GRAHAMSVILLE –– Assessments of teams often rely on their degree of talent. To be sure, the 2022 Tri-Valley Bears have talent, particularly in their nexus of seniors led by iconic standouts Austin Hartman and Dylan Poley. But as the adage informs, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Combine talent with assiduous hard work, great team bonding, collective responsibility and a drive to succeed, and you have the elements that can indeed forge success. 

Last year was a big disappointment for the Bears and their coaching staff led by former Marlboro standout Kevin Crudele. A season-ending injury to Hartman was a blow the team never recovered from, though to his credit, then senior Brian Kelly stepped in and did an admirable job. That team had its issues as well, including a major flaw that Crudele refers to as “the blame game.” When things went wrong, players seemed to lack the unity of purpose to fix them. This year that is totally not the case. As Poley and Hartman both attest, this summer of hard work, practice and weightlifting forged a unique togetherness and unity. 

Seasons come and go, and people come and go with them. Each year features the exit of important pieces in the team puzzle as well as the entrance of others to reshape things. The retirement of defensive coaching guru John Allison represented a huge loss to the coaching staff. But the addition of Tim Dymond and Marshon Williams adds an exciting and energetic knowledge base to assist Crudele in his goal to return the Bears to prominence in the topsy-turvy world of Eight-Man Football. 

Dymond, who will head up the defense was a former Tri-Valley standout in the Bears championship hey days. He went on to play football at Sacred Heart University. Williams was a vital part of Liberty’s football team when the red and white were a force to be reckoned with. He has been coaching at Liberty but when a position opened at Tri-Valley and none was available to him at Liberty, he brought his toolbox of talent and experience with him. He’ll be coaching the modified team this year and helping with the varsity. Add in the additional help of Chris Russo and Peter Pekny and you have a group of leaders the team can learn from and rely on.  As for Crudele, his ability to lead and motivate are a proven fact. Now in his second year as head coach, his six years at T-V have seasoned him to the task. 

Crudele has implemented several new elements. First and foremost, he admits that last year’s level of conditioning fell short of the mark and cost them games. The fray against Ellenville was a prime example. This summer, that was addressed. This team is much more prepared than last year’s was. Crudele has installed an end-zone camera that films all practices. Players watch the films and are encouraged to make their own assessments as to how they performed. With a bevy of night games on the schedule, the team hopes to feed off the excitement of Friday night lights. But above all, Crudele feels the remarkable, chemistry and the bond his players are showing, things look very promising. 

As for Poley and Hartman, both proven warriors, this is their last high school hurrah on the gridiron and they have every intention of making it memorable. Look to them to provide leadership, especially to the younger players. Other seniors include Chris Russo, Dan Winters, Ian Mullen, Diego Estrada-Ruiz, Josh Carmody, Talan Scanna and Zach Kitaychik. Juniors include Colin Monell, Joseph Rodriguez, Matt Fanslau and Tony Ceballos. Six sophomores fill out the roster in Austin Olsen, Easton Scanna, Gary Hadden, Josh Fanslau, Matthew Trojahn, and Nicholas Foley.

The Bears will host a scrimmage on September 3 that will include Fallsburg, Onteora and Ellenville. They open their season at home on September 10 against Dover before traveling to defending champion Spackenkill on week two. 

Crudele looks to the non-league games as a good first test to see how the things that were implemented are shaking out. “As far as I’m concerned, we’d like to win those games, but if we leave with no one injured, I consider that a victory,” he said. After all, the league games will determine which teams make the playoffs. Crudele believes in the flexibility of his players and their ability to adapt. “We’ll be playing the puzzle game. Guys that were in certain positions last year may not be in the same positions as they were before. We’ll put together what works for us,” he concluded. If preseason indications pan out, Tri-Valley is in for an exciting and hopefully memorable football season this fall.