Rivertowns Football Teams Kick Off Summer Practices

RIVERTOWNS, N.Y. -- The start of Westchester-area high school football practice is usually accompanied by 90 degree temperatures and humid double sessions, but teams from the Rivertowns enjoyed milder weather as they began summer preseason this week.

Dobbs Ferry head football coach Jim Moran works through a pass-and-defend drill during the second day of summer practice on Tuesday, Aug. 19
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Hastings High School football players were out at summer practices that began on Monday, Aug. 18.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Blocking techniques are one of the most important aspects of summer football practice at Hastings High School, which began Monday, Aug. 18.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Players learn gap responsibility at afternoon practice at Ardsley High School on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Ardsley High School football coach Colin Maier puts his squad through a drill at summer practice.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

The Dobbs Ferry Eagles' 2014 football season standard is "Win Your Battle."
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

by Danny LoPriore

08/19/2014 4:00 p.m.

Dobbs Ferry, Hastings and Ardsley high schools began their workouts Monday, Aug. 18, and continued with just helmets Tuesday, Aug. 19, before going to full pads later in the week.

"We usually have about 26 guys out for the team, and that's what small-school football is like," Dobbs Ferry's fourth-year coach, Jim Moran, said during morning practice. "We have a good group of kids, and the weather makes it a lot easier to work."

Dobbs Ferry, 6-2 last season and the New York State Class C champion in 2011, was ranked last week by MaxPreps as one of five Westchester schools among the Top 20 most dominant programs in the last 10 years in New York state.

The Eagles open their regular season Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1:30 p.m. at Yonkers Montessori School.

In Hastings, head coach Chris Wagner is in his third year as Yellow Jackets coach and hopes to improve on last year's 3-4 record. Wagner led neighboring Dobbs Ferry to the 2007 Class C state title.

Hastings opens its season at Westlake High School, Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1:30 p.m.

Ardsley, 5-4 last year, is coached by Colin Maier, who is in his ninth season as Panthers coach.

"Things are good, and we expect to be prepared to compete as we did last year," Maier said during Tuesday's afternoon practice. "Getting to be one of the best teams in our class is up to the players and how much they want to accomplish."

The Panthers open their season hosting neighboring Edgemont on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1:30 p.m.

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