Thursday, October 1, 2026
Last year, the Vikings enjoyed a spectacular 10-2 season that included an upset victory over Plainedge in the Nassau Conference IV championship game.
But this time, finish the season with a L.I. title is the goal.
“Our outlook is always the same,” head coach Mike McHugh said. “Our outlook is always to reload, put the pieces back in place, and get back to Hofstra. And then once we get to Hofstra, then we reassess everything but our goal is get to Hofstra, win a championship, and then move on to the Long Island championship. That’s always our goal. We don’t every try to shortchange ourselves. We’re trying to run a championship team out there every year.”
This year’s squad will look a lot different than 2025 as the Vikings, still seeded at the top of Conference IV, lost a plethora of seniors including all of their offensive starters. With a goal of reloading and the expectation that they will continue to win, Seaford will look to some key players to step up and lead the way back the postseason to compete for a title.
Senior running back and captain Michael Calvacca is a dynamic player who’ll provide a big spark to the offense.
“He’s a tremendous runner,” McHugh said. “He’s a very quick and shifty runner and has the ability to score on every play. If he gets through that hole, he’s going to be tough to tackle and tough to chase down.”
Following the graduation of quarterback Michael Spinella, junior Finn Curry will take over under center in what will be his third year on varsity. “He’s an agile, mobile, and quick quarterback,” McHugh said of Curry. “He’s not a pocket passer. He’ll get out and run the ball in the spread. We’re looking for good things from him. He can run and he can throw.”
Senior Michael Kofod is a strong two-way player and will be a force at cornerback and running back. He’s a running back who offers a different look than Calvacca while also filling a key role on defense.
“He’s going to be the one who is going to put his head down and run you over,” McHugh said of Kofod. “He’s also our lockdown corner and will play the opponent’s best receiver.”
Another two-way player and leader is senior safety and wide receiver Jackson Pignataro. A captain, Pignataro is a dynamic slot receiver who is small but shifty and also brings a lot to the table in the defensive backfield.
“He catches the ball in tough situations in tight spaces,” said McHugh. “He’s a tough safety. He reads the quarterback and reads the receivers well. He breaks on the ball and is a solid tackler.”
Other important pieces include captain Brock Conway, who plays middle linebacker and tight end, senior wide receiver Carmine Pandolfino, and senior offensive lineman/middle linebacker Anthony Foglia. The latter voluntarily switched from fullback/tight end because Seaford needed help on the line.
On special teams, Vincent Catalfomo will handle kicking duties and Logan DiFondi the punting.
The Vikings are sure to have a target on their backs as the defending county champs.
“I think this year is going to be tough,” McHugh said. “I think it’s going to be an even conference. Lynbrook is going to be a challenge and Floral Park is going to be a challenge. We don’t know what to expect with the merger of West Hempstead and East Rockaway. While it’s going to be a tough conference, there are a lot of unknowns. I think it’s going to be a battle every week.”
The Vikings open at home Sept. 10 against No. 2-seed Lynbrook under the lights for a 630 p.m. kickoff. Seaford will also face the top seed from Conference III, South Side, in a highly anticipated crossover matchup in Week 3.
To read more from the Herald's 2026 High School Football Preview, click here.
