2007 All-Long Island Football

BY GREGG SARRA | gregg.sarra@newsday.com

December 16, 2007

A look at Long Island's best football players from the 2007 season.

JOE SIDARAS
QB, Floyd (6-3, 210, Sr.)

What can you say about the quarterback who ran perhaps the most prolific offense in Long Island history? Sidaras, known as Joey Sunshine for his happy demeanor and relentless pursuit of the perfect game plan, had a 22-0 record as the starting quarterback for the Colonials. Sidaras threw for 1,304 yards and 19 touchdowns this season as he completed 76 of his 102 attempts. In his career, Sidaras threw for 2,796 yards and 40 touchdowns and also rushed for 733 yards and eight scores. Sidaras is a two-time All-Long Island selection.

VIN ACQUAVITA
OL, East Islip (5-11, 210, Sr.)

Acquavita was the anchor of an offensive line that helped the Redmen rush for more than 3,500 yards. Former East Islip coach Sal Ciampi said of Acquavita, "He may go down as the best center in the history of East Islip ." Acquavita had 78 tackles (20 for loss), six sacks, and returned two fumbles for touchdowns as a defensive end.

MALCOLM BROWN
RB, Islip (5-11, 170, Sr.)

Brown led the Buccaneers to their first Long Island Class III title by rushing for 1,230 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also had 10 receptions for 264 yards. As a defensive back, Brown had 53 tackles, six pass breakups, and three interceptions. He had 230 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in his career. Brown's slick running style enabled him to rush for more than 100 yards in eight games.

JAMES BRADY
QB, St. Anthony's (5-11, 190, Sr.)

Brady, the Catholic League's offensive player of the year, led St. Anthony's to two straight CHSFL championships. He had a 21-1 record as a starter. Brady completed 64 per cent of his passes for 1,480 yards and nine touchdowns. He ran the triple option to near perfection and added another 686 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns. "He's a leader in every sense of the word," said St. Anthony's coach Rich Reichert. "He carried us through some very tough spots. He was great."

JORDANY DIEUJUSTE
OL, Patch-Medford (6-2, 262, Sr.)

Dieujuste became the fourth Zellner Award winner as Suffolk's top lineman in Patchogue-Medford history. Dieujuste had 45 solo tackles, including eight for a loss, and three sacks. He also forced two fumbles on the defensive line. Patchogue coach James Chiarello said Dieujuste moved people off the ball consistently all season. "He emerged as a key in an offense that liked to move the ball on the ground," Chiarello said.

AUSTEN FLETCHER
OL, St. Anthony's (6-2, 285, Sr.)

Fletcher, a three-year starter for powerhouse St. Anthony's and a two-time All-CHSFL selection, was the anchor of the Friars' talented offensive line. Fletcher, the team captain, started 33 consecutive games and won three CHSFL titles. His quickness downfield helped open big plays. He averaged more than six pancake blocks per game. He follows in the footsteps of older brother Alex Fletcher, a second team All-PAC-10 selection at Stanford this year.

MARCUS GARDNER
All-Purpose, Amityville (5-9, 180, Sr.)

Gardner was a sensational player who put his game in another gear during the playoffs to lead Amityville to the Long Island Class IV championship. Gardner scored the winning touchdown on a mad fourth- down, fourth-quarter dash from nine yards out to give the Warriors the Suffolk Division IV crown over Babylon. He finished with 1,420 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. He also passed for 702 yards and six scores.

BROCK JACKOLSKI
RB, Floyd (5-10, 185, Sr.)

Jackolski, a two-time All-Long Island selection, punctuated a phenomenal three-year varsity career, with a record 10 touchdowns in the Long Island Class I championships. He earned the Hansen Award given to Suffolk's top player. He rushed for 1,381 yards on 129 carries and scored 31 touchdowns. He finished his career with 3,601 yards and 52 touchdowns on the ground as Floyd won three straight Class I titles. Jackolski also totaled 54 receptions for 890 yards and eight scores and had 66 career touchdowns. Jackolski made 236 tackles, forced 10 fumbles and recovered four. "Brock had a nose for the ball," Floyd coach Paul Longo said. "He was always in on the play." Jackolski also had eight interceptions.

