‘We expect to contend’

When a coaching staff and players on the team look intently through their schedule and see that they will be facing the Chester Academy High School Hambletonian football program, it’s a good bet that team will immediately realize that they are in for a tough challenge on the field on that given day.

Chester features coaches and student athletes on the roster who are determined to give their best effort possible each and every week.

The Hambletonians started the regular season in impressive fashion, to say the least, as they defeated Rondout Valley High School 27-6 on the road on Sept. 10.

The Hambletonians are scheduled for back-to-back road games at Burke Catholic and Monticello on Sept. 18 and Sept. 24, respectively.

Monticello began the regular season with a loss to Wallkill this past Saturday.

Leadership

Among the key returning student athlete for the Hambletonians this year include Jacob Angeles (senior, quarterback), Noah Angeles (senior, receiver), Elijah Leconte (senior, running back), Jimmy Lusignan (senior, receiver), Ryan Murphy (senior, receiver), Nick Randazzo (senior, linebacker), Jake Laura (senior, tackle), Jeter Nolasco (senior, guard), Nick DiCurcio (senior, center), Xavier Espaillat (junior, corner back) and Spencer Lewis (junior, guard).

Promising newcomers to the varsity level for Chester includes Scott Volkmer (senior, strong safety), Mike Doyle (senior, tackle), Akil Williams (junior, linebacker), Nick Garvey, (junior, kicker), Andre Jenkins (sophomore, wide receiver), Jayden Delgado (sophomore, tackle), Tyler Santangelo (sophomore, center), Dan Gorman (sophomore, tackle) and Wills Siebert (sophomore, quarterback).

“Leadership (will come from the) captains, Jacob Angeles and Jake Laura, and any returning senior,’’ Chester Academy head coach Ron Stover said. “Good leaders motivate, model and mentor the younger kids.

New offensive system

“(Our goals are to) improve week to week in all facets of the game and to perfect a new offensive system. (In regards to COVID we follow) school protocol, take daily temperature checks, masking indoors, attendance for contact tracing and separate water containers.’’

Chester Academy competes in Section IX Class C along with O’Neill and Highland. The Hambletonians are scheduled to host O’Neill on Oct. 2 and they are slated to welcome in Highland on Oct. 29.

“O’Neill is the favorite in Class C,’’ Stover said. “We expect to contend.”