Football Preview: Broncos Look to Repeat Last Year’s Success—and More

You can't get much better in the New York State high school football world than Bronxville High School last year. The Broncos went all the way to the state championship before losing their only game in an otherwise perfect season.

Size, playoff experience and an unfinished dream are driving the Section 1 Class C champions as they begin their 2010 season on September 11 by hosting Valhalla's Vikings.

Senior lineman Kieran Borcich, at 6'5", 265 lbs or so, is the big man among big men. Already headed to Boston College via his commitment to accept a scholarship, he leads a powerful offensive line. His blocking partners include Henry Palermo, Stephen Shoemaker, Elliot Bartsch.

"We want to continue to get better," Borcich said during early training camp. "The experience at Syracuse was something we didn't expect last year. This year we want to be prepared to reach a goal of winning in the Dome."

A dozen starters from last year's visitors to the Dome are off to college—running backs Brian Murray and Liam Berney, who combined for 27 touchdowns and more than 2,000 rushing yards. Skill players Dillon Mitchell and Jack Near, though, are back again.

Injuries to Near, last year's starting quarterback who will attend Notre Dame to play lacrosse next fall, opened the door at quarterback for Dillon Mitchell to start the season.

"I think we are a very experienced team that also happens to be blessed with excellent size and athletes," Mitchell said. "A lot of teams struggle to match up with our size. Our team just needs to keep working on our execution. It's still early in the season, so guys are still getting a feel for the playbook."

Near, who will anchor the 2010 Broncos as one of the team's leaders, realizes that the difference in making another run at the Class C state title lies in execution.

"I would have to say that our team's biggest strength is the size of our linemen and how experienced they are," Near said. Shoemaker, Bartsch, Palermo, and Borcich all have three years of varsity experience. "But we can always improve on execution and tackling. Those two [aspects of the game] always have room for improvement."

The reappearance of twins Christian Conway and Jackson Conway—who attended Bronxville High before moving away from the area—also gives the Broncos some options at running back.

The Broncos quest for another class C title and another visit to the Carrier Dome will find some opposition in conference with tough match-ups against Hastings (October 9) and in the regular-season finale against border rival Tuckahoe (October 24)–much improved and looking to avenge last year's 40-0 loss to the Broncos.

Top Offensive Players

Running Back – Jack Near

Quarterback – Dillon Mitchell  

Offensive Lineman— Kieran Borcich

Top Defensive Players 

Lineman – Stephen Shoemaker

Linebacker—Ryan Hackett

Elliot Bartsch, Henry Palermo

Bronxville Broncos 2010 Roster

Luke Marrone, Sophomore

Russ Minetti, Senior

Ryan Grunseith, Senior

Ryan Hackett, Senior

Dillon Mitchell, Senior

Stephen Shoemaker, Senior

Matt Tormey, Sophomore

Jack Near, Senior

Henry Palermo, Senior

Kevin Bisconti, Junior

Kieran  Borcich, Senior

Ben Arcano, Senior

Elliot Bartsch, Senior

Sean Callahan, Junior

Joichin Corr, Senior

Brad Davies, Senior

Christian Conway, Junior

Jackson Conway, Junior

2010 Broncos Schedule

September 9: Valhalla

September 16: at Haldane

September 25: at Lincoln Hall

October 2: vs. Rye Neck 

October 9: at Hastings

October 16: vs. Dobbs Ferry

October 23: at Tuckahoe