play a critical role in the Cyclones’ pass defense.
The defense will also be keyed by senior defensive end D’Andre Mullings-Newberry, who was elected one of the team captains.
“He’s very athletic and very fast,” Onesto said of Mullings-Newberry. “We’re expecting him to have a really big year.”
Onesto said Johnson at linebacker and Fletcher at defensive tackle provide experience in stopping the run. Senior Jalen Hurt will also be stepping into a defensive tackle role this fall.
On special teams, South Side returns Magaraci as the punter. The kicker job will be between Dylan Berenbroick, who started on junior varsity last year and Joshua James, a football newcomer who has shined on the South Side track & field team.
The Cyclones have added two Catholic League transfers who could make contributions in Gavin D’Alessandro, a receiver and linebacker from Kellenberg, and Shea Owens, a receiver and defensive back from Chaminade.
Onesto said he expects strong competition in Conference III with a number of potential championship contenders including Plainedge, Wantagh and Bethpage.
“Every week is going to be tough,” Onesto said. “We have the number one next to our name, but we know week in and week out if we don’t bring our A game it’s going to be trouble.”
To read more from the Herald's 2026 High School Football Preview, click here.
