Suffolk Division I: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition] Preview
Sarra, Gregg. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 13 Sep 2004:
LONGWOOD (4-4)
Coach: Adam DeWitt (first year).
Key Players: Sr. OL/DL Peter Taddeo (6-2, 290), Sr. OL/LB Derek Candiotti (6-0, 230), Sr. SE/DB Kevin Watkins (6-0, 230), Sr. SE/DB Kevin Bennett (6-1, 180), Sr. HB/DB Brett Wilson (HB/DB (5-8, 175), Sr.
OL/DL Frank Marino (6-5, 340).
Top Newcomers: Sr. FB/LB Emman Sarwari (5-10, 185), Sr. TE/LB Billy Simon (5-11, 180), Jr. QB/DB Anthony Borriello (5-11, 175).
On the Lions: Have come up just short of a playoff berth in each of the last two seasons. The coaching staff has been replaced and Adam DeWitt, a former Mercy head coach, takes over. Expect the Lions to challenge for a playoff spot.
Top Seeds
1. FLOYD (10-1)
Coach: Paul Longo (10th year).
Key Players: Sr. HB/SS Andrew Miller (6-1, 205), Sr. QB/FS Donnie McCarthy (6-0, 195), Sr. FB/LB John Barone (5-11, 190), Jr. FB/LB Blair Bines (6-0, 220), Sr. G/DT Brian McGarrigle (6-1, 275), Jr. C/ DT John Maas (5-11, 210).
Top Newcomers: Jr./ HB/SS Teddy Napolitano (6-0, 200), Sr. WR/CB Dan Makifsky (5-11, 180).
On the Colonials: Understandably, there are high expectations at Floyd this season.
Floyd has been to the LI title game in two of the past three years and could be the best team on LI this year.
| 2. PATCHOGUE- MEDFORD (5-4) |
| Coach: James Chiarello (fourth year). |
Key Players: Sr. RB/DB Steve King (5-10, 170), Sr. RB/DB Anthony Monaco (5-11, 215), Sr. OL/LB Mike Stephan (5-11, 215), Sr. WR/DB Mike Pagano (5-9, 175), Sr. OL/DL Chris Pugliese (6-1, 308).
Top Newcomers: Jr. TE/LB Chris Gomez (6-1, 225), Jr. RB/DB Kevin Reyling (5-11, 180), Jr. QB Nick Izzo (5-9, 170).
On the Raiders: The backfield tandem of King (1,100 yards, 10 TDs) and Monaco (700 yards, 7 TDs) could be the best 1-2 punch in the division. But there is a void at quarterback and the line took a big hit from graduation.
3. CONNETQUOT (4-4)
Coach: Mike Hansen (second year).
Key Players: Sr. TE/LB Tom Burzine (6-5, 230), Sr. QB Zach Shagi (6-0, 170), Sr. FB/LB Dan Frasca (6-0, 215), Sr. WR/DB Alex St. Nicholas (6-1, 180), Sr. HB/LB Nick Monastero (5-7, 185), Sr. OL/DL Matt Thornton (6-2, 270).
Top Newcomers: Jr. FB/LB Mark Leggiero (6-0, 205).
On the Thunderbirds: There is optimism with the return of 15 starters and the T-Birds believe they can make the playoffs for the first time since 1994.
4. LINDENHURST (8-2)
Coach: Rich Biancaniello (22nd year).
Key Players: Sr. QB Matt Maes (6-0, 217), Sr. FB/LB Dan Doerler (6-0, 210), Sr. DE/OT Lou Mangione (6-3, 270), Sr. RB/LB Tom O’Hanlon (5-9, 172), Sr. C Mike Edwards (6-0, 275).
Top Newcomers: Sr. TE/DE John Pensa (6-1, 205), Jr. RB/DB Danny Imondi (5-11, 163), Sr. DT/OT Ed Grant (6-3, 280).
On the Bulldogs: Lindy is usually in the playoff mix by season’s end. Problem here is that Maes is unfamiliar with his receivers and it may take a while to find some rhythm.
5. LONGWOOD (4-4)
Coach: Adam DeWitt (first year).
Key Players: Sr. OL/DL Peter Taddeo (6-2, 290), Sr. OL/LB Derek Candiotti (6-0, 230), Sr. SE/DB Kevin Watkins (6-0, 230), Sr. SE/DB Kevin Bennett (6-1, 180), Sr. HB/DB Brett Wilson (HB/DB (5-8, 175), Sr.
OL/DL Frank Marino (6-5, 340).
Top Newcomers: Sr. FB/LB Emman Sarwari (5-10, 185), Sr. TE/LB Billy Simon (5-11, 180), Jr. QB/DB Anthony Borriello (5-11, 175).
On the Lions: Have come up just short of a playoff berth in each of the last two seasons. The coaching staff has been replaced and Adam DeWitt, a former Mercy head coach, takes over. Expect the Lions to challenge for a playoff spot.
