The class of 2007, through each of its years at IHS, had never seen the Ithaca Varsity Football team win a game. On September 1, 2006, with a 24-20 victory over Solvay High School at Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome, that all changed.
“The word ‘lose’ was never spoken that whole day,” recalled safety Tim S. ’07. “Everyone was positive and deep down we knew we could win. This was really big for us. It gives us a lot more confidence as a team.”
Solvay, a perennial Class B power and IHS football coach Ron Amatos’ alma mater, led the Little Red at halftime but Ithaca, spurred on by captain Nick S.’s ’07 powerful locker-room speech, came out in the second half stronger on both sides of the ball. Behind tailback Rakim J.’s ’07 166 yards, stellar game management from quarterback Antwan B. ’08, a much-improved run defense, and a key goal line stand as time expired, the Little Red snapped a 26 game losing streak that had plagued the program since 2002.
Now, S., J., S., tight end Eric H. ’07, and the team’s other senior leaders are hoping to carry momentum from such an emotional success into what everyone hopes will be an equally satisfying season.
“We believe in each other and we believe in the team,” said H. “The overall attitude has definitely improved.” S. added, “We have a lot better senior leadership this year so there’s a much more positive attitude. And Coach Amato’s double sessions during preseason were pretty hard, so we’re definitely going to be better conditioned.”
The team is entering its third year under Amato, and so far this season, the former two-sport All-American is making changes in every aspect of the game, both on and off the field. “We’re implementing a new defensive system in moving from a base of 4-4 to a 4-3,” explained S. “The addition of a strong safety will give us a much more flexible defense.”
But Amato isn’t only making strategic changes. According to H., there has been a complete shift in mentality within the team. “Everyone is much more enthusiastic about winning. We’re sick of losing and we’re anxious to get out there and show people that things have changed.”
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