Brandon Reddish of team NYC is ready to make an impact on defense and special teams. (Denis Gostev)
New York City is enjoying its best stretch in the Empire Challenge, winning three of the last four years after dropping two straight in 2005 and 2006. The Big Apple’s football pedigree has only grown in recent seasons with more players going to big-time schools than ever before.
Will that momentum carry over into the game against Long Island, set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium? Only time will tell.
Here’s a look, unit by unit, at the team:
QUARTERBACK
This has always been a dubious position for the city. Even two years ago when the team boasted then-Purdue signee Najee Tyler of Xaverian, NYC fell to Long Island in disappointing fashion. Last year, it was Susan Wagner’s Jordan Rodriguez who led the offense to a 15-10 victory – this position is always the key.
The city seems to be in good shape this year. Christ the King’s Terrel Hunt, who is signed with Syracuse, will be under center to start the game and he has all the tools, including a strong, accurate arm and tremendous athleticism. Behind him are two kids — New Utrecht’s Jordan Paul and Campus Magnet’s Scott Gadsden — who can throw the ball deep or make plays out of the pocket with their feet. Paul will play next year at Gardner-Webb.
RUNNING BACK
Midway through practice Monday night, running backs coach Eric Barnett of Campus Magnet had no idea who would start Tuesday – and that didn’t bother him. He feels like all four of the teams running backs – Tottenville’s Gil Mendoza, Fort Hamilton’s Wesley Sumpter, Campus Magnet’s Wavell Wint and Boys & Girls’ Wilbert Lee – will see equal time. In fact, he plans on having a new tailback on the field for every single play.
Look for a big game from Mendoza, who will play both football and baseball next year at prep school Peddie (N.J.). He was the city’s best running back this season before an injury sidelined him for the postseason. Lee, also an adept receiver and defensive back, is signed with UConn.
RECEIVER
This is a position loaded with talent and versatility. The city has guys who can all do totally different things. Tottenville’s Steven Browne, who will play the slot, is all speed and elusiveness. Cardinal Hayes’ Abraham Ocasio is effective with his long arms and superior leaping ability. Boys & Girls’ Wilbert Lee is powerful and explosive and Thomas Jefferson’s Mark Thomas is athletic and physical.
The best story might be Tynell Brown of Curtis. He played mostly quarterback the last two seasons for the Warriors, but sacrificed for freshman Prince Dukes at the end of this past year. Now, Brown, a gifted athlete, could start Tuesday night at wide receiver. Either way, this is a corps that receivers coach Joe DeSiena of Xaverian is very happy with.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Perhaps the hardest unit to try and jell together in such a short time, this group is not lacking for talent – and certainly not for size. Fort Hamilton’s Kevon Foster and Ivan Foy, Brooklyn Tech’s Rene Modeste, center Haris Mrkulic of Flushing and Lincoln behemoth Rotchill Medor will all start, according to offensive line coach Pete Gambardella of Curtis. Foy, a Syracuse signee, was brought over late from the defensive line and will be a big help. Also watch for the biggest player in the game, Campus Magnet’s Marcus Smith, a 6-foot-8, 350-pound mass of humanity.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Like last year, defensive line coach Danny Landberg of Erasmus Hall expects this to be perhaps the team’s greatest strength – even after Syracuse-bound Ivan Foy of Fort Hamilton moved to the offensive side. The starting defensive tackles – Lincoln’s Wayne Williams and Flushing’s Shittu Salami – have been virtually unblockable in practice. The ends that have stood out the most have been Fort Hamilton’s Rasheem Stroud and Christ the King’s Joe Thompson. The MVP of the game last year – Flushing’s Jason Bromley – was a defensive lineman and Landberg thinks someone like Salami could take home an award Tuesday.
LINEBACKER
Two starters here will have lots of familiarity – Andrew Justice and Bryant-bound DuJuan Heath both play for defensive coordinator Shawn O’Connor at Lincoln. The other will be impressive Holy Cross star Shaquille Frederick. With the size and ability of the line, this unit, coached by Boys & Girls’ Barry O’Connor, will have a chance to roam free and wreak havoc. The starting trio can all make a difference.
SECONDARY
The two teams that made the PSAL City Championship game at Yankee Stadium – Lincoln and Fort Hamilton – are well represented here, too. Fort Hamilton’s Syracuse-bound star Brandon Reddish, The Post’s All-City Player of the Year, will suit up at cornerback, and Lincoln’s Kerrick Simmons will be the team’s starting strong safety. At free safety, Holy Cross’ Andrew Murdock gets the ball from secondary coach Howard Langley of Clinton and do-everything Tottenville’s Shaban Shatku will play corner and be the defensive captain because of his leadership ability.
SPECIAL TEAMS
On paper, this unit is scary. Special teams coach Kyle McKenna of Brooklyn Tech has two Big East signees as his return guys: Reddish and Lee, the Boys & Girls star. Tottenville’s Steven Browne brings speed and slipperiness. Kicking will be Fordham-bound Michael Marando of Xaverian and Shatku, who can play any position on the field, will punt.
COACH
It has been a whirlwind year for Danny Perez. He took over for legendary coach Vinny Laino, his mentor, at Fort Hamilton and guided the Tigers to a PSAL City Championship. Now he is at the helm of the city team as it tries to win a fourth Empire Challenge in the last five years. His top lieutenants are excellent veterans in offensive coordinator Jim Munson and defensive coordinator Shawn O’Connor, so NYC will not be lacking in the coaching department.