Super Seven

WARWICK-A few years ago Steven Prescod didn't have much of a chance to go to college. Let alone play football at the next level. Growing up in Mount Vernon he didn't have very good grades when he transferred to Warwick after eighth grade. But thanks to assistant coach James Sciarra, who is also a teacher in the high school, Prescod raised his average almost a full latter grade. Now that the running back is in better shape academically, he is anticipating a January acceptance from Springfield College or Central Connecticut State where he plans to major in business and play football. "As educators, that is what it's all about,"said Warwick Football Head Coach Greg Sirico. "It's not always about wins and losses. He really turned himself around." Prescod says he plans to work hard in the weight room while he waits for the 2006 football season wherever it takes him. He could sure use the break after Sirico gave him the ball 31 times this year in a win over Minisink Valley. Six other Warwick players will be sweating it out in double sessions in a few months, as Alex Darcey (running back) Josh Horowitz (OL), Rob Lax (quarterback), Tim Marion (running back/linebacker), Warren Patafio (OL), and John Schamarek (linebacker) made their official announcements Wednesday afternoon at the Media Center, in Warwick Valley High School. Patafio will play for Division 1-AA Marist College, and according to their running back coach Dan Clark, he has a great chance to come in and compete for a job as early as next fall. "We still think he is growing," said Clark, who recruited Patafio. "In a few years we see him as a 6-foot-6 monster. We brought in eight offensive lineman for next year and he is one of two or three guys who can play anywhere on the line." The 6-foot-2 lineman takes an 82 Grade Point Average to Poughkeepsie where he plans to study Business. Darcey and Schamarek head to Ithaca College and will each major in communications. "I had the time of my life here," said Darcey. "I'll show everyone at Ithaca what Warwick football is about." Horowitz will study pre-med at the University of Rochester and Marion will study business at St. John Fisher. Quarterback Rob Lax will attend Welsey College in Delaware. "Most people never realized how good a passer Rob was because we didn't throw the ball very often," Sirico quipped before the group of parents, educators and media reps that had attended the ceremony. "He would beg me to call more passing plays. He'll get his chances at Wesley." Athletic Director John Russo praised the seven players as "excellent role models and representatives of the Warwick School District." "The public always hears about anything bad that happens in the schools," Sirico added. "The good things go unnoticed. That's why we're here today."