The announcement that Holy Trinity High School would suspend its varsity football program for the 2026 and 2027 seasons sent shockwaves through Long Island's sports community. The decision comes shortly after head coach Cain Mack stepped down, leaving the program without a clear leadership trajectory for the upcoming academic years.
A Program in Pause
School officials outlined a rebuilding strategy that will reintroduce junior varsity football next season, with the intention of restoring varsity competition by 2028. In the interim, the absence of a varsity schedule has created a domino effect: several players have opted to transfer to rival schools such as St. Anthony's High School, and opponents now receive a bye for the season, complicating league logistics.
Former Athletic Director Chris Hardardt expressed deep sadness over the move, noting that Holy Trinity football had long been one of the more recognizable programs in the Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL). The program's legacy includes alumni who have continued their careers at the collegiate level, among them Chris Laviano and Dylan Braithwaite at Rutgers University and Ryan Alexander at Syracuse University.
The suspension also intersected with broader recruiting narratives. In 2023, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart offered a scholarship to junior Josiah Brown, highlighting the school's talent pipeline. That same year, Anthony Bruntetti, a 2009 Titans running back, earned the Thorp Award as the best player in Nassau County, underscoring the school's historical competitiveness.
The ripple effects extend beyond the field. Scheduling challenges have forced league coordinators to adjust matchups, and the absence of a varsity slot has opened opportunities for other institutions such as St. Francis Prep, C.W. Post, and Penn State University to fill the void in regional competitions. Meanwhile, the school's athletic department continues to coordinate with partners like Rutgers University, Syracuse University, and St. Anthony's High School to manage the transition.
While the timeline for a full varsity return remains tentative, the administration emphasizes that the pause is intended to lay a sustainable foundation for future success. As the community watches, the coming seasons will test whether this hiatus can translate into a revitalized program that honors its storied past while embracing new possibilities.