HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW / SUFFOK DIVISION I: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
Reported by Gregg Sarra. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 10 Sep 2000:
1. BRENTWOOD (11-0)
Coach: Bob Kolar (fourth year).
Key Players: Senior LB/TB Chante Douse (6-0, 185), senior WR/CB Herbie Brown (5-9, 170), senior OT/DT Camilo Castenada (6-0, 240), senior OT/DT Lavell Elmore (6-1, 240), senior FB/LB Alex Cintron (5- 10, 230).
Top Newcomers: Junior QB Tom Blumenauer (6-1, 180).
Comment: Brentwood is the defending Long Island Class I champion and holder of the Rutgers Trophy. The Indians will be hard-pressed to repeat in a division with as many as nine teams good enough to claim the championship. “We have the most kids ever in our camp and I know we’ll be ready,” Kolar said. “But one through nine in our division can win it. We’ll be good, but we’ll need to stay healthy. We’re not very big, but we’re very tough.” Brentwood will have to replace its entire backfield and All-Long Island middle linebacker Edy Lobo this year.
2. LINDENHURST (8-2)
Coach: Rich Biancaniello (18th year).
Key Players: Senior QB Erik Conroy (6-6, 205), senior LB/FB Bobby Dare (5-10, 190), senior OT/DT Jonathan Pontecorvo (5-10, 212), senior TB/DB Mike Kelly (5-10, 185).
Top Newcomers: Senior DE/WR Joe Pritchard (5-11, 175), senior OT/ DT Henry Gaeding (6-1, 300).
Comment: Lindenhurst brings a bevy of experienced linemen back this season for another run at the division title. The Bulldogs are also excited about the return of strong-armed quarterback Conroy, who led them to eight wins in 1999. There are five starters back on both sides of the ball and Biancaniello said depth is a concern, but the playoffs are a reality. “I always expect to make the playoffs,” said Biancaniello, who has guided the Bulldogs to the playoffs in 14 of the last 17 years. “But you never know with injuries and the like. We have a talented group, but we need to stay healthy.” The Bulldogs lost to Brentwood, the Long Island Class I champion in the Suffolk Division I championship game.
3. SACHEM (5-4)
Coach: Fred Fusaro (30th year).
Key Players: Senior LB/TE Brian Nutter (6-1, 210), senior FB/LB Matt Hennessey (6-1, 215), senior HB Jason Kling (5-7, 165), senior SE Justin Dowling (5-11, 170), senior OT/DT Rob Fitzmaurice (6-2, 225), senior OT/DT Duncan Iannucci (6-2, 235).
Top Newcomers: Junior QB Joe Guiliano (6-1, 190), junior QB Matt Garcia (5-11, 175), junior C/LB Chris Genshan (6-2, 225).
Comment: Sachem looks to reach the playoffs for the 20th consecutive year. The Flaming Arrows have a solid nucleus returning, including four sophomores that started in 1999. All-Long Island kicker Chris Onorato will be difficult to replace, but Fusaro hopes the experienced offensive line will enable his team to move down the field consistently.
4. FLOYD (5-3)
Coach: Paul Longo (sixth year).
Key Players: Senior WR Marcel Street (6-5, 190), senior HB Nick Monetti (5-10, 190), junior CB Matt Miller (6-0, 180), senior LB Anthony Rodriguez (5-11, 215), senior OT Joe Perri (6-3, 235).
Top Newcomers: Junior OG Justin Crisci (6-3, 270), senior C Rich Pimentel (6-1, 250), senior OT Rob Crisci (6-2, 280).
Comment: Floyd replaced two All-Long Island players and a 1,000- yard rusher last year and still made the playoffs. This is not a rebuilding year and the Colonials could be the biggest team in Division I. If the line plays as big as it is, look for a potent ground attack with Monetti.
5. PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD (4-4)
Coach: Bob Sconone (eighth year).
Key Players: Senior DE Vin Funaro (6-1, 202), junior QB Mike Farrell (6-0, 192), senior RB/NG Mike Brendli (5-7, 185).
Top Newcomers: Junior RB/LB Dan Silva (5-9, 192).
Comment: There is plenty of experience on the offensive line where four starters return, but the skill position players are new and the Red Raiders will find it tough to reach the playoffs. Sconone has led Patchogue to five playoff appearances in seven years, but none since 1998.
6. LONGWOOD (4-5)
Coach: John Murphy (first year).
Key Players: Senior QB Brian Doohan (6-0, 185), senior OG/DT Phil Dinis (6-0, 245), junior TB/DB Tremaine France (5-6, 165).
Top Newcomers: Junior FB/MLB David LaGala (5-9, 190), junior OT/ NG Chris King (6-2, 295).
