Long Island high school football games to watch and picks for Week 1

Nothing like a season-opener pitting two of the top three seeds in Suffolk Division I against each other. And that’s how we open this division in the 2025 high school football season, with the National Football Foundation Kickoff Classic. It's a fantastic matchup where No. 3 Longwood travels to play at No. 2 Ward Melville on Friday night at 7 p.m. in East Setauket.

“We return a ton of kids and for the first time in my career we’ve had the same starting quarterback two years in a row,” said Ward Melville coach Chris Boltrek. “Hudson [Philbrick] has taken over a leadership role, and everything has been good this offseason.”

Philbrick will spread the field and look for top target Joey Karpowicz and balance the offense by leaning on halfback Joe Benedetto and the run game.

Longwood is young but talented with seven underclassmen in starting positions. Kaden Reid, the Cassese Award winner, as Suffolk’s top defensive back moves to offense at halfback and wide receiver to complement junior halfback Kyon Sarwari.

“We want to own the line of scrimmage,” said Longwood coach Sean Kluber. “It’s what we preach every day. It’s our identity — we want to win the line of scrimmage and protect the football.”

The teams have split their past 12 games. Ward Melville eliminated Longwood in the Division I semifinal, 14-7.

“You have two different styles and two different brands of football, which makes it a cool matchup,” Boltrek said.

SUFFOLK I

Floyd at Sachem North, Friday, 6 p.m.

Two-time defending Suffolk I champion Floyd featured running back Ja’Quan Thomas, who led Long Island in rushing with 2,594 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024. The Colonials have won nine of the last 10 meetings between these teams but Floyd coach Paul Longo knows opening on the road against division rival Sachem North is never easy. “There is no doubt that they are well-coached, prepared and ready for us,” he said. “We’ll have to limit mistakes and play good defense.”

NASSAU I

Freeport at Massapequa, at Berner MS, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Two-time defending LIC Class I champion Massapequa has won 23 out of its last 24 games. Massapequa has beaten Freeport in the last five meetings. The two-time defending Long Island Class I champions graduated most of the starting lineup. And Freeport is just getting started with new head coach Mike McQueen. Interesting opener.

NASSAU III

Division at Manhasset, Friday, 6 p.m.

Division is expected to air it out with the strong arm of quarterback Tim Stanley this season. The Set, a perennial playoff contender, opens with a new coaching staff led by Mike Lewis.

NASSAU IV

Cold Spring Harbor at Seaford, Friday, 6 p.m.

Seaford halfback Brian Falk eclipsed 3,000 yards in his career with last week’s three-touchdown performance in a 40-7 win over West Hempstead. Cold Spring Harbor plays strong defense but will be hard-pressed to slow the Vikings running game.

SUFFOLK II

Bellport at East Islip, Friday, 6 p.m.

This is an old-school black and blue divisional rivalry. East Islip won both games last season, including the Division II quarterfinal, 35-21. Both teams are in a bit of transition after heavy graduation. This will be a good indicator of where the season goes. The all-time series is tied at 19 wins apiece.

SUFFOLK III

Half Hollow Hills West at Sayville, Friday, 6 p.m.

Sayville is the defending Suffolk II champion. The Golden Flashes have beaten the Colts in their last seven meetings, including two victories by one score last season. Rob Hoss is back as head coach at Sayville after an eight-year hiatus.

SUFFOLK III

Smithtown West at Westhampton, Friday, 6 p.m.

This game should be a thriller to open the season as No. 4 Smithtown West travels to No. 2 Westhampton Beach. A high-scoring game could occur as both of these teams can score a lot.

NON-LEAGUE CHSFL

Don Bosco, N.J. at St. Anthony’s, Friday, 7 p.m.

National powerhouse Don Bosco will test the Friars’ defense. Friars halfback Xavier Bala rushed for 170 yards and three scores on 29 carries in St. Anthony’s win last week. Don Bosco won last year’s game, 49-10.

NASSAU II

Garden City at Long Beach, at Long Beach MS, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Garden City has won a Long Island record 54 consecutive games. That is the second longest winning streak in state history. It is also the second longest current football winning streak in the United States. Garden City is 22-3 all-time against Long Beach. The Marines last win against GC came 45 years ago.

NASSAU III

Valley Stream South at Carey, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Carey won the LIC Class II title and went 12-0 in 2024. The Seahawks and junior RB/LB Justin DePietro, a Newsday All-Long Island selection as a sophomore. Look to continue those winning ways. Very tough opener for VSS.

Newsday’s Andy Slawson contributed to this story.

By Gregg Sarra

gregg.sarra@newsday.com@Gregg_Sarra

Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.