JOE JOHNSON
OL, Floyd (5-11, 250, Sr.)

Johnson was a two-year starter at center for the Colonials. He made all the line calls and anchored an offensive line that allowed only one sack the entire season. Coach Paul Longo credited Johnson's off season workouts and leadership with enabling Floyd to replace three starters on the O-Line. "He's the best center we've ever had here," said Longo. Johnson was a second-team All-Long Island selection last season. He was a big-time run blocker and a rock as a pass protector.

LUKE NAWROCKI
TE, Chaminade (6-3, 230, Sr.)

Nawrocki was the only two-way starter for the Flyers. As a tight end he had 43 receptions for 565 yards and one score. He was also a devastating blocker. As a defensive end, Nawrocki led the team in tackles with 86 and had five sacks. He earned the CHSFL's lineman of the year award and was named the National Football Foundation's top scholar athlete. He will attend the University of Pennsylvania.

P.J. PREZIOSA
QB, Lawrence (6-0, 185, Sr.)

Preziosa led Lawrence to two consecutive Nassau Conference II titles, won the Rutgers Cup as a junior and earned the Snyder Award given to Nassau's top quarterback as a junior. The two-time All-County selection completed 89 of 130 passes for 1,615 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior. He rushed 65 times for 448 yards and 10 touchdowns. Preziosa had tremendous touch on his throws and the ability to avoid a heavy rush and find running room as Lawrence averaged 35 points per game this season. He was 21-1 as a starting quarterback over the past two years. In his brilliant four-year varsity career, he passed for 4,995 yards and 59 touchdowns.

STEVE PROBST
QB, Farmingdale (6-3, 210, Sr.)

Probst had the courage to play with a severe leg injury that hampered his tough running style through the Nassau Conference I playoffs. The winner of the Snyder Award given to Nassau's top quarterback, Probst led the Dalers to the Conference I championship and the Rutgers Cup, presented to Nassau's top team. In eight games, the two-year captain passed for 861 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 702 yards and 10 scores, including a five-touchdown performance against Freeport.

EVAN RUSSELL
OL, Plainview (6-1, 270, Sr.)

Russell was a three-year starter on the offensive line and paved the way for a unit that rushed for 2,552 yards. For his effort, he was named the Martone Award winner as Nassau's top lineman. The outstanding drive blocker was credited with 39 pancake blocks in his senior year. His ability to move well and create havoc up front enabled him to make 31 tackles, including nine for a loss and four sacks.

WILL SLINKOSKY
WR, Sachem North (5-9, 175, Sr.)

Slinkosky earned the Dragon Award as Suffolk's top receiver after he grabbed 51 passes for 718 yards and seven touchdowns. The sticky-fingered wideout rarely dropped a pass and scored in five of eight games this season. His ability to find the open seam and beat man coverage helped him become Sachem's all-time leading receiver. He averaged 14 yards per catch. He had nine receptions, 100 yards and a score against Floyd, the three-time division champion.

ROB CALABRESE
All-Purpose, East Islip (6-2, 210, Sr.)

Calabrese had the kind of season every kid dreams about. The two-time All-County selection won his second conseuctive Boomer Esiason Award as Suffolk’s top quarterback. He set school records for a career in passing yardage with 3,992, and touchdowns with 34. Calabrese completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns with three interceptions this season. He was also a big-time threat running the ball, contributing 772 yards on the ground with eight scores. The physical Calabrese added 41 tackles and four interceptions from his safety position.

CLARMELL BETTS
DB, Whitman (5-10, 185, Sr.)

Betts burst onto the scene and helped Whitman regain some football pride in a program that is on the upswing. Betts rushed for 1,035 yards on 135 carries and 10 touchdowns. The speedy halfback caught 20 passes for 215 yards and a score. He also averaged 39.5 yards per punt and had 56 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery that he returned 80 yards for a score.

