Push back to the playoffs is Larkin’s goal

Larkin’s push for its first playoff berth since 2006 has heft behind it.

Providing the muscle are two of the biggest senior offensive linemen in the Upstate Eight Conference, Alex Schabert (6-2, 320) and Adam Hamiel (6-3, 285).

Right guard Schabert is a returning all-area pick and a two-time all-UEC River selection with interest from several major Division-I college programs. Hamiel will play left guard. Each enters his third varsity season.

Fourth-year coach Mike Scianna, now a Drivers’ Education teacher at the high school, believes his team can make a legitimate run at 6 victories and challenge for the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title. The Royals finished 3-6 overall last season, 2-4 in the River (tied for fifth).

Last season the Royals equaled the longest playoff absence in school history when they missed the postseason for the fifth straight year. Call it a motivating factor.

“We need to play well because I really don’t want to be part of the longest drought of this school not making the playoffs,” Scianna said. “That’s the first goal. The kids have some lofty goals. They want to win the conference. We know that’s going to be an uphill battle, but we have some talented players. I want them to have lofty goals.”

Larkin’s athleticism runs deep. Senior Maurice Jackson returns to lead the offense. The all-UEC River tailback rushed for 800 yards as a junior and has a 1,000-yard season in his sites. Jackson and senior fullback Kory Plate (5-10, 176) will run behind Schabert, Hamiel senior Will Rodriguez (6-1, 200) and junior Quentyn Jackson (6-1, 180).

Taking over for graduated three-year starting quarterback Kyle Newquist is Kemmerin Blalark (6-0, 183), a fleet-footed junior. “He’s progressing,” Scianna said. “He’s our top guy at the position. We need him to be a leader.” Junior Anthony Blalark (5-10, 170), Kemmerin’s cousin, plays wide receiver.

Senior outside linebacker JD Darke (5-11, 180) is the only full-time member of the defense returning. Many of the offensive players named above will play both ways, including Rodriguez (end) and Plate (middle linebacker). Schabert and Hamiel will rotate at defensive line spots, particularly in short-yardage and goal line situations.

The Royals have a small senior class and a roster of 40, thus juniors will start at more positions than in most years.

“We’re young. That’s kind of our theme this year,” Scianna said. “The junior group is a good group, but they don’t have any experience on the varsity level. They’re tough kids and we expect them to battle.

“We feel we can compete, even with the bigger teams like Batavia and Geneva. We just have to stay healthy.”