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All-Long Island Football, 2002

All-Long Island Football, 2002 ()

The 27 Long Island football players who stood out the most this season.

OFFENSE

ALEX CONLON
Quarterback, St. Anthony's (6-2, 200, Sr.):

So much has been made of the Friars' vaunted ground game. And with good reason -- they averaged 243 yards a game. But what made them so unbeatable was the dimension of Conlon's passing. He completed 52 of 98 passes for 1,137 yards and 9 touchdowns. He added another 363 yards rushing on 44 carries and 5 TDs. "It was tough to prepare for our offense because Alex gave us that extra threat, coach Rich Reichert said. Conlon led the Friars to their second straight CHSFL AAA title.

MATT QUIGLEY
QB, Lindenhurst (6-0, 190, Sr.):
In a season mired by miserable weather and worse, Quigley was one of the Island's few successful passers. His strong, accurate passing led the Bulldogs to a 7-2 record, including a 12-0 victory over eventual LI Class I champ Patchogue-Medford. He completed 79 of 157 for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns. "He was the best we've ever had at the position, coach Rich Biancaniello said.

ALEX BAEZ
Running Back, Patchogue-Medford (5-10, 175, Sr.):
Baez will be remembered for saving his best for last. His 200-yard, two-touchdown performance helped the Raiders upend Farmingdale, 27-13, in the LI Class I final. His championship total enabled the speedy back to break the Suffolk single-season rushing record with 2,198 yards. He was a finalist for the Hansen Award, given to Suffolk's best player, and had 24 TDs. He rushed for more than 300 yards twice and a least 200 yards six times. Baez, recognized as a member of Suffolk's Golden 11 by the National Football Foundation, will attend an Ivy League school.

JASON GWALTNEY
RB, North Babylon (6-1, 212, So.):
The second sophomore to earn All-Long Island status in 41 years. Gwaltney, a Hansen Award finalist, had great field vision and breakaway speed. His lateral quickness and ability to avoid big hits were vital to his success. He had 1,621 yards on 197 carries and 30 touchdowns as the Bulldogs rolled to the LI Class II title. He averaged 202 yards a game and scored at least five touchdowns in three games. "The potential for greatness is there, coach Terry Manning said. "He could break every conceivable record that's out there. He's that good. Gwaltney missed the last two games of the season with a broken leg, but is expected to make a full recovery.

MATT HAHN
RB, St. Anthony's (6-1, 215, Jr.):
The Friars' offense punished defenses with a large dose of Hahn, who mixed speed with brute force. The bulldozing powerback ran over linebackers and away from defensive backs. He was a finalist for the Hansen Award and earned the CHSFL's offensive player of the year award. He had 1,368 yards on 141 carries and 28 touchdowns as the Friars marched to the CHSFL AAA title. Hahn averaged more than 9 yards per carry and caught six passes for 186 yards and two scores. The exciting part for St. Anthony's? He is only a junior.

KEVIN HILLMANN
RB, Seaford (5-11, 175, Sr.):
How crucial was Hillmann to the Vikings' bid for a Long Island championship? Even though Hillmann piled up 1,267 yards in eight regular-season wins, it was his determined running in the playoffs that powered the Vikings to the Nassau Conference IV title. He added 503 yards in a postseason marked by bad weather. But even he couldn't help the Vikings overcome Babylon in the LI Class IV title game, the lone setback in a 10-1 season. Hillmann finished with 1,771 yards and 21 TDs on 319 carries.