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Q&A with American International College recruit Anthony Caldararo
Section 1 Recruiting writer Joe Lopopolo recently spoke with former New Rochelle teammate Anthony Caldararo about his decision to play football for American International College. “AC” is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound tight end and defensive lineman who will play H-Back at Division II AIC. Caldararo came a long way changing positions to help out the team, but is excited to play at AIC.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Caldararo on his decision.
Lopopolo: How does it feel to finally commit to a school of your choice?
Caldararo: It’s definitely a great feeling. I mean it took a huge chip off of my shoulder. The recruiting process is so stressful especially trying to keep up with school and midterms at the same time. But I’m very happy that I chose AIC, and I’m ready to be a Yellow Jacket.
Lopopolo: What other schools were you considering?
Caldararo: The University of New Haven and the University at Albany.
Lopopolo: What were the main factors on your decision?
Caldararo: I chose AIC for a lot of reasons. My visit went really well; I really enjoyed the campus from the minute I got there. The way the AIC football program was run reminded me a lot like New Rochelle so I felt like I was going to fit right in. A number of New Rochelle players came here to play football or had gotten recruited to play here and all had something good to say about the school/program.
Lopopolo: What are your strengths as a player and what style do you think you play?
Caldararo: I would have to say my strengths are probably my intelligence in certain situations. I feel like I´m really good at being prepared for any situation. When it comes to my style of play, I´m not really a finesse player. I’m really a hard-nosed type of player. I love to hit, be aggressive and tackle the football.
Lopopolo: What was the number-one highlight in your career?
Caldararo: I think my number-one highlight would have to be my junior year in the Section 1 final against Mahopac. That was a huge game for me and I came up with a safety early in the game, which I felt gave us a huge wave of momentum. That was a huge highlight to me.
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Q&A with Penn State recruit Jordan Lucas
Section 1 Recruiting writer Joe Lopopolo recently spoke with his former New Rochelle teammate Jordan Lucas about Lucas’s decision to play football at Penn State University in 2012. Lucas, a 6-foot, 176-pound safety, played this past fall at Worcester Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts, after graduating from New Rochelle in 2011. Lucas came a long way and improved a lot during his semester at Worcester. The Nittany Lions contacted Lucas last week and told him that they would possibly offer a scholarship. Lucas waited, even though it meant putting his guaranteed scholarship at Temple University in jeopardy. It turned out to be well worth the wait.
Here’s Lopopolo’s Q&A with Lucas on his decision to attend Penn State.
Lopopolo: How does it feel to finally commit, especially to a BCS school?
Lucas: It’s a great feeling, I mean the recruiting process was very stressful like always, if it’s out of prep school or out of high school. Penn State University has great tradition and I take it as a challenge with what they´re going through. They want to build on the tradition that they have and keep things going in the right direction. I´m happy to be a part of it. But now that it’s almost done I’m glad I picked the right school and I cannot wait until signing day so I can just relax.
Lopopolo: What other schools were you considering?
Lucas: Akron, UMass, Old Dominion and Villanova.
Lopopolo: What were the main factors in your decision?
Lucas: I chose PSU mainly because of the opportunity I have once I get there. I have a chance to get playing time right away as a freshman at safety and on special teams, so I’m making sure I take full advantage. Coach O’Brien made it seem like a great place, playing in front of 107,000 great fans every game and the academics PSU had to offer. I got a good taste of all that when I went on my unofficial visit and I loved the campus and environment.
Lopopolo: What are your strengths as a player and what style do you think you play?
Lucas: My strength would probably be my awareness. Knowing where everyone is on the field and knowing what to do in whatever situation I’m put in. I also really like to prepare myself during practice week on and off the field. I love to watch lots of film so you know what your opponent brings to the table. In terms of my style of play, I think I bring lots of speed and smarts to the game, but at the same time physicalness. I love to hit and tackle the football.”
Lopopolo: What were your thoughts on your season at Worcester Academy?
Lucas: It was definitely a great experience. I got to do a lot of things I’ve never done before. I played a lot of special teams and got to return kicks and punts all season. On the offensive side of the ball I played receiver and even wildcat quarterback. On defense I played cornerback and safety. It was a lot of fun. Coach let me be an athlete and do what I do best.
Lopopolo: Has Worcester Academy improved your skills in terms of football and/or academics?
Lucas: Oh yes, of course. This school has done a lot for me so far, especially academically. But I mainly came for school to improve my grades. I thought the transition from high school to college was going to be hard, but I adapted quick and it shows with the 3.6 GPA I earned this semester. I definitely feel like Worcester Academy is preparing me for the future.
Lopopolo: What was your number one highlight, whether it was at Worcester Academy, New Rochelle HS or even Pop Warner?
Lucas: I think my number one highlight would have to be senior year at New Rochelle against White Plains. It was a very important game, let alone it was a huge rivalry. I kind of took it personal that I hadn’t scored against them since my sophomore year, so I told myself I had to this game. I scored a 53-yard run, breaking six tackles and the play actually gave us the lead. The funny thing is that the play actually helped me get recruited. It was an offensive play but it showed how much of an athlete I was, so I would have to go with that as my biggest highlight.
