A.J. Otranto back healthy for Floyd football
Floyd quarterback A.J. Otranto scrambles past Longwood defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor for the touchdown. (Nov. 11, 2011) Credit: George A. Faella
A.J. Otranto ran the Floyd offense this week showing no ill effects after spending the weekend in Brookhaven Hospital. Otranto was removed from last Friday night's 28-21 upset loss to Connetquot suffering from severe dehydration and taken to Brookhaven where he was kept until late Sunday afternoon.
"I was cramping up really bad throughout the second quarter," the senior quarterback said. "I was on intravenous all weekend. I have to be more aware of my hydration. I'm happy to be back and I feel great."
Floyd coach Paul Longo was also happy to see Otranto back on the field and available for Saturday's game against Sachem East.
"We need him to win," Longo said. "He makes us go. And Sachem East is an excellent team and we'll need everyone to be healthy."
Sachem East travels to Floyd for the MSG Varsity Game of the Week on Long Island. The game will air on IO Cablevision Channel 14 at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Sachem East comes into the showdown led by senior halfback Steven Casali, who had three touchdowns, including a game breaking 75-yard run in the fourth quarter of the Flaming Arrows' 41-26 win over Northport.
East Meadow at Oceanside, Friday, 7 p.m.: This Nassau I early-season barnburner is a contrast in offensive styles. East Meadow, the defending Nassau I champion, will run the ball behind Billy Andrle and its massive offensive line. The Sailors will counter with quarterback Tom Capone, who aired it out for four touchdown passes in a 13-for-17 performance for 218 yards, in a season-opening win over Valley Stream Central.
Bay Shore at Sachem North, Friday, 7:30 p.m.: If ever a team needed a bounce back win it's Bay Shore. The Marauders let a 27-point third-quarter lead slip away in a devastating 30-27 loss to Longwood. The Marauders behind quarterback Jake Sheets and wide outs McKinley Skinner and Joel Nunez can score quickly. But Sachem North is an offensive juggernaut with quarterback Trent Crossan and backs Tyler Andreassi, Malik Pierre and Anthony Ross. This one could be high scoring.
Babylon at Glenn, Friday, 7 p.m.: The two-time defending Long Island Class IV champions stumbled in the opener against upstart Hampton Bays. Babylon looks solid and may return to LIC form this season.
Freeport at Massapequa, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: This is a rebuilding season for a young Freeport team and Massapequa looked like world beaters in the season-opening win over Hicksville. Throw out the seeds when these two meet. Freeport is reeling after losing on opening day to 12th-seeded Plainview JFK.
Riverhead at West Islip, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Top-seeded Riverhead makes it way to the South Shore of the western part of Suffolk to meet a West Islip team that features a bevy of offensive stars in halfback Nick Aponte, wide receiver Ryan Wieczorek and quarterback Sam Ilario. Riverhead quarterback Ryan Bitzer threw for two scores and ran for another in a 42-0 blowout of West Babylon.
St. Anthony's at Iona Prep, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: The Friars were thumped in the opener by Bergen Catholic and get no breather here against Iona Prep. The Friars, the defending CHSFL champions, will need a solid all-around effort to avoid an 0-2 start.
