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Ossining High Football Team Hungry For Redemption This Fall

OSSINING, N.Y. -- Last season was an uncharacteristic one for the Ossining High football team, which missed the playoffs.

Team leaders, from L: Sr. C/DT Robert Jones, Sr. RB/S Kyle Cristello, Sr. T/DE Iran Cedano, Sr. G/LB Adonnis Torres.

Team leaders, from L: Sr. C/DT Robert Jones, Sr. RB/S Kyle Cristello, Sr. T/DE Iran Cedano, Sr. G/LB Adonnis Torres.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Ossining Pride run sprints in practice in preparation of the September 4 opener vs. Greeley.

The Ossining Pride run sprints in practice in preparation of the September 4 opener vs. Greeley.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Pride Head Coach Dan Ricci runs practice this week at Ossining High School.

Pride Head Coach Dan Ricci runs practice this week at Ossining High School.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Ossining junior QB Liam O'Connor runs the ball in practice this week.

Ossining junior QB Liam O'Connor runs the ball in practice this week.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Ossining players listen to Head Coach Dan Ricci.

Ossining players listen to Head Coach Dan Ricci.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Ossining players do stretching exercises at the end of practice.

Ossining players do stretching exercises at the end of practice.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

So this fall, the Pride are looking for more.

"Most of these kids have been on varsity for three years now, so they now what its all about," Pride coach Dan Ricci told Daily Voice. "They took a tough year last year, going to AA for the first time. We went 2-7 - that's not typical of Ossining teams, so we look forward to a much-improved football team this year."

Ossining will be in AA again this fall, but Ricci believes the season will unfold differently.

"These kids are hungry," Ricci said. "More kids spent more time in the weight room, more kids are dedicated, and they seem to be more team-oriented than last year's team."

Ricci has high hopes for his running game, and with good reason. "We have four very talented running backs," he said, "Damani Harrison, Shamar Holebrook, Mekhi Knox and Kyle Cristello. Those guys are gonna get the ball the majority of the time. Our quarterback is Liam O'Connor, he's much improved after starting the last three games last season. So we think we have a good mix, and the line is experienced."

Ossining opens the season at home on Friday, Sept. 4, taking on Greeley at 7 pm.

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