Longwood 13, Lindenhurst 6: Cornerback Kevin Bennett intercepted a pass on No. 5 Longwood‘s 40-yard line with 3:30 left late Saturday. Anthony Borriello threw his second touchdown pass to Kevin Watkins, a 20-yarder with less than one minute left in the third quarter, to break a tie at 6. Avery Ward added the extra point. Watkins also caught a 37-yard scoring pass with eight minutes left in the quarter. It came two plays after Longwood recovered a fumble. Brett Wilson rushed for 76 yards on nine carries. Borriello completed 6 of 10 attempts for 176 yards. Defensive tackle Peter Taddeo had eight tackles and a sack. Matt Maes connected on a 12- yard scoring pass to Danny Imondi midway through the second quarter to break a scoreless tie for No. 4 Lindenhurst. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 20 Sep 2004:
Longwood 14, Sachem North 12: Brett Wilson had 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries for No. 5 Longwood (2-0). Derek Candiotti added nine tackles. No. 9 Sachem (1-1) cut its deficit to 14-12 in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard TD run, but failed on the two-point conversion. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 24 Sep 2004:
THIS WEEK: A look at the top high school games and players: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
Compiled by the staff. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 28 Sep 2004:
FOOTBALL
Longwood at Brentwood (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.): Longwood (2-0) has shown signs of moving into the upper echelon of Division I, which leaves Brentwood (1-1) in trouble in this one.
Longwood 41, Brentwood 7: Brett Wilson ran for 120 yards on eight carries and scored a season-high three touchdowns for Longwood (3- 0). He scored on runs of 59, 20 and 28 yards. Kevin Bennett added 102 yards on six carries and a 14-yard TD as Longwood totaled 244 total rushing yards. Wilson’s 59- yard score gave Longwood a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Michael Demetrius answered with a 1-yard TD run for Brentwood (1-2). Peter Taddeo (nine tackles) and Derek Candiotti (eight) each had a sack. Oct. 3
THIS WEEK: A look at the top high school games and players as compiled by the staff: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition 1]
compiled by the staff. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 05 Oct 2004:
FOOTBALL
Floyd at Longwood (Friday, 6p.m.): Watch out if Donnie McCarthy and Andrew Miller get on a roll for Floyd (3-0). Brett Wilson counters for Longwood (3-0).
FLOYD 42, LONGWOOD 12, Getting a leg up in Division I, Defending league champion wins battle of unbeatens by utilizing its superior ground attack: [SUFFOLK Edition]
ERIK BOLAND. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 09 Oct 2004:
The question elicited a wide grin from Andrew Miller, every indication the Floyd running back knew he had gotten away with something.
“I didn’t touch it,” Miller said. “Well, it was close.”
With his team leading by just two points in the second quarter of Friday night’s Suffolk Division I showdown at Longwood, Miller stood at his own 24 awaiting a punt. He watched the elliptical flight of the ball against the backdrop of the stadium lights and dark sky, caught between thoughts of a fair catch or a return.
The ball slipped through his arms, then between his legs, and was finally pounced on by Longwood‘s Rob Kristich at the Floyd 20. But after a brief discussion, officials reversed their initial call, deciding Miller had not touched the ball.
Floyd took possession at its 24-yard line. Seven plays later Miller capped a 76-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown that led to a 21-12 lead. The muffed-punt-that-wasn’t and the ensuing score proved crucial as Floyd moved to 4-0 with a 42-12 victory in front of a standing-room only crowd of 4,800 at Longwood.
“That was a huge play,” said the 6-1, 210-pound Miller, who will attend Johns Hopkins on a lacrosse scholarship next year. “If they get the ball there, it’s a totally different game. That was a big momentum swing.”
Perhaps, but in truth Longwood (3-1) was overmatched by the Floyd running back tandem of Miller and Joe Kusen and the Colonials’ mammoth offensive line.
Miller battered tacklers all night, carrying for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Kusen, a 5-10, 185- pound senior, added 112 yards on nine carries. By the half, Miller had scored all three of his touchdowns and had 148 yards. Senior Quarterback Donnie McCarthy was efficient, completing 4 of 5 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. He added 72 yards and a touchdown on the ground. His 50- yard scoring run gave Floyd, last year’s Suffolk Division I champion, a commanding 28-12 lead early in the third quarter. So overwhelming were the offensive numbers – Floyd had 425 total yards – neither coach made an issue of the second quarter call.
“You know, you get the kids all fired up, the offense comes out then they’re called back to the sideline,” Longwood coach Adam DeWitt said. “It’s tough, but the officials didn’t decide this game. We had a chance to stop them on the next drive and we didn’t.”
The game started well for Longwood as Brett Wilson returned the opening kickoff 52 yards. Five plays later quarterback Anthony Borriello (13-for -31 passing for 174 yards and two touchdowns) threw a 14-yard strike over the middle to Charles Sollecito.
