Floyd the team to beat (again)

Slawson, Andy. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 04 Sep 2022

he return of speedy halfback Dylan Harris and quarterback LaDuke Harris (no relation) will make Floyd the team to beat in Suffolk Division I. The Colonials had won three straight Suffolk crowns before last year’s loss to Whitman in the final. 

It was Whitman’s first Division I title since 1984. The Wildcats went 11-1 and won the Rutgers Trophy, given to Suffolk’s most outstanding team. The Wildcats lost to Massapequa in the Long Island Class I final.

“It was our year,” said Whitman coach Robin Rosa, who lost many players to graduation. “We had a very talented group of motivated players. And there were expectations to make a run at an LIC – and it was great for our program.”

Floyd won the previous three Division I playoff titles. During that span, they lost only three games, including twice in the LIC Class I game.

Floyd coach Paul Longo thinks his team can be on top again, but health will be the main factor.

“Injuries are something we have no control over,” he said. “We have suffered several season-ending injuries to key players over the past few years. I’d like to avoid that.”

Floyd has won 13 Suffolk titles since 2001, more than any other Suffolk school. The Colonials have also captured five Long Island Class I crowns.

No. 2 seed Ward Melville and third-seeded Longwood should also be in the mix to win the division title. The Patriots, who haven’t won a Suffolk title since 1987, return talented halfback Nick Gaffney, who rushed for 1,351 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. 

Ward Melville lost to Floyd in the Division I final in 2016 and 2018.

Longwood is led by Mason Hauser, a dominant blocker as a tight end and a devastating force at linebacker. The Lions won a Suffolk title in 2015 and last appeared in the championship game in 2019.

3. LONGWOOD (3-5)

Coach: Sean Kluber, second year Five key players: Mason Hauser, TE/LB, Sr.; Terrance Robinson, RB/DB, Sr.; Josh Jackson, OL/DE, Sr.; Tyler Hammel, OL/DE, Sr.; Louis Kaleb, QB/DB, Sr.

The Lions: They look to return to the playoffs after missing them last season for just the second time in 18 years. Hauser is an outstanding two-way player who had 47 solo tackles last season.

All of the Lions’ varsity coaches are Longwood Alumni.

Longwood 41- Patchogue 12

Congratulations to the Lions on their Friday night win (41-12) against the Patchogue Medford Raiders!!

The team was led by senior running back Terrance Robinson on offense, who ran for 170 yards and scored three touchdowns. On defense, senior Tyler Hammel recorded seven tackles (three for a loss), and three sacks. The defense held Pat Med to 59 total yards! #GoLions#LCSDPride

Terrance Robinson runs for 271 yards in Longwood victory

Robinson: See ya!: Longwood back gains 271 yards, has 67-yard TD

Sarra, Gregg. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 18 Sep 2022

Terrance Robinson dipped into the middle of the defense and emerged unscathed as he broke toward the visitors’ sideline, and 67 yards later, he was in the end zone. Robinson’s touchdown sprint helped Longwood open a two-score first-half lead in a 23-20 win over host Ward Melville on Friday night in a Suffolk Division I football game in East Setauket. 

Robinson was the difference maker. He rushed 34 times for 271 yards as the Longwood front pushed Ward Melville around all night.   

“It all starts up front with our line,” Robinson said. “I’m nothing without those big guys opening running lanes and moving bodies.” 

Robinson weaved in and out of the Ward Melville defense for 185 yards on 17 carries and five first-down runs in the first half. He followed big blocks from center Clint Chichester, guards Wallace Wilson and Josh Jackson and tackles Brian Heidrich and Tyler Hammel.

“We play bully ball and push people around,” Longwood tight end Mason Hauser said. “I’m a blocking tight end. We spent all winter in the weight room getting stronger and it showed tonight. We were very physical.”

After Robinson’s long first-quarter touchdown run, Hauser caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Caleib Corbett for a 13-0 lead with 1:58 left in the half. 

“This is a big win for our program,” Longwood coach Sean Kluber said. “It was an important step against a really good football team.” 

Ward Melville (1-1) managed only 19 yards rushing in a first half dominated by the Longwood defense. But the Patriots drove 75 yards in four plays to start the third quarter and get on the scoreboard. Andrew Belli hit Nick Gaffney for 19 yards to open the march and added a 58-yard catch and run to Brody Morgan to set up Gaffney’s 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point was botched, and Ward Melville trailed 13-6. 

