Long Island high school football county semifinal games to watch, plus picks

There is a contrast in offensive styles between the football teams at Northport and North Babylon.

One will run the ball all day to punish and wear down the opponent. The other will find the right balance between the run and the pass.

The more balanced offense from Northport won the first time around. The Tigers upended North Babylon, 35-19, early this season in Suffolk Division II. Tigers quarterback Gavin O’Brien, making only his second varsity start, torched the Bulldogs secondary for 243 yards and four touchdown passes. He completed all six of his passes in the game.

North Babylon (6-3) will travel to play Northport (8-1) in a Suffolk Division II semifinal Saturday at noon.

It’s simple to find the Bulldogs' key to a win: play better in the secondary the second time around.

On the other side, Northport linebacker Charlie O’Brien and company will have their hands full with a North Babylon running game that finds itself in high gear. They are led by Long Island’s leading rusher Jack Miller, who has carried 224 times for 1,798 yards and 24 touchdowns. When it’s not Miller carrying the rock, it’s Chandler Como and TJ Shaw.

O’Brien has been outstanding, passing for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“He’s been terrific,” Northport coach Pat Campbell said. “It’s not easy to come back to play after a few years and lead the offense and make the right reads.”

NASSAU I

Massapequa vs. Port Washington, Saturday, at Hofstra, 5:30 p.m.

The three-time defending Class I champions throttled Port Washington in the regular-season opener, 42-12. They held one of the top passing games on Long Island to 224 yards and two scores. Port Washington quarterback Harry Eynon has had a spectacular season. His go-to wide receiver, Levi Felix, has 29 catches and 11 touchdowns. Eynon has thrown for 1,973 yards and 27 touchdowns. Massapequa is on a 32-game win streak.

SUFFOLK III

Islip (6-3) at Westhampton Beach (9-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

Westhampton Beach rushed for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in a 48-13 season-opening victory over Islip. Hurricanes quarterback Jake Calloway is a Hansen Award candidate and has been unstoppable through a 9-0 start. He’s rushed for 1,076 yards and 19 touchdowns and added 786 yards passing and another 11 touchdowns. Islip quarterback Jack Halpin has found his stride as the Bucs have won five of the past six games. He’s rushed for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns and passed for another 1,637 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quite the offensive matchup.

SUFFOLK I

Longwood (7-2) at Sachem North (8-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

These teams met in Week 4 and Sachem North beat up the Lions, 42-21. Longwood last reached a county final in 2022. Sachem North last reached a county final in 2023.

NASSAU II

Carey (8-1) vs. Mepham (4-5), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Don’t let the records fool you. These teams met in Week 7, and Carey escaped with a 21-14 comeback win. Mepham led 14-7 after three quarters, but Carey scored 14 fourth-quarter points for the win.

SUFFOLK III

West Islip (7-2) at East Islip (8-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

East Islip won in the regular season, 27-7. The crosstown game is one of Long Island’s most fierce rivalries. The first meeting came in 1957, and East Islip leads the all-time series 20-16-3. But it’s been all East Islip lately, winning 10 of the last 12 games.

CHSFL AAA

St. Anthony’s (6-4) at Monsignor Farrell (9-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

Farrell laid a whooping on St. Anthony’s just three weeks ago, 55-21. The Friars' defense has been awful. The offense is another story – they can score with anyone. St. Anthony’s halfback Xavier Bala broke Matt Hahn’s career rushing record and has 22 touchdowns this season. Quarterback Anthony Diieso needs to have a big game to keep pace with the Lions' offense. Farrell has won three of the last four games in the series.

NASSAU IV

Floral Park (8-1) vs. Malverne (6-3), Saturday, at Hofstra, 2 p.m.

These teams did not meet in the regular season. Floral Park has not seen an athlete like Malverne’s multi-purpose back Isaiah Smith. If the Knights contain Smith, it’s on to the championship game. He’s the difference-maker for the Mules.

NASSAU I

Farmingdale (7-2) vs. Oceanside (6-3), Sunday, at Hofstra, 10:30 a.m.

A tossup from the jump. They’ve split the last 16 games. Oceanside outscored Farmingdale in the season opener, 37-29. The Dalers will be on emotional high as the legendary career of long-time coach Buddy Krumenacker nears the end. The coach of 58 years, the last 33 at Farmingdale, will need to find a way to stop Oceanside’s scoring machine Chace Morris, who has 17 touchdowns.

NASSAU III

South Side (8-1) vs. Wantagh (8-1), Sunday, at Hofstra, 5:30 p.m.

Wantagh rolled to seven wins in a row to open the season before they were upended by South Side, 21-14, in Week 8. Wantagh, the two-time defending Nassau champions, rocks and rolls with Thorp Award winner Luke Martini, who leads Nassau in rushing yardage (1,407) and touchdowns (22). Wantagh won Nassau III in 2025 and Nassau IV in 2024. South Side won Nassau III in 2023 and was the preseason top seed.

Newsday's Andy Slawson contributed to this report.

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.