MAHOPAC , N.Y.—It won’t be easy for Mahopac in the fall of 2025, but optimism runs rampant throughout the football program, which has about 150 players participating in the Mahopac Sports Association youth tackle program and approximately 100 student-athletes engaging in its high school system.
The Wolf Pac’s league, Class A-A, is filled with opponents as tough as any in New York state, including three-time reigning state champion Somers, plus bordering rival Carmel and perennial power Yorktown. Surely, the road to Mahopac’s first Section 1 title is a tough row to hoe as coach Dominick DeMatteo embarks upon his ninth season.
That won’t slow their roll, though, but chances are their Week 4 showdown with Somers will likely tell us all we need to know as Mahopac travels to challenge coach Anthony DeMatteo’s Tuskers for a significant battle between the coaching brothers.
Leading up, Mahopac will test its mettle in a Week 0 game on Sept. 5 against host Queensbury, then open its Section 1 slate at home on Sept. 12 against Clarkstown North before visiting Brewster on Sept. 19.
After starting the 2024 campaign at 4-1, the Wolf Pac lost three of its final five games, including a 14-7 playoff defeat to Harrison to conclude the year at 6-4 overall.
“This year, we want more,” said coach DeMatteo, who has achieved six winning seasons over the last eight years with five consecutive winning seasons and four straight playoff appearances. “We are very excited about the 2025 season.”
With a good portion of the roster returning this fall, expectations are soaring as the veteran playmakers have made significant gains in size and stature, including senior RB-LB Nate Mascoll, who, at 5-11 and 185 pounds, features the size and speed that should provide the Wolf Pac with a game-breaking threat. Mascoll played just 3.25 games due to injury last season with 52 carries for 332 yards (6.4 per carry), two rushing TDs and three receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. The projected captain, who carries a 98 average, also serves as a member of Mahopac High Symphonic and Jazz Bands (trumpet and piano).
“Nate will be one of the best football players in Section 1 and potentially all of New York state this season,” coach DeMatteo said of Mascoll, who has offers from Division I football championship subdivision schools like Cornell, Amherst and Williams, among others, including Columbia, Dartmouth and Yale.
Junior QB Ethan Dedvukaj (78 completions, 144 attempts, 955 passing yards, 7 TDs) showed flashes of excellence in his sophomore season and figures to be far more consistent as he sets up under center in a chiseled frame that tops out at 6-2, 210 pounds.
“Ethan earned the starting quarterback position as a sophomore last season,” coach DeMatteo said of Dedvukaj, who will also handle all the kicking and punting duties. “He has had a very productive off-season and continues to get bigger, faster and stronger. Ethan has the potential for a big season this fall.”
At 5-8 and 155 pounds, senior WR-RB Lorenzo Echandy (17 receptions, 418 yards, 5 TDs; 1 carry, 16 yards, 1 TD) will be utilized as a Swiss Army knife, both out of the backfield and on the perimeter with a solid connection with Dedvukaj. He will also return punts and kicks.
“Lorenzo evolved into one of our most dynamic players last season,” DeMatteo said. “He was a vertical threat in the pass game, a consistent cover corner on defense and a reliable punt and kick returner with the ability to make a big play every time he touched the ball. He has had a very productive off-season and he is poised to build on his success from last season. Lorenzo will be one of the better players in Class A and potentially Section 1 this fall.”
Another target at Dedvukaj’s disposal is senior TE-DE Matt Dugan, a 6-4, 225-pound target over the middle.
“Matt improved every week as the season progressed last year,” coach DeMatteo said. “At times, during our summer camps, Matt has proven to be unblockable. He has had a great off-season and is poised to be a difference-maker in Section 1 this fall.”
Senior TE-DE Matt Reilly, plus versatile junior Ryan LaRue and Dom Iacono (RB-LB) provide additional weapons.
The players are over the moon in anticipation.
“Me and all my teammates and coaching staff are very stoked to get this attack going and prove to the whole league that we are the best,” Dedvukaj said. “Kids like Ryan LaRue are going to step up big this year. He is versatile and can make plays at all three levels, and we all know what Nate and Lorenzo can do.”
A beefed-up offensive line features tackles Peter Grishaj (6-4, 275) and Johnny Feaver (6-0, 215), center Matthew Bentivenga (5-11, 250), Brendan Duffy (OL-DL), Angelo Moschetta (OL-DL), plus junior Max Smolinski (OL-DL). Each will have a significant role, according to the coach, who was quick to praise his hog mollies.
“Peter and Matt played every snap on an offensive line that generated over 2,500 yards of total offense and 26 touchdowns,” DeMatteo said. “Peter has evolved into another vocal leader for our program on and off the field. He made a tremendous jump in productivity this past season in lieu of the fact that his sophomore year was his first year of football. He will be a major part of our success on the offensive and defensive lines this season.
“Matt Benti has evolved into a vocal leader for our program on and off the field,” the coach added. “His enthusiasm is infectious and his passion for the game runs deep. Matt will return as a three-year starter at center, and we have high expectations for him at defensive tackle as well this fall.”
Dedvukaj believes the on-field bonds will be beneficial.
“I believe our O-line will be the best in the section, those are my guys,” Dedvukaj said.
The defense is also shored up by senior linebacker Michael Trinchitella, a gifted athlete and crafty thinker in and out of the box.
“Michael has demonstrated the ability to effectively play in the box or on the perimeter as a linebacker,” coach DeMatteo said. “He also possesses a thorough understanding of our defensive philosophy and schemes. Michael had a very productive season as a junior on the field and during off-season workouts. He has the potential to be one of the better linebackers in Section 1 this fall.”
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