Comment: The Lions missed the playoffs last year after winning the Long Island Class I championship in 1998. Murphy, the former offensive coordinator, takes over for the departed Joe Cipp III as coach. Cipp will be an assistant for his father at Bellport this season. Expect Longwood to make a run at the final playoff spot after a disappointing finish in 1999. An inexperienced backfield makes this Longwood team a mystery.
7. CENTRAL ISLIP (4-4)
Coach: Tom Black (12th year).
Key Players: Senior RB Steven Davis (5-10, 170), senior OT/DT Ralph Horton (6-5, 245), senior TE/DE David Baniro (6-4, 210).
Top Newcomers: Junior QB Nate Mickle (5-10, 160), junior OG/LB J.T. Andreassi (6-4, 190).
Comment: The Musketeers have little depth, so keeping everyone healthy will be critical to their playoff chances. “We need a couple of breaks, but I can see us making the playoffs,” Black said. “We have one of the finest halfbacks [Davis] in the county. If the line plays well, we’ll be all right.” Davis has rushed for more than 1,000 yards for two straight seasons.
8. COMMACK (2-6)
Coach: John Foley (fifth year).
Key Players: Senior WR/FS Bryan Tornee (5-11, 180), senior QB Mike Prahalis (5-11, 175), senior FB/LB Clint Riggs (6-0, 235), senior OG/ DE Scott Shukei (6-2, 225), senior WR Russ Lancey (5-10, 175).
Top Newcomers: Junior WR/LB Sean Malone (5-10, 180), junior FB/LB Matt Miglio (5-10, 210), junior FS Keith Connors (5-10, 175).
Comment: In Prahalis and Tornee, Commack has one of Suffolk’s top passing combinations. The duo hooked up for 756 yards and seven touchdowns as juniors last season. Prahalis finished with 1,228 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. Expect Commack to air it out and make a strong bid for a playoff spot.
9. CONNETQUOT (4-4)
Coach: Tony Felicio Jr. (second year).
Key Players: Senior FB/LB Jesse Torborg (6-0, 202), senior TE/OLB Michael Paino (6-2, 221), senior OT/LB Tim Dreyer (6-1, 222), senior OG/DT John Martire (6-0, 232).
Top Newcomers: Senior QB/DB Dan O’Brien (5-8, 160), junior OT Dennis Buckshaw Jr. (6-2, 234).
Comment: Connetquot had the third highest scoring offense in the division last year and looks to an experienced offensive line to pave the way for a young backfield.
10. WHITMAN (3-5)
Coach: Rich Cariddi (24th year).
Key Players: Senior RB Nick Woll (5-10, 170), senior QB Brandan Shephard (5-11, 175), senior RB Ashun Jackson (5-9, 165).
Top Newcomers: Senior RB Rob Bunze (5-10, 180), senior OT Miguel Navarro (5-10, 250).
Comment: Whitman gets thrown into Division I after a mediocre season in Division II. Because they are an inexperienced team, the Wildcats will be hard-pressed to reach the playoffs. The speedy Jackson stunned Division II opponents with his running ability, and is a threat as a kick returner. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to return kicks in this division.
11. WARD MELVILLE (1-6-1)
Coach: Craig Perrino (fourth year).
Key Players: Senior OG/DT Jason Smagin (5-10, 230), senior FB/LB Shane Ferraro (6-2, 215), senior QB/FS Ryan Kelaher (5-10, 170).
Top Newcomers: Junior OG/DT Tim Stratton (5-10, 220), junior OT/ DT Anthony Belvedere (5-10, 220).
Comment: The Patriots aren’t very big, but they’re athletic and feel they can move the ball on offense. “We are cautiously optimistic,” Perrino said. “Our quarterback needs to have a good year for us to be successful. And his performance will be dictated by the offensive line.”
12. SMITHTOWN (0-8)
Coach: Jim Saladino (first year).
Key Players: Senior RB/LB Rick Pinero (5-9, 165), senior QB/LB Jon Zimmer (6-2, 215), senior OL/DL Paul Bunton (6-0, 210).
Top Newcomers: Junior QB/DB Gordon Jacobs (6-0, 175), junior FB/ LB Louis Serpico (5-10, 185), junior RB/DB Michel McManus (5-7, 165).
Comment: There is reason for optimism in Smithtown with the emergence of Zimmer. He has been touted as one of the area’s best quarterback prospects by college coaches. The Bulls return several key skill position players, and that should help Zimmer put points on the board.
