L.I. players sweep MSGV awards
Farmingdale's QB Sal Tuttle goes deep against Freeport's defense during a Conference I Championship game . (Nov. 21, 2009) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
It was quite a weekend on Long Island.
Not only were four defending county champions defeated in the same weekend for the first time, but L.I. players earned the MSG Varsity Tri-State defensive and offensive player of the week awards.
MSG VARSITY TRI-STATE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Zach Naja, a defensive end for Smithtown West, sparked the Bulls’ 12-0 upset of North Babylon in Suffolk Division II. Naja blocked a punt and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, meaning he accounted for all of Smithtown West’s points. North Babylon had been ranked No. 23 in the MSG Varsity Tri-State Top 25.
MSG VARSITY TRI-STATE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Sal Tuttle, a quarterback for Farmingdale (pictured above), helped the Dalers outlast Freeport, 42-39, in a thrilling Nassau Conference I shootout. Tuttle, who will play lacrosse at Hofstra, threw for 213 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner with 35 seconds left. He also ran for 170 yards and a touchdown. Freeport had been ranked No. 13 by MSG Varsity.
Both awards will be announced on Tuesday night by Mike Quick on “A Quick :60" at 8 p.m. on MSG Varsity (Cablevision Channel 14).
