How is it no one knows who Conte Cuttino is when he's the 17th Best Running Back in this Draft?
By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Football Reporters Online

Action Photo: Conte Cuttino vs. Gardner Webb in 2008-By A.F. Chachkes for Football Reporters Online
Candid Photo by Josh Griffler for Football Reporters Online

Why is it that every year the only players people talk about when getting ready for the draft are the kids from the schools who play in the "acronym" conferences? Ok, we know there are plenty of talented players at the FBS level and they play most every Saturday during the fall, but it's time people start recognizing the smaller school players. The "kids" who toil for four years at schools in the FCS (the former Division 1-AA), Division II, Division III, and the NAIA.

Everyone knows by now the Joe Flacco story and the the Ramses Barden story. There are some interesting stories in this draft. Fordham's John Skelton could be making history for someone as early as this fall. Then there are some others, like Northern Iowa's Jason Fiacco and Pat Grace, Stephen F. Austin's Tim Knicky, and James Mallory from Central Conn. St. But no story is more interesting the that of the Pride of Uniondale N.Y., Stony Brook's Conte Cuttino.

A 5' 10" Running back who plays much larger then his frame. Conte runs with unique power and vision while possessing swift knife-like cutting ability and above average to very good receiving skills as well Cuttino didn't just set records at Stony Brook. He engraved them into Sony Brook's and the Big South Conference ledger. 3,067 career total rushing yards (a Stony Brook record) and several mentions in the big south records for 2008 as follows: 5th all time in yards rushing in a single game with 233 against VMI on 11-15, and 12.06 yards per carry the week before 11-8) against Iona, where he had 17 carries for 206 yards. He did this while sharing time and carries with teammate Ed Gowins, and completed his career this past season while playing through an ankle injury and still managing nearly 800 rushing yards. His high school asst. coach told me early this week that he could have had well over 4000 yards in his college career if he were used more often in his freshman and sophomore seasons and if he was not injured this past year.

The back story goes even deeper then that. Growing up in Uniondale to working middle class parents who both work in law enforcement, you could say that he had a strict upbringing if you didn't know him. But his family has a strong resolve and a whole lot of faith thanks to their church-going background. Conte's dad who is also Conte, retired from the NYC department of corrections in 2006. We got to speak with him a bit about his son's ascent to athletics. "He's been an athlete since he's seven years old. We let him try all the sports. I was a basketball player, but even though my son was good at basketball, he wasn't tall enough. But football, now that's where he excelled, and very early, although he played defense first." Conte is no slouch in the classroom either, earning close to a 3.0 GPA. while majoring in business management.

Cuttino has been training under the watchful eyes of the good people at Parisi speed school at both their New Jersey and Long Island locations. We know he can play at the next level if he's given a chance, and hopefully some NFL team will do just that in a little over two weeks.

Close Win For SBU Over The Brown Bears

By Douglas Speigel-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

Sure it was only a one point victory, but if you want an early prediction, here it is, Chuck Priore: FCS coach of the year. After quipping “We needed it” during his entrance to the post game conference he went on to explain, what could be clearly seen, as the mental and philosophic fever that is spreading throughout this team’s players.
Tonight at LaValle Stadium, Brown was in town to play their first game of the season vs.-The Seawolves. Ticklish excitement from home-based fans could be felt the moment you entered the parking lot, and moved beautifully into the first plays of the game.
The Browns stability and togetherness, throughout the first half, could be clearly seen as they marched down the field, between a series of flags drawn by the very patient Stony Brook.
These periods, of well played football, lead to a beautiful roll-out pass from Caballero, to the man in the end zone, Matthew Sudfeld. A successful kick and it is 7-0.
Stony Brook immediately answered back with a 51-yard kick-off return by WR #80 Matthew Brevi, a well-choreographed five yard pass to Porter, and hand off to Edwin Gowins, who hesitated not at all, and broke to the outside for an explosive 27 yard touch down run.
The game tied 7-7, it was Browns turn to score again, and Kyle Caballero, did just that. Locating #46 Buddy Famham for the touch down.
#80, does it again, with a 36-yard kick off return, giving the Seawolves great field position. With SBU looking for the end zone, they go to the air a lot for what had to be seen as a bunch of nearly gotten beautiful plays.
SB Freshman Justin Blake intercepts a pass in the end zone. Tides still not being sturdy the Seawolves #46 Schwicke intercepts a deflected pass and takes it for a nice run leaving SBU at the 44.
This series of action culminated with a gorgeous Coulter pass, on a gorgeously orchestrated play, and a gorgeous reception by Number 25 Jordan Gush, putting Stony Brook on the board again. Skiffington makes the second of his first two extra point attempts and leaves the game tied 14-14 at the half.

