By Aidan Dobrosielski, Sports Writer
Image Courtesy of Scarps_Photos on Instagram
Bright lights shining on the turf field. The Ram logo. The Ram mascot. The student section cheering for our team. Feet slamming on the bleachers. Loud environment. The whole community. All together. With incredible performances from the football, dance, and cheer team, as well as the marching band, CHSN talent has been put on full display. On Felix V. Festa Field at Clarkstown North High School, students created liveliness, despite the COVID-19 circumstances. Whether it’s pink out, black out, or homecoming, the purple and gold spirit always shines through. This environment sums up Clarkstown North. FEARLE22. SUPE21OR. UN2TOPPABLE. The past two years have been tough due to the pandemic but nothing will stop the unbelievable school spirit of the students, alumni, and parents of the CHSN community.
Image Courtesy of @graceannepawel.photography on Instagram
Pictured is Lex Malizia, Alex Billelo, Pat Reynolds, and Nick Maritato
Image Courtesy of CHSNCheer on Instagram
Pictured is Aislyn Balseca, Cassidy Reese, Victoria Tuffy, Ilyssa Cohn, Alex Benton, and Zoe Poulin
Under Head Coach Joe Trongone, the football team has had an incredible regular season, winning five out of seven games with remarkable efforts from team captains, center Pat Reynolds, cornerback Nick Maritato, Slotback Alex Bilello, and Quarterback Lex Malizia. Senior Nick Maritato led New York State with six interceptions this season. At home, the Rams have been near perfect with an undefeated record on our turf. With Paramus Catholic transfer Pat Reynolds’s blocking, seniors Alex Billelo and Eric Gilzeane have developed into a two-headed monster in the backfield. Billelo ran for 744 yards while Glizeane found the end zone 13 times.
The support for the team this season is unlike anything North has seen before. Varsity cheerleading is superb, led by captains Victoria Tuffy, Alex Benton, and Aislyn Faith, as well as the Varsity Kickline team, led by captains Cassidy Reese, Ilyssa Cohn, and Zoe Poulin. At The Huddle, the Student Council and 4th Quarter Club sell food and beverages, as well as apparel and raffle tickets to raise money for the Rams. And of course, the marching band led by Mr. Andert provides the team’s soundtrack for success!
Image Courtesy of Scarps_Photos on Instagram
At the beginning of the season, administration expressed concerns about some students acting negatively towards the opposing team. But by the end of the season, students have learned to direct their remarks towards the well being of our team and not the ill-being of the opposing team. Overall, students seemed to have loved cheering on their team in a positive and constructive way!
Image Courtesy of Scarps_Photos on Instagram
Image Courtesy of @graceannepawel.photography on Instagram
Unfortunately, the Clarkstown North Football Team lost to Mahopac High School in their away playoff game. Nonetheless, football has been a driving force in helping the community come together after a difficult time. Vincent Festa Field during the fall of 2021 will always be remembered as a place for one community to come together, despite differences and setbacks. Go Rams!
Image Courtesy of @northrams_4th_qtr_club on Instagram
Infographic (right) by Kate Mathis, Web-Editor