Long Island football's Gridiron Greats: Playoff edition
Bellport RB Donte Phillips powers his way over the goal line for the touchdown against North Babylon, in the Suffolk Div. II quarterfinals, Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Bellport High School. Credit: George A Faella
ANTHONY BYRON, Baldwin
He had 27 carries for 173 yards in a 20-8 win over Freeport. He also had an interception.
CHRIS CARSON, Lindenhurst
He rushed for 104 yards on 10 carries, had three receptions for 60 yards and a score in a 28-27 win over Smithtown West. He had two INTs, including a 43-yard Pick Six.
MATT DIEGUEZ, Chaminade
He was 10-for-15 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns, including a 20-yard score to Pat Bruno on the final play of a 19-17 CHSFL AAA playoff win over Kellenberg.
DYLAN HARRIS, Floyd
He rushed for 115 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries in a 45-8 win over Sachem East.
JACQUE LAPRARIE, Smithtown West
He had 14 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-27 loss to Lindenhurst.
NICHOLAS LA ROSA, North Shore
He rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries in a 51-14 win over Clarke.
WILL MCMULLEN, Bethpage
He rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score in a 48-14 win over Floral Park.
JACK MELORE, Smithtown West
He caught 16 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-27 loss to Lindenhurst. He broke the Long Island record for receptions in a season with 69.
JUSTIN MILES, Bellport
He passed for 116 yards and a score and rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-32 win over North Babylon.
DOMINIC NOVELLO, Mepham
He scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with one second remaining in a 14-7 win over MacArthur. He finished with 182 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
DONTE PHILLIPS, Bellport
He rushed for 202 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns in a 49-32 win over North Babylon.
JOE’LL SPAGNUOLO, Miller Place
He ran for 246 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries in a 35-28 win over Shoreham-Wading River.
DANTE TORRES, St. Anthony’s
He completed 19 of 20 passes for 369 yards and five touchdowns in a 57-34 win over Christ the King. Torres also rushed for two scores.
KYLE WEEKS, Kings Park
He ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries and completed all nine of his passes for 125 yards and a score in a 42-21 win over Mount Sinai.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
