The 1998 edition of a rejuvenated group of football players set to reclaim a medium of respectability among the Great Neck North Blazer supporters provokes a special optimism in the Blazer camp on the eve of a new season. Though the remembrance of a youthful rebuilding squad which produced an uninspiring 1-7 conference record last year plus a resounding loss to the crosstown South Rebels remains a disillusioned experience, the prospect of a more experienced, deeper squad with greater overall size bodes well for positive results on the field.

The current roster lists 27 members with a balanced makeup of 15 seniors, nine juniors and three sophomores who will be utilized in frequent rotating units to afford a steady flow of action with a lessening of late game fatigue and fresh troops available when needed. If history repeats itself, this team could compare with the 1994-95 squads which went from 1-8 tie to 7-2 in a similar setting, preceded #11 and #14 each time.

Jeff Jablonowski has assumed the reins as head coach, succeeding Mark Greene at the helm, with a highly proficient staff of aides Alan Balkan and recent Hofstra alumnus David Ettinger who set kicking and scoring records at his alma mater. Coach Jablonowski presents his football agenda and outlook as follows: "The key to our success will be a constant aggressiveness on the field, particularly on defense, creating turnovers and a minimum of mental mistakes with an emphasis on proper play execution. Our basic offensive schemes will evolve from the wing-T formation with its variations, showing more running plays than passing but featuring play-action and occasional run-and-shoot passing using flankers to achieve outside yardage. My prime goal is to create a positive attitude among the players with a special dedication of purpose to display topnotch results. Meeting an array of eight Conference III teams seeded #6 through #13 offers us a chance to compete favorably with a winning season a hopeful result."

The key to the operation of the Blazers on offense will be the emergence of senior Byron Hakimi at quarterback, succeeding Josh Golbert who handled the position full time last year. At a compact 5' 9", 170 lbs. Byron offers an overall athleticism which includes agility in his play calling and execution, quickness when called upon to run and a crisp passing technique with mid-range accuracy. Though sophomore Travis Brennan will play mostly on defense when called upon, he is being groomed at QB down the road but will only appear there in an emergency this season.

Heading a diversified running corps, junior Dan Hakakian should develop as a heavy duty ball carrier at fullback using his 5' 11", 180 lbs. frame to pile up yardage in the manner of 1995 star Andy Stergiopoulos. Last year Dan totaled 450 yards on the ground, mostly compiled late in the season. Senior Parsa Kiai will also receive ball carrying opportunities but will display his aggressive attributes as a key defender at linebacker. Senior twins Doug and Steve Gould, along with promising sophomore Greg Hayim and junior scatback D.J. Dashti, will also run at tailback and wingback while also useful as receivers on short passing plays.

Other pass receivers at split end will be headed by erstwhile QB senior Josh Golbert and newcoming seniors Michael Schwartz, Mike Schaoul and Fred Michaels while tight ends Corey Greenberg and Adam Daniels will include extra blocking duties with limited receptions.

The offensive and defensive lines along with a versatile linebacking unit will play a key role in the ultimate success game after game with over half the squad performing in these positions, most playing both ways with diverse assignments. At center senior captain Sam Nassi, sturdy at 5' 7", 175 lbs. and Oren Bonen (6' 3", 210 lbs.) will split time and will also appear on defense at linebacker and tackle. At the guards seniors Jon Oheb, Jason Menashe, junior Chris Fellini and sophomore Shuto Oikawa will be the frontliners with Dave Zelouf and Steve Goltche also available. In Mike Nazarian (6' 3", 230 lbs.) and Joel Wurtzel (6' 3", 215 lbs.) plus smaller members Gabe Gehari and Arash Rahbar, the Blazers will be well manned at the tackle positions, both ways, with Oikawa playing the nose tackle on defense. Linebackers include Kiai, Daniels, Michaels and Fellini while the Gould twins, Brennan and Greenberg will play end on defense.

The defensive secondary shapes up in fine fashion with Alon Yaghoubi, Hayim, Schwartz, Dashti, Golbert and Hakimi playing the corner backs and free safety slots. At press time, Parsa Kiai and soccer star Mike Goldberg were listed as kickoff and place kickers while Hakimi will handle left footed punting duties.

The season opener on Sept. 19 at West Hempstead offers a great chance for the Blazers to start strongly against the #13 seeded Rams. Key games later on include Plainedge on the Oct. 17 homecoming game plus high ranked Mineola, Lynbrook and Sewanhaka with the season closer at home against Great Neck South. Here's looking forward to a worthwhile season with support from the student body, local fans and parents.