“Hard-working.” “Committed.” “Aggressive.” These are just a few of the words Varsity Football Coach David Yaker used to describe senior Frank Sirufo, who was recently honored as one of Newsday’s “Top-100 High School Football Players for 2024.”
Sirufo, who earned his spot on the list as a defensive end, recorded a whopping 50 tackles in nine games during his junior year. Coach Yaker praised Sirufo’s contribution to the Owls on both offense and defense. “Frank is deserving of a ‘Top 100’ spot for sure,” he said. “He’s got the talent. He’s got the motor. He’s got the aggressiveness. He understands the game of football,” added Yaker. Sirufo’s performance has remained strong this season. “[For the] first portion of the season, he certainly has played like a top-100 player,” Yaker explained.
Yaker also applauded Sirufo for his dedication to football, even outside of team practices: “He’s been one of the more dedicated kids I’ve seen in my 29-year career during the offseason… He works with not only us as a coaching staff. He goes to his own personal gym and trains with Donny Brady here in Lynbrook. He goes to showcases and camps to really try and hone his skills. He has put in the work for sure.”
Mason Cofer, who plays alongside Sirufo on both the offensive and defensive lines, said Sirufo has taken on “a leadership role” within the team. “Whenever you’re on the field with him, you just get a feeling from him,” Cofer observed. “I’m definitely happy he’s one of our captains this year,” he added. Cofer, like Sirufo, played on varsity as a sophomore and recalled feeling anxious about filling the shoes left by players before him. “I rode the bench my freshman year because in middle school I broke my back. I was super, super scared,” Cofer admitted. But it was Sirufo’s attitude that calmed Cofer’s nerves and allowed him to play as his best self. “I just remember how relentless he was off the ball. That drove me to play the best against Bethpage that night, and I feel that was one of the key factors that helped us win,” said Cofer.
When asked about how it felt to receive such an honor, Sirufo expressed humility: “It feels great to be recognized at a level like this…it pushes me to keep improving and get better each day.” Sirufo credited his teammates and coaching staff for his success, but he singled out one coach in particular for helping him elevate his game during high-pressure moments. “During games and practices, I speak the most to Coach [Justin] Mosley. He’ll always provide me with many helpful tips on what I can do to improve… [He’s] always motivating and inspiring me to make myself the best I can become no matter the circumstances.”
Sirufo emphasized the importance of hard work, a quality his coaches and teammates admire. When asked if he had any advice for younger players, his answer was simple yet powerful: “Keep working hard, and keep pursuing your goals. Hard work and effort pay off.”
