Thursday, October 1, 2026
MacArthur’s football season preseason kicked off with a bit of a curveball and the end of an era.
Bobby Fehrenach, who had served as MacAthur’s head coach for the past 28 years, retired from his longtime position after the first day of practice, leaving behind a legacy on Old Jerusalem Road that included 151 wins and two county championships. Steve Fazzolari, MacArthur’s defensive coordinator for the past 20 seasons, was named the Generals’ new head coach Aug. 26 and will be looking to carry forward the legacy of Fehrenach’s success on and off the field.
“Bobby Fehrenbach was the greatest coach this school could ever have and coaching with him for 20 years was a blessing to me not just as a coach but he made me a better person, a better father, a better teacher,” Fazzolari said. “He made us all better by running this program as long as he did and we wish him all the best.”
Fazzolari inherits a MacArthur squad that returns plenty of talent from last year’s 2-6 team that dropped a number of close games with a young roster after graduating the bulk of its starters from the 2024 season.
The returning talent includes a number of skilled position players who earned plenty of snaps on offense last year including senior running backs Ethan Shapiro and Tyler Centonze. Shapiro, who is also starting defensive back, rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns in Macarthur’s 42-13 win against Jericho last season.
Senior quarterback Vinny Szucs also returns after making progress in his first season as starting quarterback last fall both as a runner and passer. His versatility was on full display in MacArthur’s narrow 24-21 loss to Mepham last season when he threw for 158 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 31 yards and two scores.
“Vinny has made tremendous strides from his junior year to now,” Fazzolari said.
Senior wide receiver Ryan Solomon will be Szucs’ top receiving target this season. The passing game will also get contributions from senior receivers Colin McDermott and Mike Lane.
The offensive line returns three starters in seniors Connor Schmidt right (tackle), Trisian Waters (center) and Brian Lynch (right guard). Schmidt brings plenty of experience to the trenches as a two-way defensive starter at tackle for the past three years.
The defense brings back experience up front led by Schmidt and Lynch on the defensive line. The Generals also bring back starting linebackers in senior Garrett Thompson and Centonze.
Fazzolari is also expecting strong contributions from newcomers on defense that include junior linebacker Robbie Ruocchio and senior defensive lineman Sebastian Vasiliou.
“It’s a good mix of returning players and players who can step up,” said Fazzolari of his defense. “Our athleticism has improved from last year.”
On special teams, the Generals have multiple potential kickers including Szucs. Fazzolari said there are a number of capable kick returners in Shapiro, Solomon and McDermott.
MacArthur was seeded seventh in Conference II and is looking to return to the playoffs after a rare missed postseason year in 2025. The Generals will be tested early with a meeting at second-seeded Mepham in the season opener followed by a road game at 10-time defending Conference II champion Garden City.
The Generals are looking to return to the playoffs and have a chance to reach the county semifinals stage at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium for the first time since 2021. Fazzolari said his players are showing plenty of fire entering the season and credits the way they have stayed focused while handling a sudden coaching change.
“The expectations are the way they have always been as we are going to work hard and go out there and try to go 1-0 every single week,” Fazzolari said. “The boys are putting the work in and had a great first couple weeks of practice dealing with something they didn’t expect to deal with.”
To read more from the Herald's 2026 High School Football Preview, click here.
