An idea that I have been playing around with for a while is having outside contributors to this blog. Up until now, it has been one person doing this, so what you have been seeing is one person’s viewpoint and opinion, and while I have done my best to cover all teams fairly and equitably, the NYCHSFL covers such a broad area that it just is not feasible for me to be everywhere at once. I have to pick and choose which games to go to in person, and sometimes I am just not able to get to games due to outside obligations.

This is a clear flaw with this page, but it is no more. To expand coverage, I have reach tentative agreements with two current or former coaches in the NYCHSFL (head coaches, assistance coaches, coordinators, etc.) to be part of the “Coach’s Corner.” As I provide perspective as a former player who played football in high school, these contributors will be giving their commentary as folks who actually coached the game. Their expertise is inherently different from mine, as they have first hand knowledge in how to break down film, what actually occurs in the coach’s room, as well as additional insight as to the key matchups.

I am excited to add additional content to Pete’s Take on the NYCHSFL. Onto the coaches:

• Coach X and O screen name @xandocoach:
  • Coach X and O has been coaching for over 14 years, and has been able to coach at every level of the game, including Youth football, Middle School, JV, and Varsity. He has coached mainly on the offensive side of the ball, holding roles as various position coaches, and as offensive coordinator. He has coached at various programs in the NYCHSFL on multiple championship caliber teams. He is a high-energy coach who is extremely big on the little things. Coach X and O is big on the technical side of football. Details matter. Alignment matters. Technique matters. Communication matters. Preparation matters. A lot of the time, the difference between winning and losing comes down to things that don’t necessarily show up on a stat sheet. He can talk for hours talking ball, breaking down concepts, discussing schemes and arguing about different ways to attack or defend something. That’s one of his favorite parts of coaching. Welcome Coach X and O to the page, and I look forward to his contributions.

• Coach Redzone Rick @coachredzone:
  • Coach Redzone Rick (RZ) is what happens when you bring a quarter century of gridiron grit to high stakes Catholic League action. From cracking pads in the trenches, to calling plays on the sideline, Coach Rick has lived every inch of the field for25 years. Coach Rick has spent decades decoding defensive schemes, sniffing out mismatches, and knowing exactly when a coordinator is about to dial up a trick play on 4th and short. Now, he brings this deep playbook of player, and coach experience straight to Pete’s Take on the NYCHSFL. Forget generic stats, and safe predictions, RZ breaks down the NYCHSFL from the inside out, evaluating trench warfare, QB reads, and raw momentum to his definitive picks of the week. Whether it is ‘AAA’ powerhouses locking horns, or classic rivalry games decided in the final minutes, Coach Redzone Rick knows who has the juice and who’s bound to fold under pressure. Time to lock in, RZ is here and the Redzone breakdown starts now. Welcome Coach Redzone Rick to the page, and I look forward to his contributions.

As with everything, it will take some time for them to get their feet wet and into a rhythm, but I am super excited. Their posts will go on my main feed, but on the desktop version, they will have their own column as well.

Next up? Week 0! Keep an eye out for my predictions.