Leo Lopez's big night lifts East Islip past Eastport-South Manor as Suffolk opens spring football season

Leo Lopez of East Islip leaps over Richard Stanya of Eastport-South Manor during a Suffolk League V football game in Islip Terrace on Friday. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Leo Lopez opened the first spring football season in Suffolk history with a bang.
The junior halfback rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries and scored a fourth touchdown on an interception as East Islip beat Eastport-South Manor, 55-7, in Suffolk V on Friday night at Sal Ciampi Field in Islip Terrace.
It was East Islip’s first night game in 58 years. The team played two games under the lights in 1961 and 1963.
"It was extremely cool to play under the lights for the first time in forever," coach Sal J. Ciampi said. "We have a beautiful new complex and the atmosphere was exciting. The COVID pandemic has made these challenging times. I’m happy we played well."
Lopez returned an interception 46 yards for a score on Eastport-South Manor’s first drive to give East Islip a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter.
"I had a high ankle sprain in the first game last year and missed the rest of the season," Lopez said. "This is my comeback season. I never thought my first touchdown would come on defense."
It was all about the defense for East Islip. On ESM’s second drive, senior linebacker Kody Tedone recovered a fumble at the 30. On the next play, senior quarterback Steve Stassi fired a pass to a wide-open Derek Burrell for a 30-yard touchdown and a 12-0 lead with 10:06 left.
"We’re playing the top team in the league on opening night on the road and we know we have to take care of the ball to have any chance to win," Eastport-South Manor coach Fred Stroh said. " We gave it up on our first two possessions. Not good."
East Islip went on a nine-play, 91-yard march capped by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Stassi to Ryan Ferremi to make it 18-0 with 2:00 left in the first quarter.
Stassi was 8-for-13 for 137 yards and two touchdowns. "I have some exceptional receivers and it felt really good to be back playing out here," he said. "The play calls were right on and it was a great start to the season."
ESM fans grateful. Fans from ESM were able to attend the game, and they expressed gratitude toward East Islip superintendent John Dolan, who decided to allow visiting fans.
"We had parents that wrote respectful letters to Mr. Dolan, asking for permission to attend the game," said Tracy Strauss, the mother of ESM senior lineman Alex Strauss. "He wrote back that we touched his heart and wanted us to see our boys play. My guy is a senior and we only have a few games to see him play. What a truly nice man."