Blue Waves Head into 2011 Ranked No. 7 in Division II

After starting the 2010 season as the No. 6 seed, the Blue Waves varsity football squad will head into 2011 ranked in the middle of the pack in Division II once again, at No. 7.

While the middle-of-the-road ranking for Riverhead isn't a change from the previous year, a glaring difference remains between the two years: when the Blue Waves earned a No. 6 seed last year, their record the previous year was 7-3. Heading into 2011, they'll be coming off a 2-6 campaign in 2010.

However, head coach Leif Shay said he still might have expected to be bumped up a notch or two. 

"Based on skill, I think we have a great bunch coming back," he said. Shay first pointed out incoming sophomore Jeremiah Cheatom, a running back who found the end zone twice in his varsity debut, in the. 

The Blue Waves lost four of their six games last year by one score or less, perhaps a sign of their inexperience. Shay said more than once during the season that at times, quarterback Ryan Bitzer "looked like a sophomore," completely understandable considering that he was. Moving forward, he has two more seasons to grow into Shay's offense and learn from his experiences.

The team will have little time to adapt. In its first game of the season, Riverhead is scheduled to travel to East Islip, the No. 1 seed in Division II and last year's runner-up in the playoffs. Last season, the Blue Waves, on their home turf.

"We'll be challenged right out of the gate," Shay siad. "We've always struggled with East Islip. But I like our schedule. I think we can be competitive in every game."

Despite the strength at the skill positions, Shay said his offense will be losing its best player from last season in Rodney Rollins. Shay said he's hoping Reggie Moore can step in at the h-back position and fill his shoes. At wideout, Mike Hinchy will return, and Shay called Quinn Funn "a real good football player." The coach added that the line "is going to be challenged," though is looking forward to seeing Kyle "Big Country" Harris, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior, on the line.

On the defensive side of the ball, a big adjustment will be replacing senior captain Owen Kuepp at inside linebacker. Shay cited a young and athletic secondary as one of his defense's strong suits. 

Division II will welcome three new teams this season and say goodbye to a few, for now. Bellport and Comseqogue will move to Division III, while West Islip will compete in Division I next season. Meanwhile, Walt Whitman, Deer Park, and Hauppauge will move to Division II.

2011 Seeds (with 2010 records)

1. East Islip (7-1)

2. Newfield (7-1)

3. West Babylon (5-3)

4. Smithtown West (6-2)

5. Half Hollow Hills West (3-5)

6. North Babylon (6-2)

7. Riverhead (2-6)

8. Deer Park (6-2, Division III)

9. Walt Whitman (1-7, Division I)

10. Smithtown East (3-5)

11. Hauppauge (4-4, Division III)

12. Centereach (2-6)

13. Copaigue (1-7)

14. Half Hollow Hills East (0-8)

2011 Tentative Schedule

Week 1: Sept. 10, @ East Islip

Week 2: Sept. 17, @ Hauppauge

Week 3: Sept. 24, vs. Half Hollow Hills West

Week 4: Oct. 1, vs. Half Hollow Hills East

Week 5: Oct. 6, @ Walt Whitman

Week 6: Oct. 15, @ West Babylon

Week 7: Oct. 22, vs. Copaigue

Week 8: Oct. 29, vs. Newfield