Bayside trio make grid history

When the Bayside Commodores football season came to a disheartening end at the hands of top-ranked Lehman in the PSAL quarterfinals last November, many of the players, specifically the 20 seniors, shed tears. But none cried harder than Richie Parker, their bulldozing fullback.
Little did the Corona resident know he would get one more chance on the gridiron with two of his closest friends and teammates - Jovan Leacock and Dorson Boyce. The trio will suit up for the New York City team in the 2006 Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge to be held this week at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium.
It marked the first time in Bayside history they will send three players to the All-Star game. &#8220It's very rewarding for them,” Bayside Coach Joe Capuana said. &#8220All three of those guys are very deserving, and you'll see, they will all do very well in the game.”
They couldn't do any worse than last year's metro team, who were embarrassed by their Long Island counterparts, 44-6. Parker and Leacock, who each watched the game, broadcast live by the Madison Square Garden network, remember how bad the city looked that day.
&#8220It was real insulting, like throwing salt in an open wound,” said Leacock, who was quick to point out three of the city's best players - Bayside's own Vinny Rey, and playmakers Kevin Ogletree of Holy Cross and Nyan Boateng of Lincoln - didn't suit up because of injury. &#8220Our defense is going to turn up. I don't think there'll be 44 points throughout the whole game. It will be a good, tight battle.”
The end result notwithstanding, it should be an emotional evening for the three Commodores. They represent the first class to ever go undefeated in Queens, one that has set a benchmark for upcoming Bayside teams despite never reaching the ultimate goal.
&#8220We didn't win a city championship but we had a lot of success and those guys had a lot of highlights,” said Capuana. &#8220If you look around, there weren't many better teams than us in the city.”
&#8220It's going to be fun and kind of sad, because it's the last time you get to play with these people,” Parker said. &#8220But it's a part of life, you have to move on.”
Parker and Leacock, a talented wide receiver/defensive back/halfback hybrid, will have to wait a year for college, but it should dramatically improve their standing. They will attend the highly touted prep school Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia, whose graduates include professional athletes such as the Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard, the St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt, and former New York Knicks Coach Larry Brown.
&#8220I think you're going to see Jovan and Richie wind up in the ACC [Atlantic Coast Conference],” Capuana predicted. One of the top defensive ends in the PSAL, Boyce will attend Allan Hancock Community College in Santa Barbara, California.
Although their run clearly comes to an end after the Empire Challenge, Capuana, who will coach the linebackers for the city team, is grateful for one more chance to lead his seniors. &#8220It's nice to be around them for another few weeks,” he said, &#8220and hopefully in their case, they go out with a win.”