Long Island City Football Ready to Take Program to Next Level in 2023 with Junior-Heavy Squad 

Last season, playing in the PSAL’s top Class “A” football conference, the Long Island City High School (Queens, N.Y.) Bulldogs, now in the newly created Class AAAA” Conference, posted a 3-4 record. The Bulldogs exceeded several peoples’ expectations within the New York City high school football community.

This year, Long Island City, who graduated gifted quarterback Zen Fuiaxis, now at D3 SUNY Maritime, and defensive end Saiquan Morris, who is at Monroe College (JUCO), still possess more than enough talent to get the job done, third-year head coach Joseph Giardina noted.

Giardina said that his players have been working out three to four times a week on their own this summer, with a few former Bulldogs playing at the next level in college. And are ready to make a significant impact on the football field.

“I think the biggest thing I can say is I have a junior-loaded team,” Giardina said of having approximately 15 juniors right now. “Their work ethic is off the charts. We’re trying to build a winning culture.”

Right now, the Long Island native said the quarterback position will be determined between two players — senior Kyle David Rodriguez and sophomore Tim Hernandez — in training camp, which starts on Monday.

A returning key piece to Long Island City will be junior Billy Fuiaxis, a hard-nosed threat on both sides of the pigskin, and brother of Zen.

“He’ll be a team leader. Billy is going to be our go-to guy,” Giardina said. “He was the team leader in receptions and interceptions (last season). I don’t think he’ll come off the field.”

Tight end/outside linebacker Josh Canela is the only other junior two-way starter from last season’s squad.

At the middle linebacker position is four-year starter and leader in tackles, Justin Rodriguez, whom Giardina said, “he is a returning player with a lot of talent.”

Another strong linebacker is senior JoeAngel Alberto, a two-year first-stringer who has earned the coach’s praise due to the way he delivers gridiron punishment.

“He might be the hardest hitter on the team,” he said with conviction. “He should have a good year.”

Junior Elias Morales, while he may not hit as hard as Alberto does, he is the most defensively sound Bulldog tackler.

“He is the best tackler on the team,” Giardina said. “His sophomore season was cut short due to injury. But he was sixth on the team in tackles while only playing half the games.”

Though only a freshman last year, running back/defensive back Armani Johnson suited up for two games at safety. Giardina said he should develop even more in 2023.

New to the program are junior David McClain, who will join Alberto in the linebacking corps. Rounding out the newbies are sophomores Kyle Paz (fullback/linebacker), Jhon OCampo (guard/defensive line) and E.J. Meliboyev (guard/defensive line)

On the offensive line is class of 2025 center/defensive line Adrian Palta — a 5-foot-7, 220-pound three-sport athlete (lacrosse, wrestling) — who is the only returning member on the front five.

As far as the defensive line goes, Giardina, who also heads up the Long Island City lacrosse team, said, “Our d-line is going to have a bunch of guys competing for spots at camp.”

With that being said, the former D2 Molloy College Men’s lacrosse coach noted that he will be plugging in spots along the way before the season kicks off, though it did not prevent him from being gleefully optimistic.

However, the coaching staff’s biggest task, he said, will be instilling a higher football acumen across the board.

“We have a lot of holes to fill, but I think we’ll be alright,” he said. “Our biggest thing will be increasing our football IQ as a team. I have a good group of guys. I think we’ll have a breakout year. We’ll be young, but we’ll be good.”

— Jerry Del Priore 

Photos: Long Island City High School Football.