Football: North Rockland turns page after coach's passing, dawns new era with James Hickey

THIELLS - What would Tom Lynch do?

The former North Rockland football coach lived life like how he ran his smashmouth, run-heavy offenses on the field: unafraid to power through any obstacle that stood in his way.

James Hickey vividly remembers Lynch's dedication to his craft until his death in December. Lynch continued to dissect film, scribble detailed handwritten notes, attend practices and games and devise game plans − all while battling cancer.

"He was a father figure to some, and he was a mentor to others, but ultimately, he was the face of our program and he led us," said Hickey, a former North Rockland quarterback and 2004 graduate who takes over as the team's new head coach. "So, it was definitely hard on a lot of the guys. It's never easy, losing a mentor, a coach and the leader of our program for many years.

"I had to think about what Coach Lynch would want us to do. He was a football coach. He wouldn't want us sitting around, moping and feeling sorry for ourselves, he would want us to get to work, and that's what we did. We got to work right away."

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After directing offseason workouts and training sessions, Hickey led his first official practice on Saturday as a head coach. With uptempo music blaring through the speakers, the Red Raiders haven't missed a beat, drilling and working through the afternoon.

They took the time to grieve their former coach's death, but are now using his memory as motivation.

"It was really upsetting, and it was a tough offseason for us," North Rockland senior quarterback Tyler Italiano said. "Now, we're coming in here with just one goal in mind and that's just make it as far as we can in sections and do it for him. There's a lot of change going on, but I really think we have the potential to do that."

The Red Raiders have had great coaching continuity over the years, with just four head coaches dating back to 1956: Ralph Cordisco, Joe Casarella, Lynch, and now, Hickey.

"I think there's pressure, but it's good pressure," Hickey said. "Pressure makes diamonds. I'm excited about the pressure, but I'm also eager to see how our players go out there and compete. We're trying to do all the right things in the classroom with our meetings and practicing. I'm interested to see how it all translates to the field."

The Red Raider alumnus isn't a complete stranger to his team, after joining the staff as an assistant last year. He took a more prominent coaching role, along with Gary Dworkowitz, when Lynch's health declined midway through the season.

Dworkowitz is back as a secondary coach and will help defensive coordinator Joe Gizzi, who will mostly be in control of North Rockland's front seven. Former Paramus Catholic head coach Steve Rybak joins the staff as the linemen coach and run game coordinator. Ryback was part of a coaching staff that won two state titles at DePaul Catholic in New Jersey, and also coached at Bergen Catholic.

Before coaching at North Rockland, Hickey also garnered coaching experience at William Paterson University and at New Jersey high schools Don Bosco Prep and Randolph. Hickey also played college football at C.W. Post and Bryant.

"Coach Lynch influenced me a lot as a player and as a man," junior running back Freddy Vazquez said. "It's very sad to see him go. I was looking forward to playing with him this year, and it's sad to see him gone.

"There's a lot of change, but we're adapting really fast and I trust Hickey, and I trust what he's doing with this offense. He's going to make us go far this year."

Hickey modernized aspects of North Rockland's offense last season, but the Red Raiders are now fully embracing the spread offense.

Miscues and turnovers doomed them early in their 5-4 campaign last fall, but they settled in after dropping their first two games. With added time to grow more familiar in the new system, North Rockland is excited to hit the ground running and shed the traditional Wing-T.

Bryan Malivert and Justin Henriquez will be key returners up front. Vazquez and Albertus Magnus transfer Gamie Sauveur will lead the running game, while Ethan Farrar and Greg Becker serve as primary receiving targets. Italiano reprises his role as starting quarterback.

"Football is turning into a passing game, and North Rockland's been a running team forever," Becker said. "Coach Lynch was really the old school, run the ball down their throats until they stopped you, then hit you with one pass offense. Hickey is going to try to dominate both ways, and I think defensive coordinators are going to have big trouble with him this year."

Defensively, North Rockland hopes to remain firm. It averaged 15.2 points allowed per game last fall. However, 69 of their 137 total points allowed over nine games last season came against Section 1 Class AA finalists Arlington and Carmel.

Hickey and the Red Raiders look forward to their Sept. 2 season opener against Section 9's Monroe-Woodbury.

They can't wait to get the regular season underway and make Lynch and others around them proud.

"Even though we have a young team, we have a lot of really good leaders that have stepped up," Hickey said. "We want to give our community something to be proud of again."

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Football: North Rockland opens camp under new coach James Hickey