North Shore improves to 5-1

In the past three years, the North Shore Vikings have had two winning football seasons. In both, they narrowly escaped sub .500 records going 5-4. This year, the Vikings have tied those season-high totals in wins through six weeks, sitting at 5-1 with two weeks left.
“You could say that we are surpassing expectations, for sure,” head coach Dan Agovino said. “We knew that we were graduating some key guys at the end of last year, but this group has been working hard at focusing on the task at hand week in and week out.”
The success for this year’s Vikings squad starts with the defensive line. Led by two-way lineman Andrew Franco, the dominant defensive line has kept opposing offenses confused and bewildered. The linebacking corps has been able to play well against the run, and the secondary has been keeping the lid on any vertical threats all year.
Through six weeks, North Shore has only allowed 10 points per game. Franco, who has played a big role in that, has been able to steal points via turnovers.
In a 33-6 win on Oct. 19, Franco intercepted Mineola quarterback James Salamone and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown to highlight a successful Homecoming day. He also blocked a punt that set his offense up on the five-yard-line.

“(The interception) was a great play by Franco,” Agovino said. “The quarterback was in trouble, he started to run out of the pocket, but somehow Franco read his eyes, dropped back and ended up getting the interception.”
Offensively, the Vikings were able to run rampant on Mineola, scoring four touchdowns on the ground. Jack Ledden rushed seven times for 122 yards and a touchdown. Will Scarola rushed seven times for 100 yards and a touchdown. Forrest Demetri rushed three times for eight yards and a score, while quarterback James DeSimone scampered into the endzone on a six-yard carry.
The Vikings now have two weeks and two opponents separating them from the playoffs. On Oct. 26, North Shore will welcome 1-5 Division to Glen Head in what could be a dangerous matchup, as history proves.
“I told my guys about a time in 2016 when we were 5-1 going into Week 7, we had just beaten Roosevelt, and we lost to an East Rockaway team that was in sixth or seventh place, and I hope they took that and processed it,” Agovino said. “(Division) is going to be scrappy, they’re fighters, and they’re going to try to beat us. We just have to take care of business.”
Agovino was sure to mention that it’s not just the big playmakers that are propelling North Shore to this successful season, its the “glue guys” that make the rights plays time after time, but may not get the recognition. He mentioned outside linebacker Luke Kenny and center Anthony Caprarella as two pieces that have been integral to the Vikings’ success on both sides of the ball.
“Those kinds of guys are real catalysts for us,” Agovino said. “All of these guys are really tight-knit, and they are a special group.”
Agovino was then asked the veracity of that statement, which he admitted was a cliché, before interjecting with: “Listen, I’ve been coaching for over 20 years, this group right here, this is a special group, and we’re really excited for the playoffs.”