Carmel HS Football Team Is Busy Training As Start Of Season Approaches

CARMEL, N.Y. -- Todd Cayea played his high school football at Carmel High School and has been the Rams' varsity coach for 20 years, but the summer of 2014 comes with a set of new challenges.

A Carmel High School football players strains for that extra burst during a sprint drill.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Carmel High School's longtime varsity football coach Todd Cayea and his son at a mid summer training session.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Carmel Rams football players take a break between running and agility drills at the school on July 23.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Running relays at Carmel High School football team training.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

Agility and sprint training in the Carmel High School parking lot, July 23.
Photo Credit: *Danny LoPriore*

by Danny LoPriore

07/26/2014 5:30 p.m.

"We're doing our training three days a week -- some of it in the school parking lot because there are renovations going on in the school." Cayea said during Wednesday's workout. "The kids are out there working hard. Like most programs, we work through the year to stay in shape."

Cayea's Rams have weight training and conditioning drills Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with an eye on the short summer football preseason practice scheduled which begins in mid August and leads to a Saturday, Sept. 6 opening-day kickoff against North Rockland.

"We've had success at Carmel in the past and we're working hard to prepare for the season," said Cayea, whose team went 3-6 last year, the Rams' first losing record in eight years. "We have a challenge each year because we are one of the smaller enrollments in our Class AA (large schools). But we know we have good teams like North Rockland, Ossining, Mahopac on the schedule, so its about working hard and being prepared."

The Rams will host their big neighborhood rivalry game against Mahopac High School on Oct. 11 and host perennial power New Rochelle in the regular-season finale on Oct. 17.

Cayea's long-term goals for the success of Rams football include working with local youth football organizations to build a strong feeder program. He has won 112 games and lost just 60 over his career as head coach and believes the program can be better.

"It's important to have the young kids develop skills and interest in football at the lower levels to have a winning high school program," Cayea said. "The Carmel Youth Football And Cheer are doing a great job in developing young players that we hope will go on to play in hgih school."

Carmel Rams 2014 Football Schedule

Sept. 6 -- At North Rockland, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 -- At Ossining, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 -- At Ramapo, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 -- Clarkstown North (Home), 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 -- At Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.

Oct. 11 -- Mahopac (Home), 3 p.m

Oct. 17 -- New Rochelle (Home), 7 p.m.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Putnam and receive free news updates.