Rangers begin a new chapter

Dan Pincelli was hired this summer as the third varsity football coach since Spencerport brought the sport back in 1997 and there is a feeling of optimism on the Rangers campus.

With four returning starters on the offensive line, Pincelli expects Graig Baxter, Jason Knight, Brett Jones, David Pels and newcomer Marc Giullari "to be the heart and soul of our team." Add senior tailback and second-team All-County pick David Wilbern with newcomer Ian Love in the backfield and the Rangers plan to use more of a ball control offense.

Junior David Stevens will get a shot at quarterback with senior John Hahn among his primary targets.

First team defensive lineman Pels anchors the defensive front along with Baxter and Giullari on the line. Wilbern and Stevens will play linebacker with Hahn and Love in the secondary. Senior Kyle Muir will handle the punting and kicking duties and be back at linebacker after his selection to the first team All-County list as a punter last year.

"Our defense will be a swarming, high intensity unit that has shown great effort and energy in pursuing the football," Pincelli said. "We look for them to dictate the pace of the game and to create turnovers and opportunities for our offense."

The Rangers are coming off a 2-7 campaign and three consecutive seasons under .500. Spencerport has been above .500 in two of their eight seasons since reinstatement including a team record 8-1 four seasons ago. They move back to Division III in Monroe County after playing the last three in Division II.

The season opens with three consecutive road games at Pittsford, East Irondequoit and Brighton before finishing with three home games against Greece Arcadia September 24; Irondequoit, October 1 and Batavia, October 8.

"With a brand new staff and added enthusiasm for Spencerport Football on the part of the coaches, players and parents, we are looking to bounce back from the past couple of years," Pincelli said. "I am extremely excited about the potential of this team and this program. With the hard work and dedication that many of our players have shown, we look to reach the high level of expectations that we have set for ourselves."