Keith Lizzi has always wanted to lead a football program, and he now has the opportunity to as the new head coach at East Meadow.
But as his Jets fell 42-14 last Friday night to an Oceanside team that has been under the same leadership for the last 16 years, Lizzi witnessed what East Meadow could become and how much further it needs to go to get there.
“Oceanside is a team that has been at the top of the league for a long time and they got a great thing going over there,” said Lizzi. “They're a very polished team, and we're a work in progress, but what I'm seeing are positive steps forward.”
Lizzi earned the job in East Meadow after spending the last four years as an assistant in Lynbrook. Officially hired in June, he only had a couple of months to settle in before the start of training camp.
Six weeks into the regular season, he’s still trying to catch his bearings.
“It's definitely a long-term working process,” Lizzi said. “We had to hit the ground running. You're going to go through a little bit of bumps and a little bit of issues just because it's a new system and new coaches. But it’s been great. Everyone has been supportive.”
But even with the rocky start, East Meadow has maintained its preseason ranking with a 3-3 record in Conference I and, more importantly, its identity.
“East Meadow has always had a tradition of being a very tough, physical program,” said Lizzi. “We want to build on that and continue that. We want to come in with toughness and we want to come in with discipline. Regardless of whatever the scheme is, you're going to get a physical game.”
Perhaps no player has embodied that identity more for the Jets than senior linebacker Anthony Montealegre, who has endured through his senior season while playing with a torn ACL.
“He refused to give up,” said Lizzi. “He's a strong kid. It's inspirational. That's the type of passion that I want my younger kids to have.”
Along with senior Ryan Michel, Montealegre has led a Jets defense that has largely carried an offense that has dealt with its own injury issues.
Before the season began, starting quarterback Trevor Smith was ruled out for the year after being rushed to the hospital and spending days in the ICU with blood clots in both his shoulder and lungs.
Smith, a junior, has since made a full recovery after undergoing surgery and is expected to play next season.
When he does, Lizzi looks forward to having him play a part in bringing East Meadow closer to its ultimate goal.
Leading the Jets’ charge for a playoff spot are junior James Galiano, who on Oct. 10 rushed for three touchdowns and passed for one in a 45-14 win over Hempstead, senior wideout/cornerback Eric Garcia, who reached the end zone twice that afternoon, senior two-way linemen Josh Vargas and Manny Martinez, junior two-way starting lineman Yannis Kakavas, and two-way starters Isaiah Perkins and Izaiah Richards.
“When you can lead a program from the top down, varsity, JV, all the way down to the middle school and youth programs, you bring the community together through football,” said Lizzi. “It’s a whole other animal. There’s a reason why homecoming is a football game.”
East Meadow takes on Valley Stream Central at home this Friday at 3 p.m.
