2006 All-Long Island Football

BY JASON MOLINET AND GREGG SARRA | Newsday Staff Writers

December 17, 2006

A look at Long Island's best football players from the 2006 season.
RHAMEL BRATTON

WR, Huntington

(6-2, 180, Sr.)

Rhamel Bratton and his twin brother Shamel were double trouble for all opponents. The dynamic duo were virtually unstoppable. Rhamel had 47 receptions for 918 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. He added 26 tackles and two interceptions on defense. The brothers are two of the most sought-after college recruits in the country in football and lacrosse.

SHAMEL BRATTON

WR, Huntington

(6-2, 180, Sr.)

Shamel Bratton had 47 catches for 814 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added three scores rushing. Shamel was the open-field breakaway threat who burned opponents for long touchdowns all season. He added 32 tackles and three interceptions on defense. He, his brother Rhamel and quarterback Zach Howell played pitch and catch often in opposing secondaries.

TREVOR COSTON

DB, Glenn

(5-11, 190, Sr.)

Trevor Coston emerged as one of Long Island's top two-way players. He completed 80 of 113 passes for 1,352 yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 55 solo tackles, forced two fumbles, had two interceptions and blocked a field goal. That's doing it all.

KYLE CROTTY

DB, Bethpage

(6-2, 182, Sr.)

Kyle Crotty missed his junior year with a broken left arm and Bethpage suffered from the loss. A starter as a sophomore, Crotty returned to the lineup this fall and led the Golden Eagles to a 9-2 season and the Nassau Conference III title. He rushed for 781 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 carries and threw for 405 yards and 3 scores at quarterback. Crotty had 43 tackles, 6 interceptions and 2 defensive scores.

MALIK CROWL

DL, Lawrence

(6-0, 310, Sr.)

Malik Crowl, a three-year starter on defense, was the muscle behind Lawrence's Class II Long Island title. He accounted for 85 tackles, 20 for a loss or no gain, with 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 recoveries. He finished his career with 186 stops, 14.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles.

BRYAN DISABATO

DB, Lawrence

(5-10, 170, Sr.)

Bryan DiSabato emerged as a dynamic player on Lawrence's Class II championship team and as a finalist for Newsdsay's Thorp Award, given to Nassau's best player. He rushed for 1,168 yards, had 425 receiving yards and totaled 20 touchdowns. A two-year starter, DiSabato was equally feared on defense. He returned two of his four interceptions for scores.

CHRIS EDMOND

THORP AWARD WINNER

LB, Freeport

(5-11, 195, Sr.)

Chris Edmond proved to be one of the state's best two-way threats and earned the Thorp Award. He moved from tackle to the backfield and led Freeport to the Nassau Conference I title game. He ran for 1,103 yards on 112 carries and had eight catches for 190 yards and 11 touchdowns. At middle linebacker, Edmond made 102 tackles (61 solo) and had 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 blocked punts.

JOHN ELLIOTT

OT, East Meadow

(6-5, 290, Sr.)

John Elliott became the first repeat winner of the Martone Award as Nassau's best lineman after leading the Jets to their first Nassau Conference I title. Elliott was a dominant force on the offensive line. A two-time All-Long Island pick, he rung up 44 pancake blocks and didn't allow a sack on offense. He added 23 tackles - four for a loss - and had one sack on defense. Elliott, with 115 career pancakes, is one of the best linemen Long Island has seen.

ZACH GALLO

OL, Sayville

(6-0, 245, Sr.)

Zach Gallo, a two-time All-Long Island selection, was the anchor and team captain of the offensive and defensive lines for a Sayville team that marched to the Class III Long Island title. The powerful three-time All-County pick can bench press 375 pounds and squat 475. He had 26 solo tackles, 29 assists, 6 sacks and a fumble recovery. He was a two-time finalist for the Zellner Award.

EDWIN GOWINS

HANSEN AWARD WINNER

RB, Bellport

(6-0, 220, Sr.)

Edwin Gowins earned the Hansen Award, given to Suffolk's top player, after a season in which he gained 1,776 yards on 212 carries (8.6 yards per carry average). He scored 31 touchdowns and added seven two-point conversions to total 212 points. He holds 12 all-time scoring and rushing records at Bellport. And if defense was your game, he was the man, with 85 tackles, including 26 for a loss, and two caused fumbles. He also had three sacks and three blocked punts, two for safeties.

TOM HAGAN

OL, St. Anthony's

(6-3, 275, Sr.)

Tom Hagan, a three-year starter, paved the way for St. Anthony's to win its sixth straight CHSFL championship. The huge offensive lineman cleared the path for another 1,000 rusher in halfback John Gagliano. In the title game against Mt. St. Michael, the Friars drove 98 yards for the winning score behind the likes of road-graders like Hagan.

RYAN HANTVERK

All-Purpose, Lynbrook

(6-0, 185, Sr.)

Ryan Hantverk showcased the hands and moves to walk away with the Dragon Award as Nassau's best receiver. He recorded 1,400 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns as Lynbrook reached the Nassau Conference III title game. Hantverk averaged 15 yards per catch, 6 yards per carry and added four special teams scores. He will play lacrosse at UMass.

