After a down 2025 season, in which Lehman Campus football (Bronx, N.Y.) went winless in the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) 3A Conference action, head coach Joseph Houghton said that the coaching staff needs to go back to the drawing board and return to the things that made the program a winner in the past.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“At the end of the season, we kind of reflected on what we went away from that made us successful in the past,” Houghton, who implemented an air raid offense last year, said. “We’ll get back to the fundamentals: blocking, tackling, and catching the ball.
“We’ll have some air raid principals,” he continued. “I feel it was too aggressive, but we’ll adjust.”
Returning behind center is rising junior Marquis Davis, with a mix of three seniors on the line and a young, solid offensive lineman core pulled up from junior varsity.
“We have an experienced offensive line, and sophomores coming in that we’re excited about,” he said.
One of the players that is breeding hope for the Lions is rising senior Malachi Husbands, a 200-pound-plus offensive lineman/defensive end with hard-hitting ability and athletic prowess.
“He’s strong, athletic, and a real football player–All Conference,” Houghton gushed over his standout athlete.
Next is another rising senior, Aaron Rodriguez, an additional experienced rising senior on the O-Line.
Plus, Ryan Capellan–a two-way, three-year player who stands at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds and is a left tackle–rounds out the big three up front.
A new wrinkle for Lehman this coming year is rising senior tight end Wyatt Desjardin-Marin.
“We didn’t use tight ends much last year, but he’ll get passes thrown his way,” the longtime coach said of Desjardin-Marin.
Without a featured back going into the 2026 campaign, the Lions will go with a running back by committee, the Long Island resident noted.
The three splitting ground attack duties are rising senior Brandon Colon, rising junior Julian Ortiz, and rising sophomore Latee Crawford. Ortiz is standout linebacker, as well, per Houghton.
“He’ll be one of our defensive leaders,” Houghton said of Ortiz.
Speaking of the Lions’ defense, Houghton spoke highly of his secondary, saying they can tighten up the backfield coverage and play a big role in coming up and stopping the opposition’s run game.
“They can fill in those holes more effectively,” he said of Lehman’s secondary. “They’re athletic, fast, and like to hit and be physical. We have the guys to be real good.”
As for the defensive line, rising junior defensive tackle Nasir Brownlee earned the praise of his coach for his disruptive skills.
“I’m very excited about him,” the father of two boys, one of which was recently born, said of Brownlee. “He’s strong, technically sound, and he’ll be a force in the middle.”
While last year was an arduous experience for the Lions, Houghton said his team is preparing hard and smart, and ready to turn the page and face all challenges head-on this season.
“They’re hungry, they’ve been lifting like crazy in the weightroom,” he affirmed. “We feel like we’re a good spot going into camp. We’re really excited to get back at it and play some of the big teams. We’re excited for both tests–Sheepshead and APR. I’m very hopeful for the season.”
Lehman Campus football will scrimmage New Dorp at home on Saturday, August 29th, Then, travel to Franklin K Lane for a non-league tilt on Thursday, September 10th at 6:00 p.m.
The Lions kickoff league action against Cardozo on Friday, September 18th at 6:00 p.m.
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