Nassau II football preview: Elmont’s Chester Anderson reaches for the sky

Chester Anderson has bold aspirations.

“I want 2,000 yards,” he said.

Elmont’s 5-10, 180-pound receiver is perhaps Nassau II’s most explosive player, posting 890 yards and 16 touchdowns on the Spartans’ prolific offense last season.

It will be interesting to see how Anderson’s quest goes. Syosset’s Michael Elardo set the Long Island record for receiving yards in a single season in 2014 with 1,343, according to Newsday records. Only six receivers have ever eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.

It’ll be his effort, even if 2,000 is out of reach, that keeps fourth-seeded Elmont in competitive with No. 1 Garden City, No. 2 Carey, and No. 3 MacArthur. Fifth-seeded Mepham returns quarterback Michael Proios, and the Pirates could also compete.

“This year, we really want it more because last year it was taken away from us by Carey,” Anderson said of Elmont’s 33-24 loss conference semifinal. “Now, we’re going to do anything possible.”

Carey is strong on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dom Rutigliano throws rockets down the field, and lineman Frank Porcasi exemplifies the uncanny speed on both the Seahawks’ offensive and defensive lines.

“Usually other teams aren’t as fast, and that’s something we’ve always taken pride in,” Porcasi said.

MacArthur returns starting quarterback Kyle Acquavella, who last year rushed for five touchdowns and passed for four. A senior-heavy defense should help keep the Generals near the top.

All the Nassau II teams are gunning for Garden City, which won a Long Island Championship last year. Andrew DeSantis, a member of Newsday’s All-Long Island first team, anchors a tenacious defense with experience.

A talented group of receivers on offense will keep the Trojans offense consistent.

Talents like Anderson, Porcasi, DeSantis and others will make the top of Nassau II one of the most interesting races to watch this fall.