Nassau Conference III football capsules

1. PLAINEDGE (12-0)

Coach: Rob Shaver, 27th year

Five key players: Shane Mosia, RB/LB, Sr.; Vincent Petzold, OL/DL, Jr.; Vincent Cavalere, WR/DB, Sr.; Anthony Gentile, 5-11, 190, WR/DB, Sr.; Joe Cassese, RB/DE, Sr.

The Red Devils: They’ve won the last two Long Island Championships (2019, 2021) and have a punishing defense, led by Mosia and Petzold. Cavalere intercepted three passes – one of which went for a touchdown – last season.

2. BETHPAGE (8-3)

Coach: Peter Zito, first year

Five key players: Nick El-Chami, OL/DL, Sr.; Anthony Falabella, OL/LB, Sr.; Will McMullen, RB/LB, Sr.; Sean Smith, QB/DB, Sr.; Joseph Miranda, FB/LB, Sr.

The Golden Eagles: They surprised some with a trip to the Nassau III finals last season. El – Chami was a soccer player until his sophomore season. One year later, he was one of the top linemen in Nassau County.

3. CAREY (5-5)

Coach: Mike Stanley, 16th year.

Five key players: William Tolliver, RB/FS, Jr.; Vin Tierney, OT/LB, Sr.; Matt Metzger, QB, Sr.; Jaden Paz, OL/DL, Sr.; Gianluca Magliaro, OL/DL, Sr.

The Seahawks: It’s their first time in Nassau III since 2001. Opponents will have to adjust to Tolliver’s speed. He’s the fastest running back in Stanley’s previous 15 seasons at Carey.

4. WANTAGH (8-2)

Coach: Keith Sachs, 30th year

Five key players: Nick Cupelli, RB/LB, Sr.; Antony Tsakos, OL/LB, Sr.; Anthony Reale, WR/S, Sr.; Jake Martini, RB/CB, Jr.; Joseph Legovich, QB, Sr.

Wantagh: They’ve made the playoffs 25 of the last 26 years and will rely heavily on a group of seniors who won the Nassau IV championship as sophomores in the spring of 2021.

5. FLORAL PARK (5-5)

Coach: Ron Pickett, sixth year

Five key players: Dennis Matich, RB/LB, Sr.; Joshua Lewis, WR/DB, Jr.; Chase McLoughlin, RB/DB, Jr.; Gerrard O’Hara, RB/LB, Sr.; Brendan O’Sullivan, RB/LB, Jr.

The Knights: Ryan Connolly will start at quarterback. The junior led Floral Park’s junior varsity to a 6-2 record last fall, throwing for 12 touchdowns and running for four.

6. DIVISION (4-5)

Coach: Rob McNamara, third year

Five key players: Jack Pendergrass, OL/LB, Sr.; Cody Brush, QB/LB, Jr.; Ray Nicholson, WR/DB, Sr.; Chris Crocitto, OL/DL, Sr.; Alfonse Pirozzi, OL/DL, Sr.

The Blue Dragons: They are coming off their first playoff appearance in six years after starting the season 3-0. Pendergrass rushed for 820 yards and five touchdowns last season, but will start at center this season to fill a team need.

7. MANHASSET (2-6)

Coach: Jay Iaquinta, fifth year

Five key players: Matt Cargiulo, QB/SS, Sr.; Jack Mullholland, OG/LB, Jr.; Chase Woodson, DT, Jr.; Cole Purcell, TE/DE, Jr.; Aiden Hanneson, LB/ SE, Jr.

Manhasset: Cargiulo threw for 500 yards, rushed for 600, and made 74 tackles on defense. Mullholland is one of the best linebackers in Nassau. He made 84 tackles last season.

8. HEWLETT (5-3)

Coach: John Palladino, sixth year

Five key players: Jadon Margulies, OL/DL, Sr.; Ariel Waldman, DB/RB, Sr.; Mekhi Jean-Baptiste, RB/DB, Jr.; Luke Rochler, LB, Jr.; John Cusumano, QB/DB, Sr.

The Bulldogs: With four returning offensive linemen, they’ll look to make up for other graduation losses with stability up front. Cusumano was the backup quarterback last season and rushed for 390 yards on 27 carries.

9. ROOSEVELT (4-4)

Coach: Joe Vito, 28th year

Five key players: Bakail Talmadge, WR/OLB, Sr.; B.J. Norman, LB/DB, Jr.; Jaliel McFadden, TE/DE, Jr.; Christian Robinson, OL/DL, Jr.; Bryan Hernandez, OL/DL, Sr.

The Rough Riders: Talmadge caught 25 passes for 253 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also made 32 tackles and had three interceptions. McFadden made 22 tackles, including four sacks.

10. VALLEY STREAM NORTH (4-5)

Coach: Mike Paolillo, third year

Five key players: Josh Lopez, RB/LB, Sr.; Sebastian Gibbons, OL/DL, Sr.; Adel Waly, WR/DB, Sr.; Ethan Smalls, OL/DL, Sr.; Nick Naumov, QB/DB, Jr.

The Spartans: Smalls is the only returner on an offensive line that figures to be anchored by Gibbons, who is very difficult to get off his spot. Naumov is a dual-threat quarterback.

11. LYNBROOK (5-3)

Coach: David Yaker, first year

Five key players: Michael Fagen, QB/FS, Sr.; Jake Lunati, OL/DL, Sr.; Michael O’Hagan, DL/OL, Sr.; Ryan Shapiro, WR/SS, Sr.; Jaylin Walker, WR/CB, Sr.

The Owls: Fagen is a dynamic playmaker who can wind up in the end zone whenever he has the ball in his hands. He’s adapted to Lynbrook’s new read-option offense very well.

12. GLEN COVE (4-4)

Coach: Steve Tripp, fourth year

Five key players: Christian St. Eloi, WR/DB, Sr.; Devon Gonzalez, RB/LB, So.; Chyaa Letellier, RB/DB, Sr.; Nigel Rodriguez, DE, Sr.; Jason Downer Jr, RB/LB, Sr.

The Big Red: They won four of their final five games last season. Gonzalez rushed for 636 yards and five touchdowns on 63 carries. St. Eloi caught 18 passes for 362 yards and five touchdowns.