There are some football programs that regroup. There are some football programs that rebuild.
Followers of football may not like to admit it, but directed by veteran coach Buddy Krumenacher, the Dalers football program is the kind that reloads.
The team has 22 potential starters who’ve never took the field in a varsity game. “They’re new, but they’re good people and they want to play,” says the Daler coach.
Find out what's happening in Farmingdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
They’ll get their chance. Coming off a highly successful season in which the Dalers got to the third round of the playoffs at Hofstra, this year‘s crop of football hopefuls at Farmingdale are entering a team with a tradition of success. The stats prove it: 24 Big 4 championships in 26 years and six Long Island championships since 1992.
Getting a cohesive, effective squad on the field by opening day will be the task of Krumenacher and his coaching staff -- which brings plenty of experience to the task. “This is my 42nd year coaching, eighteen years as head coach at Farmingdale,“ said Krumenacher. ‘I’ve seen it all.. But as far as having an offensive team, we’re happy with where we’re at. We think we’ll be ready to go with full complement opening day.”
Find out what's happening in Farmingdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Last Season: 9-2 overall
Coach: Buddy Krumenacher (18 years)
Top Players:
- Tyler Ward, senior, running back and defensive back
- Justin Martin, senior, running back and outside linebacker
- Daliqe Mingo, junior, quarterback
- Vic Singh, blind side tackle
- Jack Doupe, tackle
- Dennis Maroldo, guard
Position Breakdown:
With the graduation of Sal Tuttle, two year JV starter Daliqe Mingo is stepping into the QB shoes for Farmingdale. “He brings experience to the position as JV quarterback, which is the same as the varsity QB,” said Krumenacher. “He can roll out and run. We think he’s ready to lead.”
Backs Tyler Ward and Justin Martin, says the Daler coach, are going to be keys to what the team does in their patented spread offense, which emphasizes runners with speed who can get to the perimeter and take off.
On the line, seniors Jack Doupe and Vic Singh at tackle, Ryan O’Keefe at guard, and Dennis Maroldo, at center, have things nailed down, says Krumenacher. “Other than that, we have guys looking for positions, and right now it’s a little bit up in the air.”
One position to watch for is the extra point slot, where a freshman is challenging for the role. “We want to see if he can do it,” says Krumenacher, “if he can we’ll keep him around. Otherwise, there’s another player at the varsity level who will take that role.”
Expectations:
Look for strong competition out of an up and coming Syosset squad, which returns a number of talented players and could challenge. Oceanside and Freeport are traditional powerhouses.
Expect the Dalers to get up for the Massapequa game. “These kids have played each other since they were little boys,” said Krumenacher. “They’re never bad.”
Bottom line for Farmingdale is turning so many new players into a working unit. “The challenge is going to be putting 22 guys out there that haven’t started a varsity football game,” said the Daler coach. “I believe we’ll own up but you don’t know til you get there.”
Key Games:
- Oct. 1 Syosset @ Farmingdale, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 6 Farmingdale @ Freeport , 7:00 p.m.
- Oct. 22 Massapequa @ Farmingdale, 1:30 p.m.
- Oct. 29 Farmingdale @ Oceanside 2:30 p.m.