ANTHONY BISCARDI
LB, Wantagh (5-9, 175, Sr.)

Biscardi, a three-year starter, emerged as the go-to guy for the Wantagh offense. He amassed 1,784 yards from scrimmage, scored 19 touchdowns and was named a finalist for the coveted Thorp Award. Biscardi led Wantagh to an unbeaten regular season record and the No. 1 one seed in the playoffs. The Warriors' captain also led the defense from the safety position.

EDGAR CESAR
LB, Islip (5-10, 210, Sr.)

Cesar was an unassuming, undersized linebacker when Islip's magical season began. It didn't take long for Cesar to establish himself as one of Long Island's big hitters. He was the rock in the middle of an Islip defense that pounded its way to the Long Island Class III championship. Cesar finished with 92 tackles, including eight for a loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. "He emerged as a big-time player," said Islip coach Jamie Lynch.

DENNIS DRYWA
LB, East Islip (5-9, 180, Sr.)

Drywa was a tackling machine for a defense that allowed only 63 points in 11 games. He had 141 tackles including 15 for loss and three interceptions. Drywa had an astonishing 271 career tackles (27 for loss) and eight interceptions. As a fullback this season Drywa rushed for 547 yards, had 22 receptions for 411 yards, and scored eight touchdowns.

RAMEL EPPS
DL, Freeport (6-1, 265, Sr.)

Epps was a fierce leader and an extremely talented two-way lineman for the Red Devils. He was an excellent run blocker and equally skilled at protecting the quarterback. Epps also had 30 tackles, including 18 solos, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.

KEITH GOODLUCK
DL, Lawrence (6-3, 310, Sr.)

Goodluck was a force in the middle of the Lawrence defense for the past two years. The two-time All-Nassau selection had 70 tackles, including 30 for a loss, and six sacks this season. The massive run stopper also added two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. "He can move real well for a big guy," said Lawrence coach Lou Andre. Goodluck had 14 sacks and 45 tackles for a loss in his career.

REY MARCANO
LB, Floyd (5-9, 180, Sr.)

Marcano was a fierce tackler for a team that allowed a Suffolk low 62 points in 11 games on its way to the Class I title. He was a two-year starter for the Colonials, who allowed only 143 yards per game over two years. This season he had 66 tackles, (two for a loss), four sacks, five forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Marcano was such a disruptive force that opposing coaches rarely ran at him.

TIM MOLLER
DB, East Islip (5-11, 188, Sr.)

Moller had perhaps the greatest season of any player in East Islip history. He rushed for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns, and caught 31 passes for six more touchdowns. But it was on defense that he made his true mark as Moller had 105 tackles, seven sacks and three interceptions, one that he returned for a touchdown. Moller scored a school-record 19 touchdowns this season. He had a Long Island championship game record, 97-yard scoring run in the 35-7 win over Lawrence.

BILLY O'CONNOR
LB, Sayville (5-10, 224, Sr.)

O'Connor had a career second to none in Sayville. The two-time All-Long Island selection earned the Collotta Award as Suffolk's top linebacker after he compiled 67 tackles, including 52 solos, five sacks, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. O'Connor was a four-year varsity starter and a three-time All-County selection. The hard-hitting linebacker was a sideline-to-sideline presence for the Golden Flashes' defense. He was also a talented tight end, who had 29 receptions for 579 yards and seven touchdowns this year.

RICKOY PALMER
LB, Brentwood (5-11, 225, Sr.)

Palmer was a hammer on both sides of the ball. The hard-running halfback had 1,009 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He was a three-time starter and a two-time All-County selection. He moved from nose tackle to linebacker and recorded 35 solo tackles and six sacks. "He was so strong in the middle and teams were forced to run away from him," said Brentwood coach Steve Perretta.

ALEX RIVAS
LB, East Meadow(5-10, 230, Sr.)

