For Yorktown’s Tyler Galante, it was a great way to end his high school football career.
Playing for the North, Galante caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from John Jay-East Fishkill quarterback Logan Lawrence in the Section 1 Senior Exceptional All-Star Game at Clarkstown North on Nov. 23, giving the North a thrilling 28-27 victory against the South.
“On the last play of the game I knew we had one shot left,” Galante said. “I told myself I had to do whatever it took to make a play. As the ball was snapped I saw the defender give me just a little bit of space and I trusted my quarterback would put it where I could get it. The moment I realized I held onto it in the end zone was unreal. The whole sideline started rushing toward me. Being surrounded by my teammates celebrating like that is a feeling I’ll never forget.”
What made the experience extra special for Galante (WR/RB/DB), who was named the game’s offensive MVP, was that he got to play with his fellow Husker captains and North teammates, Michael Desiderio (OL/DL) and Rocco Lore (OL/DL) and for the Yorktown coaching staff, which was coaching the North squad.
“Getting to play in this game with Michael Desiderio and Rocco Lore meant everything,” Galante said. “We’ve been through so much together. Sharing this moment with them felt like the perfect ending to our high school journey. Being coached by our staff one more time made it even more special. They’ve believed in us from day one and helped shape us into the players and leaders we are. To finish our high school careers all together one last time was something I’ll always be grateful for.”
Yorktown head coach Pantelis Ypsilantis was the head coach for the North, with his Yorktown assistants also on his staff for the all-star game. They were Jeff Cerar, Rob Cappelli, Brandon Trager, Joseph Streany, Gregory Brann, Brandon Martelli, Michael Benzinger, and Jason Lacayo.
John Jay-Cross River’s M.J. Garrity and Hendrick Hudson’s Gerald Gentile were assistant coaches for the North as well.
Gentile, a Yorktown graduate, was the starting right tackle as a senior for a Husker squad that made it to the Section 1 Class A title game in 2019. Benzinger was also a senior on that squad, playing tight end and defensive end.
“It was awesome to get the commitment from my staff to coach this very special game,” Ypsilantis said. “It offered a great opportunity for growth and gave us a chance to get another game in this year. I was truly humbled by the experience, because we had the opportunity to coach amazing kids and talents from all over Section 1.”
Ypsilantis said it was especially cool to coach players from rival teams whom the Yorktown staff has great respect for, like the kids from Lakeland, Mahopac, Brewster and Carmel.
“The players bought into what we are doing and there was a tremendous rapport that was built between players and coaches in just a short week,” Ypsilantis said.
Coaching players from other teams gave Ypsilantis a different perspective on them.
“It's one thing to admire these athletes from afar, but it is an entirely different experience to coach them and teach them and see how they carry themselves,” Ypsilantis said. “The goal of the Yorktown program is to help everyone work to be the best version of themselves and I feel like the players got a taste of what Yorktown football is all about.”
Standing out for Ypsilantis was being able to coach Galante, Desiderio, and Lore.
“Tybo, Desi, and Rocco are guys who are truly going to be missed in this program,” Ypsilantis said. “The fact that we got a chance to coach them for one last time was a fitting way to end our time with them. Obviously Tyler scoring the winning touchdown and being named offensive MVP was just icing on the cake. To see the joy on the faces of their parents was a really special moment.”
Ben Franco (OLB, captain), Kyle Ronk (OL, captain), Joe Kolesar (LS/LB), and Joe LaPeruta (QB/DB, captain) were the Lakeland players on the North.
“It felt great to play one last game with my Lakeland teammates and the great players that are in Section 1,” Ronk said.
Lakeland coach Ryan Shilling said that it was a great way for the four above seniors to wrap up their high school careers.
“All four are high character student-athletes who always represent Lakeland High School in a very positive manner,” Shilling said. “We are extremely proud of their accomplishments these past four years and wish them so much success in college and beyond. We worked a lot with the Yorktown program throughout the summer and I know our four players were really appreciate the Yorktown staff stepping up to coach that game. Thank you to coach Ypsilantis and his staff for making it a memorable experience.”
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