The Patriots forced a three-and-out and took over at its own 35. Belli engineered a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to tie the score at 13. Belli found Morgan for a 29-yard scoring strike with 6:21 left in the third quarter. 

“We had to grab the momentum back,” Hauser said. “And we went back to our ground game.” 

Longwood responded with a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by a Lou Kaleb 22-yard run with 1:52 left in the third quarter. Sophomore kicker Dan Blank added the extra-point kick to make it 20-13.     

Blank then drilled a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter for the 23-13 lead. 

“I’m very proud of him as his kicking was one of the keys in tonight’s win,” Kluber said. “He hit what proved to be the winning field goal. And his punting continually flipped the field position.” 

Ward Melville drove 69 yards in six plays and Jackson Weber caught a 15-yard scoring pass from Belli to draw within 23-20 with 59 seconds left. 

The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds and with no timeouts, Longwood (2-0) kneeled for two plays to run out the clock and earn the road win over the second-seeded Patriots.     

“I felt we set the tone with the first touchdown,” Robinson said. “We came in to pound the ball down the field and the line did not disappoint.” 

Longwood 27, Whitman 0: Terrance Robinson rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries for Longwood (3-0). His 32-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Longwood a 13-0 lead. Nnmadi Nwanyanwu ran 28 yards for a touchdown later in the third to extend the lead to 19-0. Sept. 25

Floyd reigns in Parkway Bowl: TD run for Dylan Harris, TD pass for LaDuke Harris

Joseph, Justin. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 02 Oct 2022:

In a wet and sloppy slugfest between the only two remaining unbeaten teams in Suffolk Division I, Floyd knew it was in good hands. 

Running back Dylan Harris and quarterback LaDuke Harris (no relation) carried the Colonials over Longwood, 13-7,  in the rivlary game known as the Parkway Bowl on Saturday at the William Floyd Athletic Complex. 

With severe weather proving to be a key factor, Floyd (4-0) turned to its stars to carry its offense. LaDuke Harris amassed 107 yards rushing and threw a one touchdown pass, and Dylan Harris had 90 yards on the ground and one touchdown on 15 carries. 

“LaDuke and Dylan are both dynamic backs… we have a dual-threat back there and that causes problems for any defense,” head coach Paul Longo said. “When one’s going one way and one’s going the other way, they both can take it to the house.” 

And that they did. Dylan Harris bulldozed his way into the end zone behind fullback Krishmar Powell and lineman David Richardson and Amari Redd to give his team the go-ahead score with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

“In the ground game, it was about staying balanced, keeping the clock running and getting as many yards as possible,” Dylan Harris said. “If I see a seam, I’m going to hit it hard and stay up as long as possible and take as many people with me.” 

LaDuke Harris led his team down the field on its opening drive and connected with Powell on an eight-yard touchdown pass just over five minutes into the game.  Caden Lesiewicz added the extra point to give Floyd a 7-0 lead. 

“That pass was a way to set the momentum up for the rest of the team,” LaDuke Harris said. “We wanted the out-route, and I had to scramble a little bit, and most importantly, no matter what, just complete the pass.” 

Longwood quarterback Caleib Corbett got the Lions (3-1) on the board with 4:25 left in the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run. Danny Blank’s extra point tied the game at 7.   

Floyd safety Wally Crane intercepted a pass on the Longwood 26-yard line with 4:30 left to put his team in position to take the lead.  

“Feels great,” said Crane, who had six tackles. “First interception of my career… I just read the quarterback, did my job and picked it off.” 

Several plays later, Dylan Harris plunged into the end zone for the go-ahead score in the latest Parkway Bowl meeting. 

The two rival schools are 8 miles apart, a short drive down the William Floyd Parkway. 

“It’s a great rivalry because we’re both always very good football teams,” Longo said.

Longwood 42, Central Islip 7: Terrance Robinson rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries in Suffolk I. He scored three of Longwood‘s first four touchdowns with runs of 6, 32 and 73 yards. Angel Chestnut ran for a 52-yard touchdown and a total of 85 yards on four carries. Nnamdi Nwanyanwu ran for 71 yards and a 19-yard touchdown on seven carries. Tyler Chestnut had a sack for Longwood (4-1). Oct. 9

Longwood 34, Commack 3: Caleib Corbett threw for 111 yards and one passing touchdown for Longwood (5-1). Corbett also ran for 29 yards and two touchdowns. Louis Kaleb scored two touchdowns on the ground. Terrance Robinson had 125 yards on 22 carries. Mason Hauser had 80 receiving yards. Anthony Ordonez caught a 29-yard touchdown. Oct. 19

Hall’s 3 TDs, ‘D’ key Sachem North rally

Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 23 Oct 2022:

Tyler Hall ran for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass to help Sachem North rally from a 18-point third-quarter deficit and defeat Longwood, 25-21, in Suffolk Division I Friday night. 