FLOYD 42
LONGWOOD 12
LONGWOOD 31, CONNETQUOT 13, Lions roar to a loud win, Wilson rushes for 145 yards and 3 TDs as Longwood uses Connetquot miscues to improve to 4-1: [SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 16 Oct 2004
Indeed, this was what one would call a bounce-back game. The football teams at Longwood and Connetquot were coming off discouraging losses and both were in dire need of a win.
Connetquot allowed a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter slip away against Patchogue-Medford and Longwood’s shot for an unbeaten record went by the wayside in a lopsided loss to Floyd.
Despite heavy rain that turned the grass field into a quagmire, senior halfback Brett Wilson rushed for 145 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns as host Longwood beat Connetquot, 31-13, Friday night before a crowd of 700 in Suffolk Division I. Wilson scored in each of the last three quarters on runs of 7, 26 and 27 yards.
“It was definitely a breakout game for Wilson,” Longwood coach Adam DeWitt said. “He’s not just an outside speed guy. He took it inside tonight.”
The win moved Longwood (4-1) into position to qualify for the postseason for the first time in five years.
“We lost a tough one last week and we didn’t come out with the intensity that I expected,” Connetquot coach Mike Hansen said. “We’re a good football team, but we’re not getting any consistency.”
Longwood capitalized on two straight Connetquot fumbles in the second quarter. Nick Monastero ran 12 yards for a first down, but the ball was jarred loose and Emman Sarwari recovered. The Lions’ Anthony Borriello scored 10 plays later on a 1-yard sneak. Adam St. Nicholas fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Isiah Green recovered at the T- Birds’ 29, and two plays later, Wilson’s 7-yard run made it 12-0.
Connetquot (2-3) responded with a 13-play, 67-yard drive capped by a Monastero 2-yard scoring run. Quarterback Zach Shagi keyed the march running for 5, 23, 12 and 5 yards. Steve Vitale’s kick made it 12-7 with 45 seconds left in the half. It was as close as the T- Birds got.
Wilson scored on consecutive drives in the second half, and both came on fourth-down conversions. On a fourth-and-2, he followed a block from left tackle Frank Marino for a 26-yard score that made it 18-7 with 40 seconds left in the third quarter. On fourth-and-2 on the Lions’ next drive, Wilson followed right guard Peter Taddeo for a 27-yard score and a 24-7 lead with 6:50 left in the game.
“We responded to the challenge,” DeWitt said.
LONGWOOD 31
CONNETQUOT 13
Longwood’s Wilson rumbles to 5 TDs: [SUFFOLK Edition]
Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 24 Oct 2004:
Senior Brett Wilson ran for a career-high 216 yards and five touchdowns yesterday as Longwood beat Northport, 42-13, in Suffolk Division I football. Wilson scored on runs of 3, 15, 30, 13 and 26 yards for Longwood (5-1). Kevin Bennett had two interceptions. Northport is 3-3.
Information contributed by Sean Kluber | Head Football Coach – If you wish to contribute information please fill out the form located here.
THIS WEEK: A look at the top high school games and players: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
Compiled by the staff. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 26 Oct 2004
Longwood at Patchogue-Medford, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: The winner gets the home-field advantage in a Suffolk Division I semifinal game. Both teams are 5-1 with excellent running games.
PM’s Izzo shoulders burden, Shakes off injury to lead victory over Longwood: [SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 31 Oct 2004:
Joe Izzo was a game-time decision for Patchogue-Medford. Still on the mend from a shoulder injury the 5-9, 170-pound junior fullback was unsure of his role when he suited up for yesterday’s game against Longwood.
“I’d do whatever the coaches want, but they knew I wasn’t ready to start hitting on every play,” Izzo said. “So they moved me to tight end.” And what a timely position move for the Raiders. Izzo caught two passes, including an 11-yard touchdown from quarterback Mike Pagano in the third quarter as Patchogue-Medford extended a two- point halftime lead to nine and went on to a 22-14 victory over Longwood yesterday before a crowd of 1,700 on Homecoming Day in Patchogue.
“That was the first touchdown catch of my life,” Izzo said. “I never played tight end but I was happy to help us win. I’m not that fast – that’s why I play fullback and block.”
Izzo also scored his first touchdown last week in a 35-28 loss to Floyd and served as an inspiration to the rest of the Raiders, who played without fullbacks Anthony Monaco and Mike Stephan. Izzo ignored the pain in his shoulder to record nine tackles at linebacker and help the Raiders keep Longwood halfback Brett Wilson out of the end zone. Wilson rushed for 165 yards on 25 carries, including second-half runs of 34 and 44 yards.
“He’s a real tough kid and gave us a big lift,” said Patchogue- Medford coach James Chiarello. “He came up with some big plays.”
