HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

HIGHLAND – The Huskies were 6-3 last year, twice losing in heartbreaking last-second finishes to Rondout Valley and once to eventual state semifinalist and archrival Marlboro. Highland will have to do it without A.J. Buchanan though. His 131 tackles graduated with him.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

RONDOUT VALLEY – A dream season, to say the least. The Ganders were winless in 2012 but went 7-3 behind standout quarterback Keith Malak, who has since graduated, and made it to the sectional finals. The bigger picture here is that the program appears to be back on solid ground.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

KETCHAM – Do the Indians deserve to be higher? Probably. After all, they were 7-2 last year and a sectional semifinalist. But they lost QB Kevin Duke to graduation, lost offensive threat Jacob Morganstern to transfer to a prep school in Connecticut, and now have lost lineman Chris Mulvey who is transferring to Lourdes.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

WALLKILL – The Panthers are another team that lost a tremendous starting QB in Joe Pillitteri, but we hear his young backup is playing awesome at camps. Wallkill was 6-4 last year and has a tough schedule this year that features Marlboro in the season opener, archrival Cornwall, and newcomer Poughkeepsie.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

OUR LADY OF LOURDES – Standout running back/linebacker Bryce Gioia? Gone. All-world receiver/returner/defensive back Christian Keenan? Gone. But junior QB Dean Rotger is back, and if the Warriors can protect him they can go to a third consecutive Section One championship game.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

ARLINGTON – The Admirals will be the first to tell you they played a lackluster game against Carmel in the regular season that cost them a shot at the playoffs. But they finished with three straight solid wins that’s convinced us they belong in the top 5 and have a league title run in them. We’ll know quick – they open with Jay.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

MILLBROOK – The Blazers are another team that picked the wrong time to have their worst game. After going 8-0, Millbrook stumbled against O’Neill in the Section Nine semifinals. Although star runner Henry Cardinal is gone, coach Sean Keenan continues to develop amazing talent at the small school. Hint: Watch out for Delvin Wood.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

JOHN JAY-EAST FISHKILL – The Patriots are coming off a 7-2 league championship season that ended in the Section One, Class AA semifinals. Now Jay is looking to take the next step from sometimes-contender to elite program. The talent is there. Keep an eye on Joe Lisowski, one of the most dangerous players in the section.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY – The Goldbacks were 8-2 last season, losing in the Section Nine, Class AA championship game. NFA lost a little, but oh my goodness do the Goldbacks return what is arguably the best set of skill position players in the area, especially in the backfield. The non-league schedule isn’t kind, but could be beneficial in the long run.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

MARLBORO – The Iron Dukes lost record-setting quarterback Ryan Cary, who rushed and passed for more than 2,000 yards each last season. And they lost running back Marsallis Faircloth and more than 1,600 yards. Trouble, right? Nah. They don’t rebuild at Marlboro. They reload. Three straight sectional titles, consecutive state Final Fours. This is the best team in the HV.