The Record Blogs: Off the Record: Training camp report No. 17: Hoosic Valley High School

SCHAGHTICOKE -- The first wave of players through the Hoosic Valley High School football program graduated in June, meaning a new era begins this season for the Indians.

"That group of kids that graduated last year I had coached for four years," said Hoosic Valley head coach Jay Garvey. "To see them at practice was kind of strange, but it does feel like a completely new group. One or two (of the old players) will stop by and its nice to see them, but I wish they were still playing for us."

Hoosic Valley enters its fifth season on the varsity level this fall and some of the players that had played all four years for the Indians are gone, opening a door for junior Anthony Brundidge, who will assume the starting quarterback role in 2010.

Junior quarterback Anthony Brundidge drops back for a pass during a practice last week at Hoosic Valley High School. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Hoosic Valley has four starters returning from a team that went 2-7 a season ago, meaning the team also has some major holes to fill.

"We have some big guys and some good athletes," Garvey said. "Really, how successful we are early on in the season depends on how quickly we get up to speed and pick up what we need to pick up."

Gage Negro works on his blocking technique during a recent practice at Hoosic Valley High School. (Carras photo - The Record).

Still, the Indians are hopeful for 2010, mainly because Korey LePage served as the team's ringleader in the offseason, getting new guys into the weight room in hopes that they stuck with the team when practices started in August.

"There are a lot of new kids," said junior Korey LePage. "I kind of miss all the old kids helping out. They still come back. They’ll still be here."

For more on LePage's personal journey to the football field, check out Kickoff 2010 on Thurs., Sept. 2 in The Record.

Hoosic Valley sophomore Jacob Shave almost didn't play this season because of a history of concussions. Look for his story in the Kickoff 2010 section this Thurs., Sept. 2 in The Record. (Montgomery photo - The Record).

For video highlights from Hoosic Valley practice, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

Hoosic Valley playbook
COACH: Jay Garvey
STARTERS RETURNING: 4 offense, 4 defense
2009 RECORD: 2-7
NICKNAME: Indians
OFFENSE: Pistol
DEFENSE: 3-4
LAST PLAYOFF GAME: None
LAST SECTION II TITLE: None
DIVISION: Class C, North

Hoosic Valley, 2009 game-by-game results
MECHANICVILLE, L 28-6
Hoosick Falls, L 37-0
GRANVILLE, L 33-20
CORINTH, L 39-13
Schuylerville, L 49-13
WARRENSBURG, W 21-14
Tamarac, L 34-13
FORT EDWARD, L 28-21*
Ichabod Crane, W 49-8*
*Crossover game
Home games in CAPS

Hoosic Valley, 2009 stats review
Rushing, Att., Yds., Avg., TDs
Bradlee Claus, 102, 574, 5.6, 7
Passing, Comp., Att., Yds., Avg., TDs
Justin Meddis, 38, 104, 616, 16.2, 5
Receiving, No., Yds., Avg., TDs
Alex McNeice, 15, 315, 21.0, 2
Scoring, TD, 2-pt, PAT, FG, Tot.
Bradlee Claus, 7, 1, 0, 0, 44

Hoosic Valley head coach Jay Garvey (left) and quarterback Anthony Brundidge (right) talk about a play during a break in practice last week. (Carras photo - The Record).

Hoosic Valley 2010 Roster
No., Player, Yr., Pos. Ht., Wt.
1, Zack Pysher, Sr., RB-DB, 5-11, 170
7, Ray Schoonmaker, So., WR-DB, 5-10, 145
11, Sean Madigan, Sr., WR-DB, 6-2, 150
12, Tom Foley, Fr., WR-DB, 5-6, 110
13, Anthony Brundidge, Jr., QB-DB, 5-11, 160
22, John Reed, Jr., WR-DB, 6-1, 175
24, Richard Kepner, So., RB-DB, 5-2, 105
25, Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., RB-LB, 5-7, 185
26, Brett St. Onge, Jr., RB-DB, 5-5, 130
31, Rich Schoonmaker, Sr., RB-LB, 5-11, 185
32, Korey LePage, Jr., TE-LB, 5-10, 220
41, Kris Briggs, Jr., WR-DB, 5-7, 140
43, Nelson Prew, Jr., WR-LB, 6-2, 155
48, Josh DeFruscio, Jr., TE-LB, 5-11, 160
56, Kevin Pallozzi, So., OL-DL, 6-1, 180
57, Ken Hollenbeck, So., OL-DL, 5-9, 200
58, Jake Shave, So., WR-DB, 6-0, 180
60, Jacob Foley, Sr., OL-DL, 6-1, 230
61, Dan Smith, So., OL-LB, 5-10, 170
62, Tim Pysher, Jr., OL-LB, 5-11, 170
65, Chris Herrington, So., OL-DL, 5-9, 200
68, Brandon Smith, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 220
69, Gage Nigro, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 220
72, Anthony Davis, Jr., OL-DL, 6-2, 300
76, Jeff Simmons, Fr., OL-DL, 5-8, 150
77, Zak Harrington, So., OL-DL, 5-8, 230
78, Nyle Smith, Sr., OL-DL, 6-1, 170
86, Jake Hansen, Fr., RB-LB, 5-8, 160

Hoosic Valley’s three keys to the season
1, The new guys picking up the game.
2, Offensive line really developing. The Indians return just one starter up front.
3, Junior quarterback Anthony Brundidge. "It’s his first year starting," said head coach Jay Garvey. "How well he does is going to be how well we do. We’re going to throw the ball a fair amount and the better he does, the better we’re going to do offensively."

Hoosic Valley, 2010 schedule
Friday Sept. 3, at Greenwich, 7 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 11, vs. Tamarac, 1 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 18, vs. Catholic Central, 1 p.m.
Friday Sept. 24, at Lake George, 7 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 2, vs. Hoosick Falls, 1 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 9, at Granville, 1 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 16, at Stillwater, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22/29, Playoffs/Crossovers, TBA