Defense key in East Meadow-Freeport clash
East Meadow High School quarterback #12 Dylan Curry scrambles for a first down in the fourth quarter of a Nassau County Conference I varsity football game. (Oct. 15, 2011) Credit: James Escher
Two of Long Island's most explosive offensive units collide on the MSG Varsity game of the week when East Meadow travels to Freeport for a Nassau I football game at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
East Meadow's star halfback Robbie Healey and pass-efficient quarterback Dylan Curry have been unstoppable on the way to a 6-0 record. Healey has 876 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.
Freeport, the two-time defending Long Island Class I champion is also 6-0, and will counter with quarterback Isaiah Barnes and a slew of talent, including Maurice Irby, Jere Brown and Evan Lapice. Most expect a shootout but the feeling here is the defense will take over and make this a nail-biter. The game can be seen on Cablevision iO Ch. 14 at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Roosevelt (5-1) at Seaford (3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.: Roosevelt hasn't beaten Seaford since 2006 -- six straight losses. Can HB Erin Parker, Nassau's leading rusher, lead them to a victory. Seaford has lost three games by a total of 16 points.
Mount Sinai (5-1) at Babylon (4-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: These are the two stingiest defenses in Suffolk IV. Mustangs QB Austin Kay has led a balanced offense.
Half Hollow Hills West (3-3) at Newfield (3-3), Friday, 6 p.m.: There's a lot at stake in this one, as the loser might find itself shut out of the eight-team playoff bracket in Suffolk II. It's all about Newfield's defense trying to stop Colts explosive quarterback Devante McFarlane.
Bellport (3-3) at Miller Place (4-2), Saturday, 2 p.m.:Can the Clippers bounce back from a 41-0 loss to Sayville in Suffolk III? The return of injured QB Justin Honce would be a boost. Miller Place QB Matt Hinchy has the Panthers in contention for a first-round home playoff game.
Deer Park (4-2) at Hills East (3-3), Saturday, 2:30 p.m.:Both teams can score, but the Falcons' defense is led by linebacker Vinny Vitale and could be the difference in Suffolk II. In this balanced league, this is another game with playoff implications.
Garden City (6-0) at Carey (4-2), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.:Garden City will be tested by a Carey program that is one of the few that has had some success against the Trojans in recent years. Garden City and linebacker Patric Berkery boasts Long Island's top defense, allowing 28 points through six games.
Lynbrook (5-1) at Lawrence (5-1), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.:Lynbrook closes the season at Lawrence, during the Tornadoes' Homecoming, and against undefeated Bethpage. That's a tough schedule. This week offers a shootout as the Owls' Luke Spitzer and Rocco Scibelli will look to outscore the Fredericks brothers (Ryan and Tyler) and sophomore QB Joe Capobianco in Nassau III.