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2012 New Rochelle football clinic
It´s never too early for coaches to begin scheming for the next season, and for many of them in the area, the preparation began on Monday, Jan. 16 at New Rochelle High School, at its 11th annual football clinic. From 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., coaches from around the area listened to speakers and shared ideas about various coaching topics as they began to gear up for next fall. University of Connecticut head coach Paul Pasqualoni headlined a slate of speakers that included coaches from the University of Miami, University of Oregon, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, Syracuse University, Temple University, the University of Delaware, Villanova University, Rhode Island University, Stony Brook University, the University at Albany and Springfield College. All three aspects of the game were discussed, including Oregon´s zone pressure, practicing situational football, kickoff and punt coverage, defending two-back run, training offensive and defensive line fundamentals, running the spread from 12 personnel and more.
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The Magazine is here!
The 2011 SECTION 1 RECRUITING MAGAZINE is here! This year´s magazine includes feature stories on Croton, Ossining´s Brian Connolly, New Rochelle´s Justin Douglas and three former Section 1 standouts, as well as player and team rankings for each class. This year´s edition, which includes a new design, can be viewed or downloaded in PDF form by clicking on "The Magazine" tab on the left side of this page. Enjoy!
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2011 Section1Recruiting Combine
Due to Lack of Interest, there is NO COMBINE this year. Please check back for the College Camp that will take place at New Rochelle HS next year. College Coaches from every level all over the country will be here in Westchester to Coach High School Football Players. It´s a GREAT Opportunity to get exposure to colleges at an early age! The Dates are JUNE 23 & 24, 2012
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| Write for Section 1 Recruiting! If you´re an aspiring sports writer who´s looking for experience or a high school football aficionado, please e-mail Matt Spillane to begin writing!
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If you are a player in Section I and have decided on your plans for next year, please email Matt Spillane and we will announce it here. |
| If you plan on playing football in college next year, let us know so we can update our "Where Are They Headed?" Page to let everyone who is a fan of Section I football know where you´ll be going to school next year. Please email us at matthew.spillane1@marist.edu. |
*If you know of a player that is not on this list, please email us at matthew.spillane1@marist.edu the player´s name, his HS graduating class, High School/Prep School attended, and College/Prep School attending next year.
**As reported by MSG Varsity.
***As reported by The Journal News.
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Do You Want Your Picture At The Top Of Section1Recruiting.Com?
We are looking to update the pictures we have at the top of the website, and we need your help. If you are going to be on the Varsity Football team in 2011 and you have pictures that you own and would like to see them at the top of our website, email permission for us to use the picture, along with the jpeg file to us at I Want My Picture On Section1Recruiting.Com. Pictures should be of game action only. |
| Section I Class AA 2012 League Rankings* |
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North Rockland |
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New Rochelle |
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John Jay-East Fishkill |
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White Plains |
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Arlington |
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Clarkstown South |
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Mahopac |
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Scarsdale |
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Clarkstown North |
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RC Ketcham |
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Carmel |
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Ramapo |
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Suffern |
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Mount Vernon |
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Mamaroneck |
| *As reported by Josh Thomson of The Journal News. |
| Section I Class A 2012 League Rankings* |
| League 1 |
League 2 |
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Harrison |
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Poughkeepsie |
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John Jay-Cross River |
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Somers |
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Rye |
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Yorktown |
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Horace Greeley |
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Eastchester |
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Tappan Zee |
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Pelham |
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Pearl River |
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Ossining |
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Sleepy Hollow |
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Nyack |
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Beacon |
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Brewster |
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Fox Lane |
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Byram Hills |
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Hen Hud |
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Gorton |
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Walter Panas |
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Port Chester |
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Lakeland |
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Spring Valley |
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Yonkers |
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Saunders |
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Riverside |
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Lincoln |
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Peekskill |
| *As reported by Josh Thomson of The Journal News |
| Section I Class B 2012 League Rankings* |
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Croton-Harmon |
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Lourdes |
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Pleasantville |
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Nanuet |
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Irvington |
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Westlake |
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Ardsley |
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Putnam Valley |
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Briarcliff |
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Edgemont |
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Roosevelt |
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Kennedy Catholic |
| *As reported by Josh Thomson of The Journal News |
| Section I Class C/D 2012 League Rankings* |
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Bronxville |
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Dobbs Ferry |
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Tuckahoe |
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Woodlands |
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Hastings |
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Pawling |
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Haldane |
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Blind Brook |
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Valhalla |
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Albertus Magnus |
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Rye Neck |
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Lincoln Hall |
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Palisade Prep |
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Yonkers Montesorri Academy |
| *As reported by Josh Thomson of The Journal News |
Comments/Suggestions? |
| Have a suggestion? Want to see something on the site that isn´t here? Have questions, comments..? Feel there is a player not mentioned that should be? Please email us at admin@Section1Recruiting.com. |
*Section 1 Recruiting, Inc. and www.section1recruiting.com are not affiliated with Section I of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, also known as Section I, or the Section One Football Coaches Association, also known as SOFCA.
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