Nearly nine months after a Class A state semifinal loss to Rye, Cornwall football captains Gabe Colsant, Matthew Breheny, Michael Cooper and Quadir Truluck are craving a rematch with the 2025 state champions — and a chance to finish what they started.

Of a schedule that includes longtime rivals Newburgh Free Academy and Minisink Valley, all four captains identified the season-opening matchup against Rye as their most anticipated game.

“We want to raise that standard again and finish the state semifinals that we lost to Rye and get further and make it to the state championship overall,” said senior receiver and outside linebacker Matthew Breheny.

Cornwall coach Kevin Arduino said Breheny is one of three seniors he expects to take a significant step forward this season. Arduino said the receiver added about 30 pounds of muscle over the summer and has grown to 6-foot-4.

“When you talk about a kid committed to a program, that’s an example,” Arduino said. “He does whatever is needed with a smile on his face. He’s a guy we’re really excited about this year.”

During Arduino’s first season as Cornwall’s coach, Breheny played on the freshman team while also helping supply water to players on the varsity sideline.

“He was listening to things, and I feel like that stuff matters,” Arduino said. “He was a freshman football player, but he was involved with everything we were doing my first year here.”

Entering his fourth season at Cornwall, Arduino has built the program around a single motto: finish. That means finishing every rep, drill and lift in practice, with the ultimate goal of finishing the season with a win in the final game. Arduino said his players have bought into the concept.

“Defense is looking to improve more than it was last year,” said senior linebacker Michael Cooper. “We just have so many players that were so good last year and they were young. We were sophomore-heavy defense last year and all these kids are juniors now, and they’ve got these seniors now filling roles.”

Cooper made his mark on the program last season with a game-winning interception against Niskayuna in the state quarterfinals.

“With it being the regional championship and how big of a game it was and all the momentum swings, for me to be the one to finally put an end to it and show that our group was the one that finished, that we did it and won — it was an amazing feeling,” Cooper said.

Breheny said defensive coordinator Rich Ward recognizes the potential in this year’s group and has been preparing the unit accordingly.

Team dynamics shift from year to year, and Arduino described Cooper and Truluck as high-energy leaders, in contrast to some of the team’s more reserved players. Last season’s roster leaned heavily on sophomores; this year’s group now has varsity experience entering the fall.

“I think everyone taking that next step is big for this group,” Arduino said.

Senior receiver and safety Gabe Colsant started on both sides of the ball last season and is expected to again play a significant two-way role. Arduino named him as another senior poised for a breakout year.

On the offensive line, Cornwall will lean on two returning tackles. Logan Schroeter was a starter early last season before tearing his MCL and is back for his senior year. Andrew Anderson, who started every game last season, has had a strong offseason and looked sharp in preseason camp, according to Arduino.

Looking ahead, junior defensive back TJ Muhlfeld has caught Arduino’s attention with his physical style of play and his ability as a punt and kick returner.

“During a hitting session with pads on, Muhlfeld had some people open their eyes because he was sticking his head in their area and lighting some people up, which is great,” Arduino said. “We are excited about him.”

Freshman Aiden Russo, whom Arduino has watched develop through the youth football program for three years, joined the varsity roster this offseason at linebacker and running back.

“He can physically and mentally do it. He is mature enough as a freshman,” Arduino said. “We’re really excited about him as he’s going to be a freshman.”

Junior Jayon Robinson, who backed up key receiver Reef Morrison last season, is another young player Arduino expects to contribute at multiple positions.

“He’s very athletic and physical,” Arduino said. “He’s going to play some corner and wide receiver, and I’m excited about what he can bring to the table.”

The team’s “finish” mentality will be tested immediately in the Sept. 4 season opener against Rye.

“I think it goes into that motto of finish,” Arduino said. “I think we will finish whatever we are doing, whether it is a block, tackle or catch.”

Junior quarterback Sage Caesar, a three-sport athlete, will lead the offense. Arduino said Caesar was an impact player as a starter on the basketball team and earned Player of the Year honors as a pitcher for Cornwall’s baseball team, and he expects a big season from Caesar on the football field as well.

“Sage is doing a really good job of running the show,” Arduino said. “He had good experience last year as a sophomore in some packages. This year it’s his show. The guys are behind him. That’s one of the biggest things as a quarterback — if the teammates believe in you, you can do a lot of things.”

Arduino noted that Rye will likely celebrate its state championship in front of Cornwall before kickoff, calling the decision to schedule the Garnets early in the season a “no-brainer.”

“I wanted to give my team a chance to have another shot without any waiting,” he said.

All four captains emphasized the brotherhood within the program, noting they have played youth football with and against one another since they were 5 or 6 years old.
“Now it’s finally time to do what we’ve been dreaming about as kids,” Cooper said.