Long Island high school football games to watch in Week 4, plus picks

It felt like the high school football season ended at the euphoric conclusion of the Garden City-Massapequa game Monday night at Hofstra University. It really felt like an LIC!

Could this season get any more exciting? It probably will — there’s more to come.

“That singular game gave Long Island high school football a real boost,” said Pat Pizzarelli, the executive director of Section VIII, which oversees all Nassau school sports. “People were excited, island-wide, to see it.”

Now we get back to the rest of our regular season schedule.

There are some excellent matchups on tap for this weekend as we hit the midpoint of the season.

As the conference and divisional race develop, the focus moves to games like Northport at Half Hollow Hills East in Suffolk Division II at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Half Hollow Hills East coach Alex Marcelin has made it clear that his defense is one of the very best on LI. The RedHawks have backed up the coaches’ opinion by turning in three straight shutouts to start the season.

The RedHawks are led by tackling machine Michai Crump, who averages 12 per game.

It will be difficult to keep Northport out of the end zone. They’re led by newcomer Gavin O’Brien, an athletic quarterback, who has the Tigers off to a 3-0 start.

Dreams of an undefeated season end this week for one of these teams.

NASSAU IV

Lynbrook (2-1) at Malverne, (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

It’s a clash of two talented ground attacks. Tommy Potash leads a strong Lynbrook running game with 303 yards and six touchdowns. Isaiah Smith and Jayden Johnson are dynamic runners for Malverne.

SUFFOLK I

Bay Shore (3-0) at Whitman (1-2), Friday, 6:30 p.m.

The backfield tandem of Cato Thomas and Taylen Cole-Jenkins has the Marauders off to their best start since 1986. Don’t be fooled by the record, Whitman is a dangerous opponent. The Wildcats’ Jason Thompson is one of Long Island’s top playmakers.

SUFFOLK III

Westhampton (3-0) at East Islip (3-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

Westhampton is very athletic with quarterback Jake Calloway, halfback Nic Simone and a host of playmakers. East Islip scores with a mix of runners including Andrew Arena and Owen Madden. East Islip wins with stingy defense, allowing 15 points through its first three games, including a shutout.

SUFFOLK III

Hauppauge (2-1) at West Islip ​​​​​​(2-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

Hauppauge halfback Liam O’Connor has had at least 100 yards rushing in three straight games. West Islip has a punishing ground game with Jake Kramer leading the way. The head coaches, Hauppauge’s Chris Diesso and West Islip’s Steve Mileti, are the best of friends. You can make dinner reservations — this game will be over in less than two hours as they run, run, run.

NASSAU III

Division (1-2) at Sewanhaka(1-1), Saturday, 2 p.m.

Division defensive back/wide receiver Aiden Mirelis can take over a game. Sewanhaka’s game plan should be to put heavy pressure on quarterback Chris Ruggia and triple cover Mirelis. Sewanhaka has explosive playmakers in Justin Moreau and Amari James and has eclipsed 30 points in two of its first three games.

SUFFOLK I

Floyd (2-1) at Ward Melville (3-0), Saturday, 2 p.m.

The defending divisional champions from Ward Melville got off to slow starts and needed to come from behind in two of their three wins. The Patriots wiped out two-score deficits against Longwood and Connetquot to remain undefeated. Floyd seems to be hitting its stride after a hiccup against Sachem North two weeks ago.

Longwood (2-1) at Sachem North (3-0), Saturday, 3 p.m.

This rivalry has the makings of a classic. Sachem North quarterback Luke LaRocca looked sharp through three games, throwing for three scores in a 35-13 win over Floyd. Longwood fell apart in a 21-18 loss to Ward Melville, but the Lions have the talent to win the division.

CHSFL

St. John the Baptist (3-1) at Xavier (3-1), 1:30 p.m.

The Cougars’ front seven, led by Chris Trinca, will be tested against a physical Xavier team. Defending AA-1 champion Xavier ran for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-27 loss to St. Anthony’s last week.

St. Anthony’s (2-2) at Iona Prep (4-0), 1:30 p.m.

It’s a rematch of last season’s AAA semifinals, when St. Anthony’s lost, 42-0. The Friars will rely on Boston College commit Xavier Bala, who ran for 298 yards and four touchdowns last week. Iona Prep is the defending catholic state champions.

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.