So did senior halfback Steve King, who had 25 carries for 175 yards, and keyed the Raiders advantageous field position all afternoon.
The first half saw Patchogue-Medford (6-1) jump in front on the first of three Luke Gaddis field goals. Gaddis connected from 32 yards with 5:28 left in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.
Longwood (5-2) responded with a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by an Anthony Borriello 15-yard pass to Charles Sollecito. The junior quarterback lofted a perfect pass into the right corner of the end zone where a leaping Sollecito made the catch. Bruce Kriete added the kick to give the Lions a 7-3 lead with 1:53 left.
“We lost the game because of poor field position over the final three quarters,” said Longwood coach Adam DeWitt. “I thought we gave them a short field to work with too many times.”
Longwood made a goal-line stand after Patchogue drove 79 yards to the Lions 1. On fourth-and-goal, the middle of the Lions defense stuffed Izzo with 9:01 left in the half. Longwood drove out from the shadow of their end zone and a short punt enabled Patchogue to set up shop at the Lions 25. Five plays later, Pagano scored on a 1- yard sneak. Gaddis’ kick was blocked and the Raiders led 9-7 at the half.
“We totally didn’t play our A game,” said Pagano, who only completed 4-of-10 passes for 41 yards.
Patchogue continually pinned Longwood deep in its own territory in the third quarter. The Raiders got a big sack from Mike Napolitano when he didn’t bite on a play-action pass play and caught Borriello by the shirt and for a loss of 9 yards to the Longwood 16. After an incomplete pass the Lions were forced to punt from their own 15 and Patchogue took over after a short punt at the Lions 39. Halfback Steven King ran for nine yards before Pagano found Izzo for 14 yards to set up Izzo’s 11-yard touchdown reception.
Gaddis added the kick to make it 16-7 with 4:07 left in the third quarter.
“The Longwood defense was very aggressive and our guys did a good job of stepping down and making their blocks,” said Patchogue tackle Chris Pugliese, who lined up across from Longwood‘s Peter Taddeo on most plays. Taddeo was injured early in the game but returned for the second half. “He showed a lot of heart out there. And they’re a good team and I’m sure we’ll see them again in the playoffs.”
Longwood 35, Central Islip 12: Brett Wilson ran for 135 yards on 12 carries and scored four touchdowns as Longwood (6-2) clinched its first playoff berth since 1999 Friday. Wilson scored on a 15-yard run on Longwood‘s first play, which followed a blocked punt. He added scoring runs of 45, 12 and 23 yards. Sheblee Wali made eight tackles and John Hoeffner made seven. Central Islip is 1-7. Nov. 7
FOOTBALL PREVIEW, Floyd’s got all the tools for playoffs: [SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 11 Nov 2004:
Suffolk Division I
No. 4 Brentwood at No. 1 Floyd – Floyd (8-0) finished with the highest-scoring offense (265 points) and the stingiest defense (79 points) in the division. Colonials senior halfback Andrew Miller scored 16 TDs. Brentwood (5-3) features senior quarterback Lon Garfield and tremendous playoff excitement.
No. 3 Longwood at No. 2 Patchogue-Medford – Patchogue- Medford (7- 1) has depth with the return of senior halfback Anthony Monaco and senior fullback Mike Stephan. Longwood‘s Brett Wilson (17 TDs) is a game-breaker. Linebacker Sheblee Wallee is the key to the Lions’ (6- 2) effort.
Lions restore their roar, Longwood runs past Patchogue-Medford into final: [SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 14 Nov 2004:
Longwood’s football team met Friday night and the seniors stood and shared their individual experiences over the past four years. There were tears and smiles as each player expressed how important this season’s Suffolk Division I playoff run means.
Each senior stressed that a win over Patchogue-Medford and a trip to the division final would take away the sting of the past four difficult years, in which the Lions failed to qualify for the postseason.
Last night, senior halfback Brett Wilson went over right tackle, followed a monstrous block from Peter Taddeo and danced into the end zone from 7 yards with 4:52 left in the third quarter as Longwood came back to beat host Patchogue-Medford, 12-7, before a crowd of 1,500.
Wilson finished with 144 yards on 24 carries and the winning touchdown. Despite slippery field conditions that hampered the running game and a 30-mph gusts from the south that wreaked havoc on the passing game, Wilson was one player who made a difference. He turned a screen pass into a 25-yard gain down the visitors’ sideline to set up Michael Robertson’s 20-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 7-6 with 1:30 left before the half.
“We just missed the playoffs in other years and we really wanted this win,” Wilson said. “I had some excellent blocks from the offensive line and our defense really came to play. This wasn’t about one guy – this was a team effort.”
No. 3 Longwood (7-2) will meet top-seeded Floyd at 7 p.m. Friday at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium for the Division I championship. The Lions‘ last appearance in the playoffs came in 1999; they won the Long Island Class I crown in 1998.
