Longwood, Farmingdale Class I final features two very similar teams

Once it became apparent in the press box at Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium last Sunday that Longwood was going to win its Suffolk I title game and face Farmingdale for the Long Island championship, one observer wisecracked, "That game will be over in an hour."

An exaggeration to be sure, but one based on this unarguable truth: Farmingdale and Longwood, which will play for the Long Island Class I title at 4 p.m. Sunday at Stony Brook, are mirror images of each other.

"I think that press box comment could be right on the money," Farmingdale coach Buddy Krumenacker said. "We both want to run the football and believe in clock management as a means to an end."

This is the ninth time the Dalers are playing in the Long Island Championships, but their only victory was in 2001. "It would be nice to have a different outcome this time," said Krumenacker, who has 239 career victories and is part of this year's inaugural class of the Nassau County High School Sports Hall of Fame.

The Dalers (11-0) pulled away from unbeaten Oceanside to win their Nassau I showdown, 34-23, last week. The Sailors did a decent job on Farmingdale star running back Jordan McLune. The 5-8, 180-pound junior cashed in with three touchdowns and 118 yards, but it took 31 carries.

In McLune's breakout season, he has rushed for 1,747 yards and 31 touchdowns. That has helped the Dalers average 38.5 points per game.

"We are extremely proud of our offense, which has matured nicely over the season," Krumenacker said. "We replaced 10 of 11 starters. The offensive line has been the backbone of our success. Line play wins championships."

The Dalers' O-line is led by center Steven Dentato, tackles Chris Demers and Javier Hernandez and tight end Charlie Tomassetti, who also is one of the top edge rushers at defensive end and leads a unit that allows only 14 points per game.

"Big linemen. They run the ball a lot. They look like us," Longwood coach Jeff Cipp said. "They are undefeated for a reason."

Longwood won in two of its three previous LIC appearances but was upset in the second round of last year's playoffs as a No. 1 seed.

The Lions are 10-1 this season, but they emphatically reversed their only loss by knocking out previously unbeaten Lindenhurst, 44-14.

As usual, it was the combination of a relentless defense, which pressured Lindy quarterback Ryan Hofmann into four interceptions, including two pick-6s, and an offensive line that paved the way for Khalil Owens to run for 158 yards on 20 carries with three TDs.

"We grade out our O-line after every game, and they've been blocking really well for two years now," Cipp said. "Run blocks, combo blocks. Everybody knows what we're going to do, but they can't stop us. This late in the season, the competition is tougher. This is the culmination."

Owens has run behind a fierce line led by Matt Weiss and Anthony Lavio that has allowed him to pile up 1,440 yards and 16 touchdowns. Owens is the speedster in the backfield. Tahj Clark is more powerful and also has scored 16 touchdowns and gained 989 tough yards. Latrell Horton (250 pounds) is a force as the blocking fullback and also a hard-hitting linebacker on a unit that allows only 10 points per game.

"Khalil is a small kid [5-8, 166] with a lot of heart. He's always breaking tackles," Cipp said. "Tahj has speed and power and his blocking is unbelievable. And when Latrell gets moving at you, it's a sight."

A sight Farmingdale will embrace.

The Dalers are every bit as physical as the Lions. Krumenacker, speaking of Longwood but no doubt thinking of his own team, said, "What I see is a very physical football team both offensive and defensively."

On Sunday, one mirror will crack.