Thursday, October 1, 2026
There was no shortage of gridiron excitement at Valley Stream South a year ago.
The Falcons earned four victories, qualified for the Nassau Conference III playoffs and played in the highest-scoring regular-season game in county history when they beat Division, 68-64, on a touchdown from since-graduated quarterback Danny Casey.
Back in familiar stomping grounds of Conference IV, head coach Joe Guastafeste is looking for the program to take the next step and reach the semifinals at Hofstra for the first time in 14 years.
“Getting to the playoffs last year was a goal, and now it’s an expectation,” he said. “We can’t get too ahead of ourselves, but the goal is to get to Hofstra and it’s something we’re capable of. I like our schedule. We’re familiar with Conference IV to a degree, but it’s not easy to bounce around.”
Seeded No. 9 in the 14-team conference, the Falcons will need to jump at least one spot from their preseason ranking to even make the playoffs. Then win a postseason game for the first time since 2012.
In the mix to replace Casey, an All-County selection, under center is junior Jayvian Panka, last season’s varsity backup, and senior Dave Dyer, who served a vital role at wing back. “Both are quality athletes and most of all we’re looking for consistency at quarterback,” Guastafeste said. “Neither has experience throwing the ball in a varsity game, so we’ll see where we’re at as we get closer to Week 1.”
Dyer will be part of the backfield corps if he’s not the starting signal-caller, Guastafeste noted. Junior Aiden Parris is set to be the workhorse at running back after becoming one of the team’s premier players down the stretch last fall. Parris, a powerful ball-carrier who’s tough to bring down, had 67 carries for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’ll also contribute on special teams in the return game.
Paving the way up front and in the leadership department is senior Hunter Rush, a captain and returning two-way starter at guard and linebacker. He’s 6-foot-3, 235 pounds and will also lead the kicking game. “Hunter is one of our leaders on and off the field,” Guastafeste said “He’s always working to get stronger and is athletic and intense.”
Senior lineman Sherry Raza is another two-way returning starter who plays offensive tackle and any position along the defensive front. He brings good size (6-2, 260) and toughness and “plays with an attitude,” Guastafeste said.
Rush, Raza and junior guard Kendall Martin were all starting offensive linemen on South’s undefeated JV team in 2024. Martin brings two years of JV starting experience to varsity and has excellent footwork and solid technique. He’ll also contribute at defensive line or linebacker.
At center, senior Angel Cruz started the last half of the regular season and playoff loss to Carey. He’s back in that role and senior Christian Singh, who worked hard to earn the first four starts at center in 2025, could start at tackle opposite Raza. Junior Jayden Alliance is up from JV and also in the mix to top the depth chart.
When the Falcons take flight with the ball, the quarterback can look to senior wideouts Michael Thimote, Joaquin Pagan and Branden St. Font. Thimote is a returning two-way starter with good hands and will be part of the defensive secondary with Pagan, the slot receiver who stood out during summer action. St. Fort has a wingspan larger than his 6-foot frame suggests and could also be an option at tight end.
South’s utility knife is senior captain Jace Thomas, someone who can gain yards on the ground as a runner and make takes at linebacker after playing cornerback a year ago. “He’s one of our fastest kids,” Guastafeste noted.
A fast start would go a long way towards the Falcons’ attaining their goals. A pivotal season-opening matchup with Island Trees and Homecoming versus neighboring Valley Stream North in Week 6 highlight the schedule.
To read more from the Herald's 2026 High School Football Preview, click here.
