Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

MCHS Football

Ten Mohawk student athletes will return to the field as part of Massena Red Raiders varsity teams this year.

“We feel very good about this season, I think our best strength as a whole is quickness and speed,” football Coach Anthony Diagostino said.

The team will include sophomores Montana Pierce and Michael Gardner, juniors Kanietahare, Blake Lazore, Destin Thomas and Carl Thompson and senior Austin Thompson. Last year, they finished with a 6-5 overall record, 5-3 in the regular season. They lost in the state quarterfinal round to Queensbury.

Diagostino said he doesn’t see any particular squad as the team to beat.

“All games are key games for us,” he said. “All teams are tough to play, but especially tougher in the postseason, because it is lose and go home.”

Their senior recognition will be Oct. 9.

MCHS Soccer

The boys soccer team returns from finishing third place in the NAC Central Division last year. The squad includes goalie Turner Thomas Sr., striker Shane Tarbell and midfielder Hunter Pyke Jr.

I am positive and upbeat about our season,” Coach Pat Henrie said. “It is early, but we are getting better everyday.”

The team finished the 2014 season with a 7-6-2 record, 6-4-2 in their division. They won the Section 10 Class A sectionals and were defeated by Peru in state playoffs, Henrie said.

“Scoring is one of the things we need to improve on and always fundamentals can be stronger,” according to Henrie. “Every game is key for us. Everyone has good programs. We always want to win sectionals, though.”

He says they have to beat the Franklin Academy Huskies in order to get there.

“They are always tough so we will just have to wait and see,” the coach said.

Their senior recognition is Oct. 15.

MCHS Girls Soccer

The girls soccer team has no Akwesasne players in its 2015 roster.

They finished last year with a 9-11 record.

“We got off to a rough start. All of our loses, with the exception of one game, were one-goal loses,” Coach Ryan Hayes said.

They bested the Huskies for the Section 10 crown, advancing to defeat Peru in the first round of state playoffs. They lost in the quarterfinal round to Section 3 champs Jamesville-DeWitt.

“All league games in the Central Division will be key,” Hayes said. “Everyone is competitive and any wins will be considered good wins.”

The squad includes eight seniors and 11 returning players.

They senior recognition will be Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Swimming Coach Emily Aumond did not return a request for comment.