The powerful Rivas took home all the hardware this year. He earned the Thorp Award given to Nassau's top player after he led East Meadow to the Nassau Conference I playoffs with 1,013 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. He led East Meadow to the Nasssau championship in 2006 and after 36 seniors graduated was left as the lone starter on offense. The Jets rode his broad shoulders into the playoffs in 2007 before losing to conference champion Farmingdale. Rivas benched 275 pounds for 15 reps, and it was that strength that helped him battle his way through offensive lines to make 93 tackles. He also earned the National Football Foundation's top scholar athlete award in Nasssau.

TERRELL WILLIAMS
DB, Hempstead (5-9, 170, Jr.)

Williams was the only junior selected to the 2007 All-Long Island team. He rushed for 1,066 yards on 98 carries for a 10.9 average. He scored 178 touchdowns and scored 114 points. He returned three kickoffs for scores - from 83, 85 and 91 yards. Williams moved around on defense between linebacker and safety. He totaled 77 tackles, including 39 solos, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

SCOTT VALLONE
DL, St. Anthony's (6-3, 260, Sr.)

Vallone, a two-time All-Long Island selection, was a major cog for St. Anthony's which won the CHSFL title for the seventh year in a row. Vallone's quickness and ball instinct allowed the Friars' coaches to move him all over the defense to make big plays. He finished the season with 71 tackles, including 16 for a loss, and eight sacks as the CHSFL's defensive player of the year. He accepted a full scholarship to play at Rutgers in the fall.

COACHES OF THE YEAR

SUFFOLK: Sal J. Ciampi

Ciampi fulfilled a life-long dream by leading the Redmen to a perfect season (11-0) and the Long Island Class II title. Ciampi grew up in the program, as a standout quarterback, and then an assistant coach for six years before succeeding his father as head coach in 2001. Ciampi has a career record of 44-21 with five playoff appearances and three appearances in the Division II finals. His team averaged more than 400 yards of offense per game as the Redmen went undefeated for the first time since 1982.

NASSAU: Buddy Krumenacker

Despite losing his quarterback for two playoff games, Krumenacker still led the Dalers to their fifth Nassau Conference I crown and seventh appearance in the title game in his 15 years as their coach. His Farmingdale teams have won one Long Island title and captured this season's Rutgers Cup. Overall, Krumenacker has been a head coach for 26 years at Farmingdale and Hempstead. He has a career record of 176-60-11 and has won 10 Conference I titles, five Rutgers Cups and one Long Island title.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

Mike Lagalante, Holy Trinity QB Sr.

Tashawn Arthur, Farmingdale RB Sr.

Zach Fisher, Patchogue-Medford RB Jr.

Travis Kennedy, Lawrence RB Sr.

Miguel Maysonet, Riverhead RB Sr.

Mike Parrish, Longwood RB Sr.

Trevor Perryman, Newfield TE Sr.

Steven Murphy, Floyd WR Jr.

Mike Sapraicone, Seaford WR Sr.

Conrad Stewart, Lawrence WR Sr.

Brett Thom, MacArthur WR Sr.

Mike Henry, East Islip OL Sr.

Tom Lindley, Floyd OL Jr.

Jordy Paulemon, Brentwood OL Sr.

Sean Moller, East Islip K So.

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

Alex Fernan, West Islip DL Sr.

Tom Piccirillo, Calhoun DL Sr.

Dennis Carter, H. Hollow Hills West LB Sr.

Rashad Cureton, Holy Trinity LB Sr.

Matt Degasperi, Bellport LB Sr.

Eugene Horan, Newfield LB Sr.

Reggie Robinson, Amityville LB Sr.

James Tripodi, Connetquot LB Sr.

Ricky Kruger, Floyd LB Sr.

J.B. Andreassi, St. Anthony's DB Sr.

Jovan Finch, Baldwin DB Sr.

Craig Geoghan, Sachem North DB Jr.

Justin Fredericks, Lawrence DB Sr.

Brendan Kelly, Shoreham-Wading River ALL Sr.

Kevin Glueckert, Bethpage ALL Jr.

2007 All-Long Island Football

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