“This is very special for this group of players,” Longwood coach Adam DeWitt said. “These guys poured their hearts outs to one another last night. And then they went out and played a great game.”
With 1:33 remaining, Longwood junior quarterback Anthony Borriello sealed the win with a gutsy third-down completion for 14 yards to a wide-open Kevin Watkins at the Lions‘ 35-yard line.
On third-and-10 from the Lions‘ 21, Borriello play-faked Wilson into the line and rolled left. He threw a dart into the wind that found Watkins at the hash for the first down that would send the Lions into the final.
“I told him they’re only going to remember the last thing you do when you walk off the field,” DeWitt said. “I had all the confidence he’d get the pass there. He’s come a long way for us. They packed the box to stop the run and he made the big play.”
Borriello credited his offensive line with staying on their blocks and giving him time to roll out and make the pass.
“Without the protection up front, I can’t make that throw,” he said. “I was going to bounce it outside and run, but Watkins was open. This is just the greatest feeling ever.”
No. 2 Patchogue-Medford (7-2) seized the momentum in the early going when defensive tackle Chris Pugliese dropped Wilson for a 5- yard loss on the second play from scrimmage, then sacked Borriello for a 5-yard loss, pinning the Lions at the 10 and forcing a punt just 1:45 into the game.
After a short punt, the Raiders took over at the Longwood 30. It took nine plays to move 30 yards before halfback Chris Hanlon went around right end and fumbled into the end zone, where teammate Joe Izzo recovered for the score. Luke Gaddis added the extra-point kick for a 7-0 lead with 5:04 left in the first quarter.
Borriello keyed the Lions‘ first touchdown drive in the second quarter, completing two passes for 40 yards. He hit Wilson for 25 yards, then found tight end Bruce Kriete for 15 yards to the Raiders’ 28. One play later, Robertson followed a Taddeo block for a 20-yard touchdown run to complete the five-play, 68- yard drive.
“I wasn’t touched on the run,” Robertson said. “[Taddeo] cleared them out.”- Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 14 Nov 2004
DIVISION I: LONGWOOD 27, FLOYD 20, ‘D’ leads Longwood, Interception at 7-yard line in final minute halts previously unbeaten Floyd’s comeback try and sends Lions to Class I Long Island title game: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 20 Nov 2004
Linebacker Derek Candiotti glared into the Floyd backfield, shuffled his feet and quickly dropped into coverage. The Longwood senior blinked away the blood streaming from the bridge of his broken nose and braced for the final assault on the Longwood secondary in the Suffolk Division I final.
The football season hung in the balance for both teams as Floyd quarterback Donnie McCarthy desperately searched the Longwood secondary for an open receiver. Longwood’s 15-point lead had shrunk to seven moments earlier and McCarthy was looking to reach the end zone again.
Floyd needed 81 yards in 2:06 to get it done. But defensive back Kevin Bennett made a leaping interception at the 7-yard line of a pass thrown by backup quarterback Terry Stoner to end the comeback bid and preserve No. 3 Longwood’s 27-20 victory over top-seeded, previously unbeaten Floyd Friday night before about 4,000 at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium.
McCarthy completed three passes and drove the Colonials 39 yards in four plays to the Longwood 42 with 44 seconds left. Candiotti and his Longwood teammates had taken Long Island’s top-ranked Large Schools team to the brink of elimination. Now the Lions needed one more stop to pull off the monumental upset.
Trying to take advantage of McCarthy’s pass-catching ability, Floyd called on Stoner to throw deep to McCarthy, switched to wideout. It wasn’t happening. Bennett covered McCarthy and made the interception to stop the drive.
“We made all the right reads on defense and guys kept making big plays,” said Candiotti, who intercepted a pass to halt a touchdown drive inside the Lions’ 10 just before the half. “Our defense in the red zone was tenacious.”
Longwood (8-2) will meet Farmingdale (9-1) for the Class I Long Island championship at noon Friday at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium. Longwood won the title in 1998 and Farmingdale won in 2001. The teams have never played each other.
“This is outrageous, just absolutely incredible,” Longwood coach Adam DeWitt said. “No one gave us a chance.”
Credit the Longwood defense for coming up big on two fourth-down conversion attempts in the first half.
The Lions stopped a fourth-and-1 run and took over at their 21. They were forced into a punting situation, but an overaggressive Floyd defensive unit leveled punter Charles Sollecito. The roughing- the-kicker penalty moved the ball to the Floyd 46, and three plays later, wide receiver Kevin Watkins caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AnthonyBorriello. The point-after kick gave Longwood a 7-0 lead with 4:07 left in the half.
“There was pressure and I let it fly,” said Borriello, who completed 4 of 5 passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. “I knew Watkins would get it.”