Hall sandwiched touchdown runs of 1 and 7 yards around a 7-yard scoring reception. James Reid made an interception and a fumble recovery – Chris Lombardo forced the fumble – that led to two of the touchdowns. 

After Hall scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3:51 left, the Sachem North defense stopped Longwood (5-2) at its own 35. Hall carried 19 times for 73 yards, and he made seven tackles. Anthony Vino passed for 76 yards and one touchdown, and threw for a two-point conversion for Sachem North (5-2).

Longwood 36, Brentwood 14: Anthony Ordonez had three rushing touchdowns and totaled 54 yards on six carries for Longwood (6-2). Nnamdi Nwanyanu had 91 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Mason Hauser had an interception. Oct. 30

With a 20-14 win over Commack, the Lions have earned a spot in the Suffolk County Division I Semifinals. We will play on the road Saturday at Sachem North. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.

Longwood Defeats Sachem N – 28-7

Morris, Gene. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 13 Nov 2022:

Longwood advances. Terrance Robinson was not going to watch his high school career end from the sidelines. After missing the last two games because of a broken hand he returned in a big way Saturday.

Robinson ran for 229 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries to lead No. 3 Longwood over No. 2 Sachem North, 28-7, in a Suffolk I semifinal.

“It’s a testament to how much he cares,” Longwood coach Sean Kluber said. “He missed senior night, he missed a playoff game. For him to come back today – and we weren’t even sure if we were going to use him – was great.”

Nnamdi Nwanyanwu scored the first touchdown for Longwood on a seven-yard run for Longwood (8-2). Sachem North finishes the season 7-3.

Belli leads Ward Melville in final: Has hand in four TDs; first county crown since 1987

Matias, Christopher. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 20 Nov 2022:

Ward Melville has some magic going when it steps on the field, magic that hasn’t flowed through its program like this since 1987. 

Andrew Belli put that on display Saturday afternoon when he eluded the rush and tossed up a jump ball to Trevor Murray, who came down with it for a 15-yard touchdown, the Patriots’ fifth TD of the game. 

“Ever since the playoffs, the team has bonded and everything’s clicking. I was getting rushed and I had to get out of the pocket. I have trust in Murray and I gave him a chance to make a play,” said Belli, who threw for three touchdowns and ran for one as Ward Melville defeated Longwood, 34-19, in the Suffolk I final at LaValle Stadium.

The Patriots earned the program’s first county championship since 1987. Ward Melville will take on Nassau I champion Farmingdale on Saturday at LaValle Stadium in the Long Island Class I championship game. 

“It’s exciting. I’m playing for the best team on Long Island,” Belli said. “We’re going to work hard this week and go 100% preparing.”

Longwood moved within 27-13 when it opened the third quarter with a six-minute scoring drive capped by Anthony Ordonez’s 4-yard touchdown run. The Lions then forced a three-and-out and drove 57 yards before Ward Melville’s defense stepped up and helped to seal the win.

On second down, the Patriots stopped a run for a loss of 2 yards. Joshua Rettig picked up his second sack of the game for a 16-yard loss and Aidan Folkman intercepted a long fourth-down try. 

“My coach always tells me if they don’t block you and they block down, look for that bootleg,” Rettig said. “In my mind, it just clicked that he’d try to pass, and I hit him for a loss of 16.”

It didn’t take long for the Patriots to take a 7-0 lead. Belli connected with Lorenzo Velez for a 35-yard gain and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Velez 33 seconds into the game. 

“It’s all about confidence and trust. I trust my coaches and QB to get me the ball,” Velez said. “Then I trust in my hands and route-running to get it done.” 

Longwood punted from its own end zone later in the quarter and Brody Morgan returned it 35 yards for the touchdown. Jackson Weber’s extra point made it 14-0.

After a 1-yard touchdown run by Longwood‘s Caleib Corbett, the Patriots were back on the attack. Belli weaved through the Lions’ defense for a 20-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Velez later in the quarter, and suddenly Ward Melville was ahead 27-7.

Below is our 2022 Longwood Football Highlight Film. Feel free to share and celebrate a great season!

https://www.facebook.com/sean.william.75/videos/520665800177536?idorvanity=772232609480968