For the first time in a while, there’s an air of uncertainty that lingers over the Marlboro football team.

In 2019, the two-time defending Section 9 Class B champion Dukes were defeated in the title game 27-24 by Port Jervis on what many considered a fluke play.

Port Jervis wide receiver Rob Filancia scored the deciding touchdown on a 41-yard reception where he fell on top of a Dukes’ defender but it was ruled he never touched the turf. He got up and ran the final 20 yards into the end zone with 1:10 left and Marlboro was left to ponder a shocking loss.

In the abbreviated season this past spring, Port Jervis left little doubt it was the class of Class B by pounding the Dukes 71-0 in the regular season and 48-0 in the championship game to claim the school’s second straight sectional crown.

The back-to-back losses to Port Jervis in the two title games put an end to Marlboro’s recent Class B dominance. Prior to those defeats, the Dukes had been winners of seven of the previous eight Class B titles.

Shortly after the end of last year’s 3-2 campaign, Brian Beck resigned after three years as head coach saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

On May 20, Ryan Brooks was appointed as the new coach. The 37-year-old Brooks is a 2002 Marlboro graduate who played on the offensive and defensive line for the Dukes. He graduated from East Carolina University in 2006 and is a physical education teacher in the Marlboro School District.

Brooks said he coached modified football in the school system for “eight or nine years,” but he took the last two years off to watch his son, Miles, play football. His son will play varsity football for Brooks this year.

The first-year coach already has had his share of adversity even before the Dukes have played their season opener vs. Red Hook. Marlboro’s scheduled scrimmage vs. Chester on Sept. 4 was canceled due to widespread COVID-19 exposure among Marlboro players.

Brooks says he doesn’t expect to have about 20 players back from quarantine until practice Wednesday. The season opener has been postponed a day to 2 p.m. Sunday at Red Hook.

Although things have gotten off to a rocky start, Brooks is eager to have a full squad at practice so the Dukes can prepare for Red Hook.

“My philosophy is geared around what’s best for the kids,” he said. “It’s finding what works for them and what makes them have the most success.”

It’s no secret that establishing the running game has been one of the top priorities for all Marlboro teams.
Senior running backs Chin Okasi and Elijah Williams have plenty of experience in the backfield.

“Elijah is a great athlete and so is Chin,” Brooks said. “Those are two of our main guys. Matt Drake is returning, too. He’s an all-around good player as well.”

The Dukes must replace quarterback Ryan McDonald, who graduated after one season running the Dukes’ option attack.

Brooks said senior Kevin DeSantis and junior Colin Robertson have been getting the bulk of reps behind center in the early going.

“We’re working on them managing the game and keeping the ball moving on offense,” he said.
Senior Trace Napoli and junior Jose Iraola-Ceely will anchor the line, which will need to come together to power the Dukes’ running game.

Though Port Jervis and Marlboro have been the main title contenders in Class B the last two years, it figures to be wide open this time around.

Although Port Jervis still has star quarterback Brett Fuller, the Raiders lost many top players to graduation. Port Jervis dropped a 36-0 decision to Class A powerhouse Cornwall in its opener.

After sitting out the spring season, neighborhood rival New Paltz returns with new coach Brandon Egan-Thorpe. He replaced longtime coach Tom Tegeler, who seemingly always had the Huguenots in contention.
Red Hook looks to be much improved following a 51-14 victory over Roosevelt. Though it lost 21-6 to Wallkill on Saturday, Burke Catholic is usually in the playoff hunt.

“It’s a pretty deep division in terms of competition,” Brooks said. “Each week is going to be a tough battle and a tough test. There are no easy games in Class B. It’s going to be a tough season.”