Better late than never.

High school sports returned to the local landscape at Staten Island’s Catholic schools on Monday, for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic put a swift halt to play in mid-March.

However, Staten Island’s public high schools are still in limbo as the PSAL remains mum on its sports season.

But for coaches and players at St. Joseph-by-the-Sea on Monday, where the football and boys and girls soccer teams split the gridiron, it was well worth the wait.

“It was awesome, it was great to see the kids and the camaraderie…it was so much fun,” said Vikings soccer coach Sandy Rapaglia.

“It was really good, it felt good to be back and we’ve got some really great kids here,” added head football coach Joe Goerge, in his first season in Huguenot.

The football team won’t be hitting the field for games until March, and is limited to non-contact drills in the meantime — but the practices still pay dividends.

“For the first day we’re just ironing things out with our culture and our staff, we’re doing the best we can with what’s going on,” said Goerge, who met some of his players for the first time at school this week.

“It was really great for me and the coaches, we’re getting to know them and they’re getting to know us,” he added. “They’re very positive kids and they were excited to be out there…they can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The energy was equalled on the soccer field, where they expect to be playing games in about two weeks, though a schedule has not yet been released.

“The kids couldn’t be happier, they were very excited and joking around,” noted Rapaglia. “After the first minutes everything calmed down and we were focused on playing.

“There was definitely work involved,” he added. “There’s a lot of fitness to make up and we have to cram about three or four weeks into two [weeks].”

For Goerge and the football team, there’s more time to prepare.

“It was really basic stuff today, we went over our strength and speed programs, our philosophies in training, warming up and working on form and technique,” pointed out Goerge.

“We’ll keep the same routine for this week through Friday, it’s not physically taxing, more form and technique.”

While Goerge has time to bring his team into cohesion, it’s a luxury Rapaglia and the soccer squad can’t afford.

“We’re getting on the same page, it’s a very young team,” acknowledged Rapaglia. “The X’s and O’s don’t change, it’s about focus and effort.

“The seniors are helping teach the nuances of what we do, we’re getting everyone up to speed,” he added.

On the other end of the field, it’s essentially day one of a lengthy offseason.

“I look at it the same as almost like an offseason or a summer program, getting ready for the season,” said Goerge, who expects his team to put on full pads in February. “We’ll work everyday and get better everyday.”

Rapaglia echoed his sentiment.

“It’s a matter of getting a little better everyday, that doesn’t change until we get to a level where we get the most benefit out of training,” he said. “We’re taking advantage of the time we have here.

“I was very happy with the team today, we weren’t even sure we’d have a season…credit to the CHSAA for finding a way,” concluded Rapaglia.