ZACH HOWELL

QB, Huntington

(6-1, 175, Sr.)

Zach Howell led Huntington to the Class III Long Island title in 2005 and back to the Suffolk Division III final this year. He was the consummate leader. He completed ' of 211 passes for 2,368 yards and a Long Island-leading 20 touchdowns. The three-year starter completed 367 of 501 passes for 5,337 yards, 50 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a 73 percent completion rate. He will play lacrosse at Duke.

BROCK JACKOLSKI

RB, Floyd

(5-11, 175, Jr.)

Brock Jackolski and Floyd cruised to another Class I Long Island championship. This time the Hansen Award runner-up finished with 1,376 yards and 25 touchdowns on 138 carries. His breakaway speed and field vision made it difficult to contain him. He made numerous big plays on defense and totaled 82 tackles, 2 interceptions and 9 batted passes. His big-play capability was evident again the Long Island Championships when he scored three touchdowns.

MIKE MAYO

RB, Roosevelt

(5-10, 185, Sr.)

Mike Mayo, a three-year starter, was runner-up for the Thorp Award and capped his career with his second Class IV Long Island title in three years. A second-team All-Long Island pick a year ago, Mayo rushed for 2,232 yards - the second-highest total in Nassau history - and 26 touchdowns on 224 carries. He added 56 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions - both returned for scores. Mayo finishes with 4,048 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns.

IFEANYI MOMAH

WR, Glenn

(6-6, 215, Sr.)

Ifeanyi Momah earned the Dragon Award presented to Suffolk's top wide receiver. His extraordinary leaping ability and speed helped him catch a school-record 47 passes for 872 yards and seven scores. He also had 78 tackles, including 12 for a loss, two forced fumbles and a recovery. He was a dominant factor on both sides of the ball.

ROBERT MOORE

DB, Brentwood

(5-9, 175, Sr.)

Robert Moore is a two-time All Long Island selection. He was an electric back with nifty moves and the ability to break tackles. He had 1,156 yards rushing, 226 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns for the Indians. He was a big-play threat on kicks with 311 return yards. He also played a strong safety with 86 tackles and lock-down coverage.

BILLY O'CONNOR

LB, Sayville

(5-9, 205, Jr.)

Billy O'Connor, a three-year starter, enjoyed his second Class III Long Island crown in three seasons this year. He was the glue to the Sayville defense and finished with 35 solo tackles, 42 assists, an interception and two fumble recoveries. O'Connor is a hard-hitter that reads the offense well. The sure-handed tight end also had 31 receptions for 504 yards and six touchdowns.

ANTHONY POLO

LB, Wantagh

(6-0, 220, Sr.)

Anthony Polo, a three-year starter, made a name as a tackling machine. He earned the Piner Award as Nassau's top linebacker. Polo was a part of Wantagh's Nassau Conference III title team as a sophomore and was a second-team All-Long Island pick a year ago. He made 124 tackles (85 solo) and had 28 for a loss - both school records - with four forced fumbles and an interception. He has 349 career tackles.

BRIAN POMPER

WR, St. Anthony's

(5-10, 180, Sr.)

Brian Pomper left his signature on the St. Anthony's football program when he delivered a seven-catch, 206-yard championship game performance in a one-point win over Mt. St. Michael. He became a favorite target of junior quarterback James Brady and drew double teams. He led the CHSFL in receiving yardage with 37 receptions for 882 yards, four touchdowns and a 23.8 yards per catch average.

WILL PORTER

RB, Freeport

(5-10, 175, Sr.)

Will Porter burst onto the scene and helped Freeport reach the Nassau Conference I title game. He ran for 908 yards on 107 carries, caught 14 passes for 391 yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns. He even threw a touchdown pass. Porter, a two-year starter at safety, recorded 39 tackles (26 solo) and one interception.

SAL POSILLICO

DL, East Meadow

(6-0, 245, Sr.)

Sal Posillico was runner-up to teammate John Elliott for the Martone Award, but proved to be the more well-rounded of the two. A formidable blocker on offense with 28 pancakes, he was even fiercer on defense. Posillico recorded 31 tackles, 9 for a loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an interception for the Nassau Conference I champs.

ALEX RIVAS

LB, East Meadow

(5-10, 235, Jr.)

Alex Rivas was the heavy-hitter in a talented backfield that included Chris Bright, Andrew Rubenau and Mike Tracy. Together they formed an unstoppable ground game. Rivas ran for 948 yards and 14 touchdowns on 121 carries. He was just as tough on defense for the Nassau Conference I champs. Rivas made 74 tackles, 11 for a loss, and one forced fumble.

JOE SIDARAS

QB, Floyd

(6-3, 205, Jr.)

Joe Sidaras, aka, Joey Sunshine, was a lethal combination of pass and run. A strong arm combined with nice touch enabled him to complete 87 of 124 passes for 1,492 yards, 21 touchdowns and two interceptions. His MVP performance in the Class I Long Island championship game helped the Colonials beat East Meadow, 42-20. He also rushed for 587 yards on 71 carries and seven touchdowns.

JOHNATHAN SPRUILL

DB, Bellport

(6-1, 175, Sr.)

