Peglegs 2023 Season Preview

By Ava Quarles & Krishi Shah

Welcome to the 2023 Stuyvesant Peglegs football season! Take a look at what to expect from the Peglegs this fall:

It’s no question that the Peglegs have lost significant senior talent since their 2022 season. Quarterback Efe Kilic led the city in completions (105). Running back Sam Glusker led the city in receptions (41) and total points (115), receiving an All-City Conference Award for his dominant performance. Linebacker William Opich is now continuing his athletic career on the University of Chicago football team. According to Coach Eddie Seo, “Last season was a team led by standout seniors at key positions on both sides of the ball.” Not only was the skill level of the 12 graduates invaluable to the team, but their off-the-field caliber was the glue to the 2022 Peglegs that missed playoffs by just a few seconds.

Now coming off of a 4-3 record, the Peglegs have high hopes for this season. Last spring, the PSAL launched the All-Access program, and this fall is the first time the program will affect the football team. The program allows athletes to play for schools they don’t attend, if that school has a sports team that their own school does not have. This season, the Peglegs have acquired a host of new players through All-Access, coming from schools all across Manhattan. Stuyvesant was paired from Murray Bergtraum, NEST+M, Graphics Campus, and several other schools. These students now have the opportunity to be a part of the Peglegs’ legacy.

There are many aspects to the All-Access change. The football team has expanded to a total of 80 varsity and junior varsity players, larger than ever before. Consequently, the team’s skill level has deepened. Senior center Anas Ahmed (Stuyvesant) said, “The All-Access program has given Stuyvesant the depth that we usually don’t have, and also the size and strength that we usually have to make up for with speed, agility, and technique.” With a larger roster comes a larger talent pool. One benefit of this roster size is less two-way players, which will keep players fresh throughout the game. However, it is not always easy to welcome numerous new additions into an already-tight group. Playing with athletes who attend a different school is a new experience, but according to senior receiver Stanley Zhao (Stuyvesant), the Peglegs “have taken the initiative to remind [the All-Access players] that they are part of not only our team, but also our family. There are some great additions to the team, skilled leaders who we have the privilege of playing side by side with.” And non-Stuyvesant Peglegs notice this tone. Junior defensive end Corghan Melendrez (Manhattan Early College for Advertising) said that, in contrast to previous teams he has played for, “at Stuyvesant I feel at home and comfortable playing, and I have fun at every practice.”

In addition to this transition, there have been several coaching changes this season. Former varsity head coach Mark Strasser retired last season after 15 years with the Peglegs, having led the team to nine winning seasons, six playoff berths, and two appearances in the Cup Championship game. Mike Tauber has stepped up to be varsity head coach from his previous position as varsity assistant coach/defensive coordinator, among other exciting coaching shifts on both varsity and JV, ultimately increasing depth and precision within each team.

Looking to the rest of the Stuyvesant football season, there is a lot to look forward to. The Peglegs moved from the A division to the AAA division, and are now preparing to face some new schools with their largely new team. A particularly exciting matchup will be against specialized high school rival Brooklyn Technical, a home Pier 40 game for both varsity and JV on September 22. Stuyvesant athletes anticipate a tense contest; senior quarterback Eric Tang (Stuyvesant) reports that this game is “circled on [their] schedules,” and the team is prepared to “go all out.”

Expectations run high for the Peglegs, and the enthusiasm is palpable. With a dedicated group of athletes, a seasoned coaching staff, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, this season promises to be a thrilling journey towards success. In the words of junior tackle Angel Toledo (Business of Sports School), “We have the skill and talent, so why not?”