While most of the football teams in Section IV already kicked off their campaigns last week, Newfield has been hard at work preparing for its season opener on September 11 at Lansing. With a significant senior class heading off to their next chapters, that means there are quite a lot of different pieces to the puzzle this fall.
Of the 19 players the Trojans had last year, 11 graduated this past summer. The long list includes quarterback Warrior Miner, two-way stars Malcolm Jenkins and LeMari Spears, and multi-year starters Jackson Chaffee and Jesse Ayers. A new crop of players will undoubtedly have massive shoes to fill for what those seniors provided both on and off the field.
“There is no replacing those humans,” said head coach Ian Valentine. “We try to replace the production that they provided for us. We’ve got a group of guys that we’re excited to be able to see what they can do in their own right to replace the production that they’ve provided. We’re really happy with the way things have looked in camp, and I can’t wait to see it.”
This year’s roster is tasked with maintaining the level of progression that has happened throughout Valentine’s tenure. After going winless in Valentine’s first year at the helm in 2023, the Trojans recorded one win in 2024 (against Greene) and increased their tally to two wins last season, defeating Hoosic Valley and Elmira Notre Dame.
The Trojans were close to making it three wins in a row to end the 2025 campaign on a high note. They gave the eventual sectional champions Unatego/Franklin a hard-fought battle, one that they would ultimately lose 30-26. It was an honorable way for that big senior class to bow out.
“Last year, we were able to set some incredible building blocks for the guys that we have here at camp this year,” Valentine said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the effort that those boys put through because they were the sectional champs and we knew what they were going to be. We knew they were tough, and we stayed in it. We fought against everything. We were able to get a couple wins. The seniors that left set an incredible example for these boys that we’ve got here this year.”
When it comes to maintaining that level of progression in Valentine’s mind, it doesn’t necessarily have to be reflected solely based on wins and losses.
“It’s about continuing to develop through the process and keep building,” Valentine said. “As long as we are climbing, then we are on the trajectory we need. Obviously, the goal is always to be a sectional champion, but everybody’s at different stages of that. We expect big things from this group here. This is a great group of kids that has had an incredible summer worth of offseason, and we’re excited to see what they can do on the football field.”
Two of the Trojans’ returning players will share the spotlight on offense. Junior Gavin Jenney and sophomore Fred Rivera make up the quarterback room, and whichever of them is not suiting up under center will play at tailback. In terms of other weapons, sophomore Brogan Clark will feature on the outside in his first year at the varsity level, while senior Brookes Rainbow comes over from the soccer team.
Whether it’s 8-man or 11-man football, those skill position players will have a harder time producing if they’re not fortified with a strong offensive line. That unit will be a mix of youth and experience with senior Jacoby Mikula, junior Cameron Parsons and sophomore Mitchell Johnson.
“Jacoby is a leader on this team,” Valentine said. “He’s finally a senior. He’s going to anchor our offensive line. He’s going to be an absolute stud for us. We expect huge things from Cameron and Mitchell. If they can dominate the offensive line, then I think we’re able to move the ball in a way that we’ll be excited about.”
The 8-man football landscape in the section is unchanged from last year with the same seven teams. With four playoff spots up for grabs, the Trojans have every right to extend their season into November. It will still be a challenge especially with a younger squad, but it’s one that the Trojans will take head-on.
“I think the key is staying true to ourselves,” Valentine said. “We don’t pretend to be anything that we’re not. While we’ll scout the film and we’ll understand what tendencies [they] do, we are not looking outside of this program. We are staying true to what we do and who we are. We’re going to establish that identity, and we’re going to keep going no matter the opponent who is across from us.”
Following a three-game road trip to start the season, Newfield’s first home game will be on October 10 against Dryden.