Floyd (9-1) tried to respond on the next possession but the drive was stopped on a fourth-and-3 pass play that fell incomplete. Three plays later, Brett Wilson went around right end for a 45-yard touchdown and a 13-0 lead with 48 seconds left in the half.
“We get him a lane and he’s gone,” Longwood guard Peter Taddeo said.
Wilson finished with 167 yards on 19 carries, including two touchdowns. His 24-yard scoring run with 4:01 left in the game gave the Lions a 27-12 lead. That run was set up by a fourth-and-1 play at the Lions’ 38 with 6:42 left. Michael Robertson followed a block from Taddeo for 5 yards and the first down.
“Taddeo told me to run the play behind him and guaranteed the first down,” DeWitt said. “He was right.”
STUNNED BY LONGWOOD, Floyd RB Miller’s title dreams run into a wall,: [SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 21 Nov 2004:
An exceptional high school football career came to an end Friday night.
Floyd halfback Andrew Miller, a three-year starter, walked dejectedly off the LaValle Stadium field at Stony Brook University as Longwood celebrated a 27-20 win behind him.
It was a wild week for the 6-1, 205- pound Miller. He experienced the thrill of agreeing to attend Johns Hopkins on a full lacrosse scholarship next fall, and the pain of an unexpected exit from the Suffolk Division I final.
Miller took off his helmet and viewed the massive party at midfield, frowned and shook his head in disbelief. The senior halfback rushed for 157 yards on 28 carries and scored two touchdowns. His hard running style typified the type of football played by Floyd since he made varsity as a sophomore.
“The playoffs are a whole different level,” said Miller, who ran for more than 1,000 yards each season. “Longwood’s line was huge and really came to play. We knew they’d be tough.
“Brett Wilson had a great game and we just picked it up a little too late.”
Longwood senior halfback Wilson had 167 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns as the No. 3 Lions (8-2) upset top-seeded and previously unbeaten Floyd (9-1).
“They shut us out in the first half and I never thought any team could do that with all of our playmakers,” Miller said. “We kept coming back, but time was not on our side. My hat is off to Longwood.”
Miller strapped his helmet on one more time and made his way to the end zone and out of the tunnel. His gait was slowed by a tremendous physical pounding. With football now in his past, he stepped into the waiting bus for the long ride home.
LONGWOOD, Wilson thankful to be there: [NASSAU Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, 23 Nov 2004
Hours before the biggest game of his career, senior halfback Brett Wilson Jr. stunned his Longwood teammates.
He told them the story of a homeless kid who lived in Central Islip four years ago. He told them how a family of five stuck together through the hardest of times and slept together in a truck. He wanted his teammates to see how fortunate they were and to realize what real adversity is all about.
Wilson drew a picture of sadness, then went on to illustrate how that family overcame such hardshipand now lives comfortably in Coram. He spoke of the importance of teamwork and unselfishness.
Then he told them it was a tale of his family, about Brett Wilson Jr., his little brother and sister, and their parents, who found peace and happiness in the Longwood district.
Tears filled the room.
“Brett shared his emotions and blew the team away with his story,” Longwood coach Adam DeWitt said. “It really put things in perspective. He thanked everyone for being supportive.”
Wilson, a 5-7, 170-pound halfback, set the tone for the “We Are Family” mantra during the against Farmingdale (9-1) in the Class I Long Island final.
“My family went through some hard times and we tried to hide it,” said Wilson, who has 1,420 yards and 20 touchdowns. “We had some real struggles but we stuck together.”
Things have really changed for the Wilsons in the past few years. They live in a beautiful four-bedroom house, and his parents, Sharon and Brett Sr., couldn’t be prouder of their football-playing son. His biggest fans are his brother, Asaiah, and his sister, Diamond.
The buzz at Longwood is that the dynamic Wilson cannot be stopped. The team feeds off his energetic style of play. “This season has been so much fun,” Wilson said.
“Everything is great in school, in football and with my family. I have a lot of reasons to be thankful.”
LI FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: LONGWOOD:
Sarra, Gregg. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 23 Nov 2004
LONGWOOD
Coach – Adam DeWitt (first season, 8-2).
The Lions (8-2)
They made it through some tough times early in the season and grew as a team. Longwood was seeded fifth in Suffolk Division I and was expected to compete for a playoff berth. The emergence of junior Anthony Borriello as a leader at quarterback and the star-like quality of senior halfback Brett Wilson, who has 20 touchdowns, made them a threat on offense. Longwood won the Class I Long Island title in 1998.
How they got here
Longwood earned the third seed for the playoffs with a strong regular-season finish. A 35-13 victory over Connetquot turned the season around. A 22-14 loss at Patchogue-Medford during Week7 sent the Lions on the road for the playoffs, where they upended the Raiders in a rematch in the semifinals, 12-7. Longwood beat Floyd, 27-20, in the Division I title game.