Johnathan Spruill is the all-time leader in interceptions in Bellport history with 17. He had a Suffolk record for a single season with 11 interceptions as a junior. The man of theft also was an excellent receiver and a downfield scoring threat for the Clippers. He had 27 receptions for 722 yards and an astounding 26.7 yards per catch average and eight touchdowns.

CASEY TERRUSO

LB, Floyd

(5-10, 185, Sr.)

Casey Terruso, a three-year starter, earned the Collotta Award presented to Suffolk's best linebacker. With cat-like quickness and big-time hitting ability, Terruso finished with 61 solo tackles, 3 sacks and 3 interceptions to lead a defense that helped the Colonials capture a second straight Class I Long Island championship. He had 353 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 65 carries and added 12 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

ANDREW TILLER

OL, Central Islip

(6-5, 345, Sr.)

Andrew Tiller is a four-year varsity starter and the winner of the Zellner Award given to Suffolk's top lineman. His bench press of 350 pound and squat of more than 550 pounds enabled him to pancake many opponents. He was the key to an offensive line that cleared the way for the Musketeers to average 313 yards rushing per game. He also had 103 tackles, 12 sacks and forced the quarterback to throw early on 27 plays (hurries).

SCOTT VALLONE

DL, St. Anthony's

(6-3, 260, Jr.)

Scott Vallone was all over the St. Anthony's defensive front and a key to the Friars march to a sixth straight CHSFL AAA title. Vallone earned the defensive player of the year award in the CHSFL after he recorded 47 solo tackles, 41 assists and 13 tackles for a loss. He had six sacks for minus-41 yards and pounded opposing carriers. He is a Division I blue-chip prospect.

JAMES WITTPENN

DB, Mt. Sinai

(5-11, 185, Sr.)

James Wittpenn proved to be a threat from everywhere on the field. He rushed for 906 yards and 12 touchdowns on 124 carries. He kicked 24 of 29 extra points and nailed the game-winning 32-yard field goal in the Suffolk Division IV title game. He had 54 tackles and four interceptions, including one returned 95 yards for a touchdown. Wittpenn also had an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

ALL-LONG ISLAND COACHES

LOU ANDRE

Nassau Coach of the Year

Lawrence (10-1)

Lou Andre, 54, was one of the most respected coaches of the 1990s. He was Newsday Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1994 at Massapequa and led the Chiefs to back-to-back Long Island Class I titles in 1993-94. Fast-forward a decade. Andre engineered one of the biggest upsets in Long Island football history. One week after beating three-time champ Garden City for the Nassau Conference II title, he stunned defending champ Bellport, 28-27, for the Class II crown. Andre is 117-50-2 in 18 seasons, including the last seven at Lawrence.

PAUL LONGO

Suffolk Coach of the Year

Floyd (11-0)

Back-to-back titles and seeking a three-peat is the motto in Mastic Beach. The Colonials won the Class I Long Island title and the coveted Rutgers Trophy as Suffolk's best team for the second straight season. It was the first time that a Suffolk school earned consecutive LI titles with undefeated teams. He has Floyd on Long Island's longest winning streak at 22 games after a 42-20 victory over East Meadow for the Class I crown. Longo has led the Colonials to the LI title game in four of the past six years and his career record is 84-29 in 12 seasons.

RICH REICHERT

Catholic Coach of the Year

St. Anthony's (11-0)

This may have been the most gratifying of the Friars' six consecutive CHSFL AAA championships for Reichert. With a young core of returnees and a starting group loaded with underclassmen, he still found a way to continue to win. St. Anthony's stretched its regular-season league winning streak to 63 games and its current overall winning streak to 21 games. Reichert has a career record of 161-43-3 in 21 years, including nine CHSFL titles.

ALL-LONG ISLAND SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

QB James Brady, St. Anthony's

QB P.J. Preziosa, Lawrence

QB Mike Tracey, East Meadow

RB Miguel Maysonet, Riverhead

RB Russ Bonnano, Seaford

RB Pierre Dieudonne, Floral Park

RB John Gagliano, St. Anthony's

WR Denzal Person, Bellport

OL Billy Ferguson, Bethpage

OL Shamik Rembert, Freeport

OL Keith Goodluck, Lawrence

OL Joe Johnson, Floyd

OL Terrance Gooding, Roosevelt

All Jeremy Martinez, Bellport

All Anthony Parris, St. John the Baptist

All Joe Montemurro, Kings Park
DEFENSE

DLSean Gil, Sachem North

DLBrian Giesecke, Chaminade

DLCheyenne Ray, Bellport

DLRickoy Palmer, Brentwood

LBMike DeNapoli, Lynbrook

LBJames Prendergast, Bellport

LBKevin Hahn, Hills West

LBMatt Zaffuto, Carey

LBJames Yander, Floyd

LBSteve Ciliotta, Whitman

DB Ishmoile Mohammed, Babylon

DB Adam Ghitelman, Cold Spring Harbor

DBJustin Turri, West Islip

All Brendan Kelly, Shoreham-Wading River

AllJack Reynolds, Holy Trinity

2006 All-Long Island Football

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