The marching band graces the crowd with the classic White Rabbit and an early 70’s Don’t Fear the Reaper.. and it is on to the second half.

Who else to start it off, but the sophomore Matt Brevi. #80. Gaining yet another 53 yards, moving like a barracuda’s chewing at his heels and leaving his daily kick off return total at 140 yards.
Kyle, with a nothing less then relentless performance, showed his ability to run, picking up 22 important yards on foot, and earning 267 yards passing for the game. However, getting to Alex Prestly for The Bears third touch down, proves to be the turning point as the third of Plitcha’s field goal attempts flies right and leaves the score, Bears 20 SBU-14.
With 47 seconds left on the clock, The Seawolves come up strong again as Coulter connects with WR Donald Porter(#6) in the end zone, setting up Skiffington for the potential game winning extra point. The kick is good and after enough 47 seconds of play to keep us all interested, including a failed 43 yard kick by Brown, Stony Brook walks away with their first victory of the season.

I felt a quite sense of strength in the Browns locker room after the game, a sense of brightness on the rise, and heard a lot of silence. While I am a reporter, I also respect privacy. I know it is not best to put a word in a person’s mouth, but I do believe If I had gotten up the momentary rational to ask the The Bears coach Phil Estes for comment, he undoubtedly would have spoken of hope for their next game on September the 25th.

Next week, look to see the Bears come out strong and for Stony Brook to try many new things in Massachusetts, and as Chuck put it “be what they need to be to win that game.”

Hofstra Vs. Stonybrook-The Long Island Classic
By Dr. Bill Chachkes for Football Reporters Online

It’s been a match up on the schedule for several years now. A game that puts two of the better college teams playing in the FCS (I still catch myself calling it “1-AA”) each year. It’s also the two “Major” college teams playing on Long Island. While both teams recruit outside of the region, it’s also a showcase for local talent as well. Both coaches are well rounded and respected football men who come from the same “coaching family tree” so to speak. They were both assistants under Coach Bob Ford at the University of Albany.

Hofstra has put many players into the NFL over the years, most recently OL Willie Colon of the SB XLIII winning Steelers and Marques Colston of the Saints. They play in the CAA conference, which is considered by many to be the top conference in the FCS. Even in “down” seasons the program has remained competitive in play and continues to draw recruits from many areas. Last year the field surface at Shuart Stadium was replaced, and is among the best I have ever set foot on. They return several starters from the 2006 and 2007 seasons, including QB Corey Christopher, who at 250 lbs and just over 6’1” looks more like an Inside Linebacker or a Fullback and is just as hard to bring down. Senior Linebacker Luke Bonus is the leader of a resurgent defense that will make life hard for every opponent they face this season.

The Seawolves may not have any players in the NFL just yet, but a move to a new conference(the Big South), a seasoned staff of assistants, a quality stadium of their own, and their share of televised games make them a tough opponent as well. The 1-2 punch of Conte Cuttino and Edwin Gowins from the backfield makes it difficult for the opposing defenses to key on just one rusher. Like Hofstra’s Dave Cohen, Coach Chuck Priore is also a master teacher of the game. Both teams also have a loyal fanbase, and the respect of opposing coaches. They both follow the tenant of honoring the great game of Football at it’s core.

So why will this match up end after next season? Shouldn’t this be a highlight of the start of the season for both these teams? Shouldn’t it be treated like the “classic” games that are played among teams in the southeast? Why not make it a “worthy cause” game that benefits a local charity or two.

Hofstra would most likely want to get a game or two a year against
Higher graded division 1 teams like Army or even Rutgers. Stonybrook would probably love to get a televised game against a higher ranked “1-AA” team like Appalachian State (even though Costal Carolina is a huge match up for them this year). But why take on those steep climbs at the cost of eliminating this game?

Hopefully the School’s presidents will come to terms on extending this yearly match up which I now call “The Long Island Classic.”