About the offense
Borriello has keyed the march into the Long Island championship game. He has completed crucial passes in each of the past five games. His emergence as a bona fide signal-caller has taken some of the heat off Wilson. The offensive line is anchored by senior guard Peter Taddeo and senior tackle Frank Murphy [CORRECTION: The last name of Longwood offensive tackle Frank Marino was incorrect in a story in yesterday’s sports section. pg. A08 NS 11/24/04]. Senior wide receiver Kevin Bennett is a gritty player who gets the tough yards on third-down receptions.
About the defense
Longwood stopped Floyd inside the red zone on three drives in the championship game. Senior linebackers Derek Candiotti and Sheblee Wallee are tenacious. The Lions need the defensive line to play well in order to stop the ground game of Farmingdale and massive senior halfback Anthony Barksdale.
Bottom line
Longwood likes to mix it up on offense. Wilson is electric and Borriello makes plays with a strong and accurate arm. Farmingdale will come right at the Longwood defensive front and try to wear it down. Longwood is a big-play team.c
Longwood triumphs: [NASSAU Edition]
Sarra, Gregg. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 20 Nov 2004:
Linebacker Derek Candiotti glared into the Floyd backfield, shuffled his feet and quickly dropped into coverage. The Longwood senior blinked away the blood streaming from the bridge of his broken nose and braced for the final assault on the Longwood secondary in the Suffolk Division I final.
The football season hung in the balance for both teams as Floyd quarterback Donnie McCarthy desperately searched the Longwood secondary for an open receiver. Longwood‘s 15-point lead had shrunk to seven moments earlier and McCarthy was looking to reach the end zone again.
Floyd needed 81 yards in 2:06 to get it done. But defensive back Kevin Bennett’s leaping interception at the 7-yard line of a pass thrown by backup quarterback Terry Stoner preserved No. 3 Longwood‘s 27-20 victory over top-seeded, previously unbeaten Floyd Friday night before about 4,000 at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium.
McCarthy completed three passes and drove the Colonials 39 yards in four plays to the Longwood 42 with 44 seconds left. Longwood had taken Long Island’s top- ranked Large Schools team to the brink of elimination. Now the Lions needed one more stop to pull off the huge upset.
Trying to take advantage of McCarthy’s pass-catching ability, Floyd (9-1) called on Stoner to throw deep to McCarthy, switched to wideout. It wasn’t happening. Bennett covered McCarthy and made the interception to stop the drive.
Longwood (8-2) will meet Farmingdale (9-1) for the Class I Long Island title at noon Friday at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium. Longwood won the title in 1998; Farmingdale won in 2001. The teams have never played each other.
LOST MOMENTUM, Dalers open with a TD, then falter: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
ERIK BOLAND. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 27 Nov 2004:
It began quietly enough with a 5-yard touchdown run by Farmingdale’s Nakyle Bethay.
Then you-know-what broke loose in the first quarter of the Class I Long Island championship game Friday afternoon at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
Bethay’s run capped a 17-play, 83-yard game-opening drive that took 9:08 off the clock, helping Farmingdale to a 7-0 lead. For the Dalers, not considered a high-octane, quick-strike offense by any stretch, it was the perfect start.
“We felt like ourselves that drive,” Farmingdale senior back Charles Ross said. “Our running backs hit the holes, our line blocked, our receivers caught the ball. We played 11-man football. Everyone did their job.”
Until the ensuing kickoff, which Longwood‘s Kevin Bennett returned 86 yards for a touchdown, the first kickoff return for a score in Long Island Championships history. But Ross had his own counter-punch, a 90-yard return for a score on the following kickoff.
After Ross’ run, Longwood‘s Erik Merkerson returned the kickoff 58 yards to the Farmingdale 15. He fumbled but teammate Rory Sheppard, trailing the play, picked up the loose ball on one hop and sprinted into the end zone.
It was a whiplash-inducing sequence for the 4,000 in attendance that produced four touchdowns in 39 seconds. When it was over, Farmingdale led 14-12 (Longwood missed an extra point and a conversion run.)
“That was bizarre, crazy,” Farmingdale coach Buddy Krumenacker said. “As long as I’ve been around, I haven’t witnessed anything that strange.”
Though Farmingdale led after the fireworks, and later held a 20- 18 halftime lead, Krumenacker felt his team wasted what had been established on the opening drive and the seeds had been sown for what would be a 39-23 loss.
“They have excellent offensive players that we wanted to keep off the field,” Krumenacker said of Longwood. “We chewed up a tremendous amount of time in the first quarter. Things were right where we wanted it in terms of time, but our kickoff coverage team has been bad all year and it was bad again today.”
Farmingdale lost to Freeport in last year’s Nassau final, when Ross was a junior. “You don’t know how [losing] really feels until you’re a senior,” he said. “It hurts much more than last year. It’s like a dagger.”
