High school football county championship preview
Farmingdale No. 40 Kevin Eversley, left, takes a handoff from quarterback No. 9 Anthony Burriesci and rushes for a 9-yard touchdown in the second quarter of a Nassau football Conference I semifinal against East Meadow at Hofstra University on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Credit: James Escher
Eight county titles will be decided this week in football. Only one championship matchup boasts two undefeated teams. Oceanside meets Farmingdale in Nassau Conference I on Saturday at 4 p.m. The two did not meet during the season and it's the first time since 1991 that teams with perfect records will meet for a Nassau crown.
Farmingdale (10-0) has pushed opponents around with dynamic halfback Jordan McLune, who has 27 touchdowns and an athletic offensive line. Oceanside rides its 10-game win streak on the able arm and legs of quarterback Vinny Guarino, who has passed for 17 scores.
"They're a ground and pound team and we're more of a wide open spread offense," said Oceanside coach Rob Blount, who guided the Sailors to 10 wins for the first time in the school's 91-year history. "We both play real good defense. Our conference goes seven deep with good teams. I know we shocked people down the stretch. Last year, we lost the close games, this year we're winning them."
All four Nassau title games will be played at Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University. The four Suffolk championship games will be held at LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University.
All the Suffolk pairings share a common theme, pitting a once beaten club against an undefeated one. All four one-loss teams might have some revenge in mind. "It makes for a greater sense of motivation," East Islip coach Sal J. Ciampi said. "It's an opportunity to go out and prove you're the better team. You get that second chance in the biggest game of the year."
East Islip meets Sayville for the Suffolk III title on Sunday at 4 p.m. The Golden Flashes beat East Islip, 49-17, in Week 6 and rolled through the division to a 10-0 mark. Quarterback Jack Coan has been good on the run and in the air. He's thrown for 34 TDs and run for another 11.
For Sayville to win, the defense, led by linebacker Liam Bailey, will have to halt the long, clock-eating drives.
East Islip (9-1) needs to contain Coan, who was explosive in the first meeting, totaling 449 all-purpose yards. He rushed for 309 yards and two touchdowns, including an 84-yarder up the middle of the field. He also passed for 140 yards and threw for three scores.
Seaford vs. Locust Valley, Thursday night, 7 p.m.: Seaford (9-1) lost 33-20 to Locust Valley earlier this season in Nassau IV. It was the Falcons (10-0) toughest game of the season, winning every other game by at least three touchdowns.
Glenn vs. Shoreham-Wading River, Thursday night, 7 p.m.: Shoreham-WR (10-0), is the only defending Long Island champion still standing, winning Class IV a year ago. The Wildcats are on a 22-game win streak. They beat Glenn (9-1), 21-6, in Suffolk IV this year.
Wantagh vs. MacArthur, Friday, 7 p.m.: Both teams are 8-2 and unpredictable. MacArthur ousted Carey, two-time defending Class II champ, by a 29-15 score last week. And Wantagh knocked off previously unbeaten and top-seeded Garden City, 18-13. MacArthur beat Wantagh, 38-21, in theseason opener although it probably means little 10 weeks later.
Half Hollow Hills West vs. Newfield, Friday, 7 p.m.: Hills West (9-1) watched Alexander Filacouris return the opening kickoff 90 yards against Newfield but the Wolverines still went on to a 41-13 road romp. "Hills West is an excellent team," said Newfield coach Joe Piccininni, who led Newfield to its first 10-win season in the school's 58-year history. "We're playing it one down at a time. We were 3-6 last year and we'll look past no one. We're looking at what's right in front of us."
Glen Cove vs. Plainedge, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.: Plainedge (10-0) averages 53 points per game and Glen Cove (9-1) averages 41 ppg. Plainedge beat the Big Red, 38-32, in the season opener. Get your track shoes on!
Longwood vs. Lindenhurst, Sunday, noon: Lindenhurst (10-0) physically dominated Longwood (9-1), 26-7, in Week 5. The Bulldogs were up four touchdowns early in the second quarter and took their foot off the gas. Very windy conditions could affect the passing game Sunday and give the vaunted Longwood running game the edge.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
