Nassau Conference III football games to watch

Jerone Pettus, who graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2000 and won the Thorp Award his senior year, devotes his time to the kids. Pettus set a Long Island rushing record at Roosevelt before playing three seasons at Wisconsin (310 yards, two TDs). After college, he coached Roosevelt’s junior varsity football team for nearly 10 years. He now teaches physical education at Alden Terrace School in the Elmont school district.

Fans at Mineola’s red and black turf facility watched the Mustangs claim three of their seven wins at home last season. A mural of mustangs behind the visiting sideline provides fans with a warm reminder of the school’s graceful mascot.

The Division marching band won first at the New York State Field Band Conference Championships among schools in the Small School III division. The school’s cheerleading team also is one of the best on Long Island and finished second in Nassau last season among Small Varsity Division II schools.

The Floral Park’s Knight mascot is a staple for the team’s home games, which this year include  Glen Cove, Clarke, Roosevelt and South Side.

Rob Shaver has built the standard for Nassau Conference III football over the last 27 years. Shaver’s Red Devils teams have won the last four Nassau championships, two of the last three Long Island Championships and gone 54-4 over the last five years.

Shaver graduated from Island Trees in 1987 and started his coaching career there  in 1992. In high school, he wrestled and  finished second in the county at 167 pounds. He was also an All-Conference tight end.