CLASS I: LONGWOOD 39, FARMINGDALE 23, Suffolk teams make a loud statement, After three straight TDs on kick returns get game off to wild start, Wilson’s two TDs in fourth quarter lift Lions: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
GREGG SARRA. STAFF WRITER, Compiled by Andy Slawson. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 27 Nov 2004
When Longwood ran its first play from scrimmage Friday, 26 points already were on the scoreboard. That’s because after a long scoring drive by Farmingdale, three consecutive kickoff returns resulted in touchdowns – making it four TDs in a 39-second span in a stunning start to the Class I Long Island championship game.
After that exchange, Farmingdale led by two. Then, once Longwood halfback Brett Wilson got into the flow, it was over for the Dalers.
Wilson – who gained just two yards in the first quarter as the Lions ran merely two plays – was electric in the final three quarters, finishing with 193 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns in Longwood’s 39-23 victory before approximately 4,000 at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
“This is the greatest feeling in the world,” Wilson said. “We did it.”
Longwood first-year coach Adam DeWitt was ecstatic: “There are no words to describe this. Our kids went through a lot to get to the pinnacle of high school football. They had a new coaching staff and a new system implemented this year. We just got stronger and believed in ourselves as the season wore on.”
Longwood’s second half was consistent with the second half of its season, in which it avenged losses to Patchogue-Medford and Floyd with victories in the Suffolk playoffs. Trailing 20-18 at halftime, Longwood outscored Farmingdale 21-3 in the second half. “We had a very emotional halftime,” linebacker Sheblee Wali said. “And we came out and took it away from them.”
Wilson’s touchdown runs of 6 and 26 yards broke open a 26-23 game. “We stayed in our game plan and ran the ball right at them,” Longwood right guard Peter Taddeo said. “We won the battle of the bulge up front and took the game over in the second half. When you have a guy like Brett Wilson, who’s so elusive, you win.”
Wilson’s 54-yard run to open the third quarter set up a 1-yard sneak for a touchdown by quarterback Anthony Borriello. Wilson added the two-point conversion run and Longwood took a 26-20 lead with 10:08 left in the quarter, its first lead of the game.
Wilson’s run to open the half was keyed by a pivotal downfield block from wide receiver Kevin Bennett. “The blocking doesn’t stop at the line,” Bennett said. “We downfield-block because we know Brett’s on the way. It’s very important.”
Tom Maca’s 28-yard field goal got the Dalers within 26-23 with 59 seconds left in the third quarter before Longwood went on another long scoring drive. The Lions marched 63 yards in 11 plays, capped by Wilson’s 6-yard TD run for a 32-23 lead with 8:33 left in the game. Wilson gained most of his yardage on that drive and in the game behind the 6-2, 290-pound Taddeo and 6-5, 340-pound tackle Frank Marino.
Farmingdale couldn’t answer. Ryan Bagnasco caught a 33-yard pass from Anthony Barksdale at the Longwood 41 before the Lions’ defense stiffened. Taddeo sacked Barksdale for a 6-yard loss, and after a long incomplete pass, Wali pressured Barksdale into throwing the ball away on third down to force a punt. Wilson’s 26-yard touchdown run with 1:46 left clinched it.
It was the second Long Island title for Longwood (9-2), which captured the crown in 1998. It was Farmingdale’s fifth appearance in the championship game and fourth in six years. The Dalers (9-2) won the title in 2001.
Farmingdale, which had won nine in a row, opened the game with a 17-play, 83-yard drive that lasted 9:08, capped by halfback Nakyle Bethay’s 5-yard TD run. Maca’s kick made it 7-0.
Bennett took the ensuing kickoff and found an open lane, bounced outside toward the visitor’s sideline and sprinted for an 86-yard touchdown. Bruce Kriete’s extra-point kick was wide left, so Farmingdale led 7-6. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown in the 13 years of the Long Island Championships.
Then Farmingdale’s Charles Ross returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown as the Dalers took a 14-12 lead.
Then Longwood’s Erik Merkerson returned the ensuing kickoff 58 yards and fumbled. Teammate Rory Sheppard scooped it up and ran the final 15 yards for yet another touchdown, the fourth score in 39 seconds.
And the Lions still hadn’t run an offensive play. But Farmingdale couldn’t keep the ball out of Wilson’s hands forever.
CLASS I LONG ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP
At Shuart Stadium, Hofstra
| Longwood 126813-39 |
| Farmingdale 14630-23 |
| F – Bethay 5 run (Maca kick) |
L – Bennett 86 kickoff return (kick failed)
F – Ross 90 kickoff return (Maca kick)
L – Sheppard 15 fumble recovery on kickoff return (run failed)
L – Watkins 8 pass from Borriello (pass failed)
F – Bagnasco 1 run (run failed)
L – Borriello 1 run (Wilson run)
F – FG Maca 28
L – Wilson 6 run (run failed)
L – Wilson 26 run (Kriete kick)