Locals look to build off success

Lakeland is looking to build off its great season of a year ago, where it finished 13-3-1 and won the league title, before losing as the No. 3 seed to visiting No. 6 Yorktown 7-0 in the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Class B Tournament.

The Hornets return four All-League players from that squad in seniors, rusher Caroline Daly, wide receiver/safety Caroline Leonard, wide receiver/safety Emily Hahn and sophomore quarterback Aditi Parambath.

Daly is a quick and aggressive rusher who consistently puts pressure on the quarterback. She’s a disruptive defensive presence and plays with a lot of toughness and intensity.

Leonard is one of the Hornets’ most athletic and versatile players. She’s a strong receiver and makes plays on both sides of the ball.

Hahn is a very reliable player who understands the game well and consistently puts herself in the right position. Lakeland has high expectations for Hahn this season and expects her to play a big role on the team this spring.

Parambath has shown a lot of growth from last season as a freshman and is still maturing at the quarterback position. The Hornets expect her to continue building on that experience and have a very strong season leading the team’s offense.

Lakeland has a lot of newcomers this season whom coach PJ Nyberg anticipates will contribute and see significant playing time.

“It’s a little early to single out specific players, but we’ve had a number of athletes step up and we’re excited to see how that group develops as the season gets underway,” Nyberg said.

Nyberg said that Lakeland’s goals are to compete for and win the league title again and, more importantly, advance in the playoffs.

“To do that we’ll need to keep improving throughout the season, play disciplined football and execute consistently in big moments,” Nyberg said.

Looking to help Lakeland reach those goals are its captains, Daly, Leonard, Hahn, Samantha Del Ponte (wide receiver/cornerback) and Kacey Chin (wide receiver/cornerback).

“All five are seniors and have been in the program for at least three years, so they bring a lot of experience and a strong understanding of our culture,” Nyberg said. “We expect them to lead by example, help guide our newer players and set the tone for the team.”

For Nyberg, who coached Lakeland to the Section 1 Division II title in 2023, this is his fifth year of coaching the Hornets.

“It’s been a great experience working with the athletes and continuing to build the program,” said Nyberg, whose team will open the season by hosting Mahopac at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 20.

Yorktown

Yorktown will also look to continue its success from a season ago, when it finished 11-8 and made it to the sectional Final Four for the second year in a row, before losing at second-seeded Tappan Zee, which entered the game ranked No. 6 in the Class B state poll, 14-0 in the Section 1 Class B semifinals.

Returning after being named All-Section a season ago are seniors Eva Monaco and Stephanie Douglas. Monaco, who enters her third year on the team and is a captain, is an elusive player both as a runner and receiver, while Douglas is another captain, who is one of the team’s best defenders and is tough as nails.

Two All-League returning seniors are Maddy Reilly and Sydney Soliz. Reilly, one of the toughest two-way players the Huskers have, is a fierce running back and stout cornerback that is fearless.

Soliz came on strong as the season went on in 2025. She has blazing speed and toughness on the defensive side of the ball.

“We have a roster of returning players that we are excited about, 15 of our 22 players are seniors,” said Yorktown coach Mike Rescigno. “Nearly all of our seniors have been here since the ‘First Harvest’, our inaugural year.”

Rescigno said the team has a multitude of talented girls that love football. 

“They have completely bought in to the idea of selflessness,” Rescigno said. “We have taken extra steps to embed this in our thought process as leaders. We consider this entire team capable of leadership and performance. With that said the sky is the limit for them.”

Rescigno’s goal for this team is that it learns what it takes to leave a legacy. 

“We must perfect the art controlling our effort attitude and toughness in a way that represents our teammates before ourselves,” Rescigno said. “I have learned over the years that this goal is paramount far before you declare a goal of winning a certain number of games. My goal is always to win, the key to winning in my opinion is the former. Better people make better Huskers.”

For Rescigno, this is his third year coaching Yorktown’s flag football squad, after winning 100 games, including the 2017 Section 1 Class A title, coaching the Huskers’ tackle football team in the fall.

“It is an honor and privilege to be able to continue leaving the mark that only football can make in the women's sports arena with these girls,” Rescigno said. “Thankfully in Yorktown, our administration immediately saw the value in raising up our female athletes by immediately supporting a JV team as well. Our program is thriving with over 50 athletes between both teams.” 

Rescigno said that he has always believed that you must create a program to have the best experience and the best chance at success. 

“We have had some incredible athletes and families come through this program in a short time,” Rescigno said. “They built the foundation for tradition, pride and the culture that is now Yorktown flag football. I am so proud to be their head coach.”

Yorktown will open its season at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 at Mahopac.