Bethpage-Manhasset a titanic-like matchup

Two schools without any recent history between them but whose past includes two genuine A-list Long Island football legends, will get the Friday Night Football live spotlight this week.

Bethpage, coached for 56 years by the late Howie Vogts, who won a state-record 364 games, hosts Manhasset, former home to Jim Brown, the Syracuse All-American and Cleveland Browns All-Pro running back, at 7 o'clock Friday night in the MSG Varsity featured game of the week.

You can watch the game live at 7 p.m. by clicking here.

Until last season, Manhasset (1-1) was a Nassau IV school and did not play against Bethpage (2-0) of Nassau III. But the Indians moved up in class last year and will try to slow down the old-school wishbone run by coach Erwin Dill, Vogt's longtime assistant.

The Golden Eagles are soaring after a 37-19 upset of top-seeded Lawrence last week. Danny Chillianis and Justin Rohr lead the clock-killing ground game that also routed Roslyn, 44-14, in Week 1.

Manhasset has played the same two teams as Bethpage, losing to Lawrence, 35-0, in Week 1 but rebounding with a convincing 49-8 triumph over Roslyn last week as Kevin Overlander threw for 139 yards, far more than we can expect Bethpage to throw for Friday night.

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Freeport (2-0) at Oceanside (2-0), Nassau I, Friday, 7 p.m.: Isaiah Barnes and Jere Brown are starring for Freeport, and the defending Long Island champions have looked ironclad early. But Oceanside is Freeport's toughest test to date. John Grassi has four touchdown passes and Justin Buckley has rushed for three touchdowns and caught another. Two tough offenses going head-to-head here.

West Islip (2-0) at Sachem North (2-0), Suffolk I, Friday, 7 p.m.: West Islip has adjusted well to being back in Division I, but the Flaming Arrows may have too much firepower, led by the Crossan brothers. Tailback Dalton and quarterback Trent totaled six touchdowns and 365 yards rushing last week.

Half Hollow Hills West (2-0) at Riverhead (2-0), Suffolk II, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Love offense? You'll love this one. Hills West features explosive running quarterback Devante McFarlane (421 yards, seven touchdowns), and the Blue Waves have scored 83 points in their first two victories.

Carey (1-1) at Elmont (2-0), Nassau II, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: Carey suffered a shocking 14-7 loss to Mepham last week and is looking to rebound. Mike Locicero has thrown for two touchdowns and rushed for two more. Elmont hasn't allowed a point, while scoring 51, led by Kyle Johnson and Ben Odugbesan.

Islip (1-1) at Comsewogue (2-0), Suffolk III, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Islip looks to bounce back after losing to Sayville but it won't be easy against the upstart Warriors, who own victories over Bellport and Eastport-South Manor and are led by running back Anthony Marone.

Seaford (1-1) at Locust Valley (2-0), Nassau IV, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: The 44-game conference winning streak is over for Seaford, following last week's 28-20 loss to West Hempstead. Locust Valley is hot, and has numerous weapons. Four players scored touchdowns in each victory.

Lawrence (1-1) at Hewlett (2-0), Nassau III, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: Lawrence was stunned by Bethpage, 37-19, last week, but the program's passing game matches up well with Hewlett, also a big-play team.

Wyandanch (0-2) at Mercy (0-2), Suffolk, IV, Friday, 7 p.m.: One team will get a rare victory under the lights. Mercy's Patrick Stepnoski ran for a career-high 236 yards and five TDs last week.

Stepinac (2-0) vs. Kellenberg (0-2), CHSFL, 7 p.m. Friday, Hofstra:The Firebirds attempt to correct the ship against the team that defeated them in the Class AA final last season.

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