Whitman 29, Longwood 8: Halfback Ashun Jackson rushed for 95 yards on six carries and Nick Woll added 94 yards on 17 rushes as the Wildcats made the most of their debut in Division I with a big win. Whitman (1-0) scored 22 unanswered points in the second quarter and held Longwood (0-1) scoreless in the second half. Jackson scored on a 40-yard run on Whitman’s opening drive and added a 14-yard scoring run in the second quarter. Woll, at linebacker, had six solo tackles, two assists and grabbed an interception for the Whitman defense. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 17 Sep 2000:
| LONGWOOD 8 0 0 0-8 |
| WHITMAN 7 22 0 0-29 |
| W-Jackson 40 run (Mahaffy kick) |
L-France 8 run (France run)
W-Lucido 2 run (Henry from Woll)
W-Jackson 14 run (Mahaffy kick)
W-Woll 8 run (Mahaffy kick)
Sachem 28, Longwood 8: Sophomore tailback Charlie Hall rushed seven times for 90 yards and two touchdowns to lead Sachem on Friday night. Hall scored on touchdown runs of 6 and 21 yards. Senior tailback Jason Kling rushed for 70 yards on 10 carries to lead the Sachem ground game. Linebacker John Lopes had eight tackles and linebacker Brian Nutter seven for Sachem (2-0). Longwood is 0-2. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 24 Sep 2000
HIGH SCHOOL WEEK 3 / DIVISION I / Vitale’s Late Field Goal Lifts P-M: [SUFFOLK Edition]
Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 29 Sep 2000:
John Vitale nailed a 43-yard field goal with 4:38 left to lift Patchogue-Medford to a 3-0 win over Longwood in a Suffolk Division I football game yesterday.
Longwood‘s John Enkopf missed a 43-yarder into a stiff wind at the gun.
The only score of the game came after Patchogue-Medford took possession at Longwood‘s 35-yard line after a punt. The Red Raiders were unable to get a first down, but Vitale bailed them out with the longest field goal of his career.
Al Koos had nine solo tackles to lead Patchogue-Medford (1-2) on defense. Longwood is 0-3.
Lindenhurst (4-0) defeated Longwood, 31-15. Quarterback Erik Conroy hit Joe Pritchard for a 20-yard TD pass and ran 25 yards for another score Friday night. Michael Kelly’s 16-yard option pass to Michael Thier gave Lindenhurst (4-0) a 6-0 first-quarter lead. Kelly also rushed for 156 yards on 18 carries. Longwood is 0-4.Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 08 Oct 2000:
Ward Melville 14, Longwood 6: Ryan Simms rushed for 148 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns for Ward Melville (2-3). Longwood is 0- 5. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 15 Oct 2000:
Longwood 0 0 0 6 –6
Ward Melville 0 6 8 0 — 14
WM — Simms 5 run (kick failed)
WM — Simms 17 run (Maehr run)
L — Sliwinski 2 run (run failed)
Smithtown 14 0 14 0 — 28
Longwood 7 3 0 8 — 18
S — Zimmer 15 run (Jacobs kick)
L — Sliwinski 10 run (Enkofr kick)
S — Pinero 8 run (Jacobs kick)
L — FG Enkofr 44
S — Coffin 26 pass from Zimmer (Jacobs kick)
S — Pinero 20 pass from Zimmer (Jacobs kick)
L — Sliwinski 96 run (Massian run) Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 23 Oct 2000:
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL week 7 / DIVISION I / Commack Pays Back Longwood: [SUFFOLK Edition]
Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 29 Oct 2000:
Some coaches never forget. And what goes around eventually comes around. So when Longwood pounded the stuffing out of Commack by 49 points three years ago, even calling a timeout to set up a first- half touchdown with a 35-point lead, Commack coach John Foley made a mental note.
Yesterday the shoe was on the other foot. And payback can be a tough lesson. Quarterback Mike Prahalis defied strong winds and passed for four touchdowns as Commack delighted a Homecoming Day throng of 2,433 with a 64-8 drubbing of Longwood in a Suffolk Division I game.
Commack improved to 7-0 and Longwood fell to 0-7 as Prahalis completed 12 of 19 passes for 210 yards. But tensions ran high when Commack, with a 29-0 lead and 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the first half, ran a double reverse for what appeared to be a 60-yard touchdown run by wideout Sean Malone. The play incensed the Longwood coaching staff, which verbally abused the Commack players and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Commack also was flagged for a clip on the run, negating the score. The referees sent both teams to the sidelines and called the coaches to midfield to calm the situation. No further disciplinary action was taken. Neither Foley nor Longwood coach John Murphy could be reached for comment on the incident.
Brentwood 36, Longwood 15: Chante Douse rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries to lead Brentwood. Quarterback Tom Blumenauer rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries and Hassaan Jackson added 56 yards on 10 carries. Lavell Elmore led the defense with 12 tackles and Tamilo Castenada chipped in 10. Brentwood (2-6) posted the worst record of any defending Rutgers Trophy champion since the trophy’s inception in 1947. Longwood ended the season at 0-8, the school’s worst record since 1990. In 1998, Longwood had the best record (11-0) of any team on Long Island. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 05 Nov 2000