Bayport-Blue Point vs. Seaford: May the best running game win!

Last season, Bayport-Blue Point football coach Michael Zafonte and his players held a team breakfast the morning of Thanksgiving. A few days later, the Phantoms became Long Island champions.

“It’s a different feeling going out to practice that morning, knowing that there are probably only three other teams in Suffolk going out to practice,” Zafonte said.

His team has continued the tradition this season, sharing what they were thankful for, from players to coaches. But can history completely repeat itself on Saturday?

Bayport-Blue Point (11-0) will be seeking its second straight Long Island title when it faces Seaford (10-1) in the Class IV championship game at 4:30 p.m. at Stony Brook University.

The Phantoms, who won their first Long Island title last year, are looking to extend their winning streak to 23 games. Seaford is searching for its first Long Island title since 2017.

Bayport-Blue Point’s Danny Aiello has the fourth-most rushing yards (1,538 on 125 carries) on Long Island and has 23 rushing touchdowns. Paired with quarterback Maclin Keyser, who recovered from a broken finger and has rushed for 744 yards and 13 touchdowns, the Phantoms have a fearsome running attack.

“When they’re both in the backfield, you don’t know who’s running it,” Zafonte said. “They make our offense very dynamic.”

Aiello also makes the Phantoms’ defense dynamic. He had a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown in last week’s Suffolk Class IV championship game as the Phantoms earned a 49-14 victory over Shoreham-Wading River. Aiello leads the team in tackles for a loss, according to Zafonte, and also returns punts and kickoffs.

Zafonte had no issues sharing his feelings about Aiello’s importance, calling him “the best player in Suffolk County.”

“I’ve never coached an athlete like him, a football player like him, and I’ve been at Bayport for 25 years,” Zafonte said. “He’s the best football player to ever walk the halls.”

Bayport-Blue Point has scored at least 35 points in all but three of its games this season, but the Phantoms will face their toughest matchup yet against a Seaford defense that allows only 6.6 points per game.

Seaford coach Michael Corcoran said the fundamentals will be a key to the Vikings’ success.

“Playing aggressive, making sure we tackle and get off blocks, it’s going to be fundamentals that win the game,” Corcoran said. “We’re going to do what we’re going to do.”

Senior Aidan Calvacca (166 carries, 1,164 yards, 13 TDs) and sophomore Brian Falk (153 carries, 1,315 yards, 16 TDs) have totaled 2,479 yards and 29 touchdowns on 319 carries.

“They’ve got a great relationship,” Corcoran said. “Aidan came in as a returning All-County player and obviously the guy. But Brian just kept playing better and better and definitely provided more than we even expected . . . They’re a good tandem.”

Both teams emphasize defense and the running game. Which will execute better Saturday?

“I think they’re the best team we’re going to see all year, and I think we’re the best team they’re going to see all year,” Corcoran said. “It’s just going to come down to who makes plays.”