By Joseph Staszewski
Abel Joseph transferred to Flushing as a sophomore hoping for an opportunity to better himself and his future through football.
He had not been able to play until then despite his desire to do so growing up. Joseph’s family couldn’t afford to play Pop Warner football and Newtown didn’t have a team. He came to Flushing to no longer be an average student.
He’s been far from it.
“I had planned to play football, but I wasn’t sure about it,” he said. “It was a rough plan in action. Then I started playing football and working at it and go better.”
Joseph became good enough to earn a scholarship to play in college. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound defensive end signed his National Letter of Intent to play at Division II Long Island University-Post last week. He chose the Pioneers over AIC, Lock Haven and Pace. Post provided Joseph, who wants to major in physical therapy, a chance to play close to home and at a place he felt the most comfortable with after his official visit three weeks ago.
“I felt really at home,” he said. “There was a connection instantly.”
Joseph also wanted to be part of the Pioneers winning pedigree. They went 8-4 and took home the Northeast-10 conference title in convincing fashion over AIC last season. After years of trying to help Flushing claw its way to the top, Joseph wanted a chance to play for a league power.
“They are an established program,” he said. “Post is already up there.”
Joseph leaves Flushing on it way up however. The Red Devils went a combined 14-5 the last two seasons and reached the program’s first ever PSAL City conference semifinal two years ago. Joseph made 21 tackles as a senior, including six sacks. He’s happy to give future Flushing teams something to shoot for.
“To be able to come there (with) how the program was and to leave it a little bit better, the kids behind me have a little example on how to go the right path and get a scholarship,” Joseph said
