Chris App Jr. is one of the nicest coaches on the Island, regardless of sport. But never confuse the smiles and laughs with someone who lacks seriousness, especially when it comes to McKee/Staten Island Tech football practice.

“Everybody get on the 40. The last guy is eating [lunch] last,” App Jr. barked in the late afternoon sun on Monday, with temperatures still hovering around 85.

“Stop walking with low energy. Run in and run out.”

The Sea Gulls surprised a lot of people last fall when they avenged a regular-season thumping to former city powerhouse Fort Hamilton with a 34-0 PSAL AAA quarterfinal playoff rout in Brooklyn, a score that was deceivingly closer than it should have been. And while MSIT would lose the following week to eventual champion Boys and Girls, the performance against the Tigers triggered a few changes.

It increased the Gulls’ profile among other public school programs, and the additional power points helped contribute to MSIT’s elevation to the league’s 4-A division. In other words, playing with the big boys.

While the promotion can be viewed as a sign of respect for his program, App Jr. also knows that it’s a double-edged sword.

“It’s going to be very challenging, ” he admitted, who will again be joined on his coaching staff by his father, Chris Sr., the longtime coach at Lafayette and New Dorp; and his brother, Charlie, who, like Chris, was a standout for the Central Cougars.

The 2024 schedule features road games against DeWitt Clinton (season opener on Sept. 14), Canarsie, Midwood and Eagle Academy; and home contests versus Madison, JFK, South Shore and New Utrecht — all household names in these parts.

While many would expect App Jr. to take an adapt-or-die mindset, he isn’t — primarily, because he can’t.

“We’ve never changed our process. I’m always going to coach to the highest standards,” said App Jr., entering his fourth year at the helm. “I’ve always wanted to run a demanding program, like a small college.”

Put the emphasis on small — as in small roster size (about 30), and players on the small side physically compared to their 4-A counterparts.

“We’ve always been competitive at the middle levels,” the coach stated. “We’ll take a cerebral approach in getting them ready for the demands of the season. We’re not going to try and fit square pegs into round holes.”

His senior leaders are also trying to prevent any negativity from permeating the club. Part of the way to combat that is to make sure that the younger players are focused.

“We have to prepare, and some players are not as dedicated as last year’s,” said wide receiver/free safety Gabriel DeLuca. “Some need to step up.”

“Some are not committed,” added strong safety/wide receiver Daniel Mosely. “We’ve brought in some new players, but there’s not much depth.”

The low roster size prevents both the coaches and the seniors from disciplining the novices like they want.

“It’s hard to kick players off the team or suspend them when you only have about 30,” confessed App Jr., noting that many of the Gulls will be playing on both sides of the ball.

“You win as a team,” said Mosley, one of MSIT’s most recruited players. “We want to police those who don’t pay attention in practice. If we don’t, that’s [the seniors’] fault.”

None of the players interviewed are nervous about the promotion. Rather, they’re hoping to seize the opportunity.

“We can make a name for ourselves,” said DeLuca.

“We didn’t receive any notoriety playing AAA; now, our name is everywhere,” added Mosley.

“It’s a big step up. This is uncharted territory for us,” noted outside linebacker/tight end Jonathan Carrasco. “We’re not at the same compete level as before, but we’re not scared.”

The key to success this season “is teamwork,” said Jeremiah Cruz, who plays the same positions as his brother, Carrasco. “If something goes wrong in a game, you can’t panic. You have to keep your chin up. You can’t have something like one missed tackle affect you.”

The players acknowledge that a “successful season” may not be defined by MSIT’s won-loss record, “but the ability to look ourselves in the eyes and know we gave all that we could,” said Carrasco.

The seniors know that a competitive campaign against some of the league’s best could be the foundation for future MSIT teams.

“I am optimistic,” said DeLuca. “We’ll put up a good fight. We want to establish a new culture.”