Newsday's Sarra honored by National Football Foundation Hall of Fame
Brian Falk of Seaford rushes for a 30-yard touchdown run against Lynbrook during a Nassau Conference IV football semifinal game at Hofstra on Nov. 15. Credit: David Meisenholder
Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra just about has seen it all when it comes to high school football. After all, he has been covering the sport for 40 years.
Sarra, 64, was honored for his decades of high school football coverage Wednesday night at the Nassau County High School Football Coaches Association awards banquet at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Sarra received the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Amateur Football Award.
Under Sarra’s guidance, Newsday produces an annual preseason list recognizing the top 100 football players on Long Island, a 28-page preview section, weekly game coverages and features, weekly "Gridiron Greats" highlighting the top individual performances of the week, and a weekly highlight show produced in Newsday’s television studio.
On Aug. 21, the NCHSFCA held its first media day, during which, players from each team answered questions from Sarra in front of the other teams’ representatives.
“No one has done more to promote young people, coaches and the game of football than Gregg,” said Frank Luisi, the director of the NFF Nassau County chapter. “He’s a hope creator. His writing creates hope for kids in Nassau County. No one has given more than him.”
Falk, Felix receive hardware
Seaford senior running back Brian Falk was the recipient of the Roy Kessenich Award, which recognizes three-sport athletes. The West Point lacrosse commit is also a standout basketball player. He was the driving force behind the Vikings’ run to the Nassau Conference IV title.
He had 205 carries for 1,585 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 30 passes for 553 yards and four TDs. Falk finished his career with 4,544 rushing yards.
Port Washington junior Levi Felix won the Pat Pizzarelli award as Nassau's top receiver. He caught 34 passes for 728 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Said coach Kevin Cloghessy: “He’s extremely fast and he can really stretch the field, but he’s also really technical at the wide receiver position.”
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
