FONDA — The Fonda-Fultonville football team is gearing up for a season of change and new opportunities.
Following a remarkable run to the Class C state championship game last year, which saw the team achieve a 12-2 overall record, Fonda is set to introduce several new players in crucial roles on the field.
“We have a fresh batch of players stepping up, but we all share a common belief in our abilities,” said senior lineman Jake Hernigle. “We understand that teamwork is the key to success.”
The team’s triumph in 2023 was largely due to a seasoned offensive line and the exceptional skills of freshman quarterback Keegan Croucher. However, with the graduation of all five starting members of Fonda’s offensive line and Croucher’s transfer to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, the team is set for a reshuffle.
Despite these changes, there will be no contest for the quarterback position. Fonda’s head coach Mike Mancini has decided to entrust the role to senior Mason Smith, who served as the backup last season.
“We began discussing his new role in the spring, and how it would differ from last year,” Mancini said, speaking about Smith’s appointment as the starting quarterback. “He will need to step up his leadership game, and he has been working hard in preparation for this new role. We are very pleased with his progress and anticipate a stellar year from him.”
During his junior year, Smith primarily played as a wide receiver and linebacker, but he has experience playing quarterback from his younger years. The challenge now is to adapt to playing this position at the varsity level.
“I have complete faith in my teammates and coaches to help me navigate this transition to a new varsity position,” Smith said. “I am confident that we can come together to achieve greatness this year.”
Smith’s preparation for the new season involves not only mastering a new position but also building rapport with a new offensive line and a fresh set of running backs and wide receivers.
The team also bid farewell to running back Jose Vargas and wide receivers Karsen Bulan and Brady Melious, who graduated.
Hernigle is among the players Mancini is counting on to step up on the offensive line.
“Jake started on the offensive line as a sophomore, and we moved him to tight end last year,” Mancini said, noting that Hernigle filled in on the line during Fonda’s state semifinal game last season. “He has a wealth of experience on the offensive line.”
Mancini is also eyeing brothers Jacob and Jack Sheldon to fill some of the vacancies on the line.
“I’ve been playing with these guys my whole life,” Smith said. “I’ve seen their dedication at practice every day and I know they are capable of delivering.”
“The previous group of linemen taught me a lot about leadership,” Hernigle said. “They showed me what it takes to be a leader and how to be the ‘big dog.’ I know I need to step up as a leader this year and always give my best.”
In preparation for the 2024 season, Fonda participated in a team camp on Aug. 15 with Stillwater and Niskayuna, both of which also won Section 2 titles in 2023. Official practices kicked off on Monday, Aug. 19.
“Our focus during the preseason is on individual skills, techniques, and drills,” Mancini said. “We won’t be too focused on running plays in the first week. We need to polish our fundamentals and ensure that we’re sound. If we take care of the small things, the big things will fall into place.”
Fonda is scheduled to play its first game at home on Friday, Sept. 6 against Section 3’s Central Valley Academy (Ilion, NY).
“I’ve been eagerly waiting for this all summer,” Hernigle said. “I can’t wait to get started in Week 0.”
“We aim to perform as well as we did last year,” Smith said. “Even though we have a different set of players, we have the same spirit, the same coaches, and the same determination as before.”
The team is also engaging in bonding activities, with players keen to continue some of the traditions started last year.
“We all go to wing nights and hang out there,” Hernigle explained. “We also go to the Chinese food buffet and spend time there, building our team chemistry.”
“We’ve done these activities in smaller groups before, but last year we really stepped it up to eat together as a team,” he added. “I believe that this helped us go as far as we did, and we want to carry that over to this year.”
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