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Riverhead's Maysonet is the total package

BY BOB HERZOG | bob.herzog@newsday.com

September 14, 2008

If it happened in a real game, the video would be a YouTube hit among Long Island high school football fans. As it is, the 99-yard run by Riverhead's Miguel Maysonet against Floyd in a scrimmage on Sept. 2 has become the stuff of suburban legend.

Blue Waves coach Lief Shay doesn't mind perpetuating that legend. Here's his description: "He bounced off two people. He put his hand down once [to keep his balance]. Then he put his hand down again. The line gave him a yard; he got 98 yards on is own. It was an amazing run. It's one of those runs that makes you shake your head and go wow!"

The fact that the run came against three-time defending Long Island Class I champion Floyd added even more luster. But, obviously, there's more to Maysonet's resume than a meaningless run in a scrimmage.

The 5-10, 190-pound senior is one of the best returning players on the Island, a two-way star for the top-seeded team in Division II and a leading candidate for the Hansen Award as Suffolk's top player. Maysonet rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns last season and also made 65 tackles from his outside linebacker spot.

He's not only the toughest guy to tackle; he's the toughest tackler. "One of the hardest hitters on the team," Shay said. "He's a complete player."

Maysonet's offensive skill set has dazzled several Division I colleges, Western Michigan and Syracuse among them. One coach at Western Michigan told Shay Maysonet would immediately become one of that university's best running backs.

What's most impressive is not his speed and not his strength -- both great -- but his incredible elusiveness. "He has such great balance and he never takes a hit square," Shay said.

Maysonet said the shifty part of his game "just came naturally. I never had to work on it." But he hasn't stopped working on the other aspects, including his conditioning. He thrives on being an iron man. "I do not like coming off the field. Not at all. I don't want a break."

Given his flashy offensive prowess, you'd think running the ball is what motivates Maysonet most. Not necessarily. "I'm growing into liking defense even more than offense," Maysonet said.

His coach needs no convincing to leave him on the field. "He's exceptional at both positions," Shay said. "To be honest, he'd sneak out on the field if I tried to take him out of the game."

Oh, and about that 99-yard run. We've finally found a flaw. "After I broke five tackles, I was tired," Maysonet admitted.