Porters Football Coach Tackles the Season

Greenport/Mattituck/Southold/Shelter Island Porters, a consolidation of players from four North Fork high schools, is unlike any other football program in the league. Though they lost 43-7 to the Babylon Panthers during their season opener on Sept. 11, the team trounced Wyandanch 36-6 on Sept. 17 during their first away game.

A contributor for North Fork Patch chatted with defensive coordinator Michael Miller, getting his thoughts on his unique team and what the rest of the season might hold.

Q: What have you been focusing on during practice?

A: Having the players know their personal assignment and responsibility for that week. We spend a lot of time as a coaching staff preparing for the next opponent. We want the players to recognize certain personnel, schemes, and alignment of their opponent. If we work on this all week, then when the game comes there should be no surprises.  

Q: What do you see as the team's biggest strength?

A: The leadership of the seniors. They lead by example. It is not always the coaches that have to keep the team on track or make sure they are doing what is expected. When respected team members police the other players, they have a greater tendency to listen and learn. They are role models for the younger players. They give the younger players something to strive and work for.

Q: What are the team's weaknesses?

A: Because we combine four different schools, players haven't grown up playing together. Some players don't know each other and there are many different personalities that come together for the football season.  When the season is over they compete against each other in different sports. Also, since players are commuting from different schools, all players don't get to practice at the same time because of bus schedules.

Q: Who are your standout players?

A: There are many standout players, on offense and defense. On offense, your captain should always be your quarterback. He needs to command and lead his team by example. Michael Mangimele is that quarterback. Along with Michael is (running back / linebacker) Ryan Malone.  He is a junior with potential I do not think even he knows that he has.

Q: What is the team's energy and attitude like on the field?

A: The energy and atmosphere on the field is high and energetic. The most important thing is that they are like this in practice. It is very easy to have energy in a game, but a true winner and competitor needs to have that same energy in practice, because that is really where the game is won and lost.

Q: How do you see the rest of the season playing out?

A: When I look at this team I see two teams. I see the team we can and should be, and I see the team we are. When those two teams meet, there is not much that we cannot accomplish.

Watch the Porters take on Mt. Sinai on Friday at 7 p.m. in Greenport.