Sayville's Ferreira should get plenty of help this season

Sayville quarterback Steven Ferreira might approach the 1,873 yards and 17 touchdowns he threw for last season. After all, he was only a sophomore.

But if all goes according to plan, he won't need to approach the 629 yards rushing he was forced to contribute last season. "This year, I think we can run the ball," Sayville coach Rob Hoss said. "Last year, Steven had to do everything."

The Golden Flashes will also sparkle on defense, led by Joe DeLuca, a 250-pound wall who, like Ferreira, is a returning All-County player. Under Hoss, Sayville has won the LIC in '04, '06 and '08. Will it be another even-numbered title?

Islip, with eight starters back on defense, led by tackling machine Alex Gavilia at linebacker and 6-6, 250-pound defensive end Andrew Oberg, will provide legitimate competition.

Offensively, the Buccaneers feature two explosive backs, All-County Jeffrey Craig and Joe Sciara, who missed seven games due to injury. Eastport-South Manor, led by 1,500-yard rusher Alan Henderson, comes off the finest season in school history.

Speedy, athletic Amityville, which reached the LIC last year, moves up from Division IV and features Willie White, a game-breaking wide receiver who moves to quarterback in the Warriors' spread offense.

Suffolk Division III team outlooks

SEE PHOTOS2009 All-Long Island Football

SAYVILLE (7-3)

Coach: Rob Hoss (9th season)

Key players: Jr. QB Steven Ferreira (6-0, 170); Sr. OL/DL Joe DeLuca (6-2, 250); Sr. OL/DL Casey Boos (6-1, 295); Sr. WR/DB Rich Millwater (5-10, 185); Sr. OL/DE Justin Fronckwicz (5-9, 190); Sr. RB/DE Anthony Cavaliere (5-9, 190); So. RB/DE John Haggart (6-1, 195).

About the Golden Flashes: Even with the emergence of Ferreira (1,873 yards passing, 17 touchdowns plus 629 yards rushing) as a bona fide sophomore star, Sayville was pretty one-dimensional last season. "I think we can run the ball this year," coach Hoss said, citing sophomore Haggart and junior Tom Dieckoff as difference makers. Defensively, immovable DeLuca leads a tough group.

ISLIP (5-4)

Coach: Jamie Lynch (5th season)

Key players: Sr. QB/DB Jeffrey Craig (6-0, 185); Sr. OT/DE Andrew Oberg (6-6, 250); Sr. RB/LB Alex Gavilia (5-11, 190); Sr. RB/DB Joe Sciara (5-9, 160); Sr. TE/DE John Aubel (6-3, 205); Jr. QB/LB Joe Sabbatino (6-0, 180).

About the Buccaneers: With eight starters back from the league's second stingiest defense, Islip will be difficult to score on. Linebackers Gavilia (a three-year starter) and Sabbatino and stud DE end Oberg lead this unit. Offensively, Craig is one of the most explosive players in the county and could spend time at quarterback and tailback to utilize his 4.5 speed.

EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR (5-4)

Coach: Brian Sacks (3rd season)

Key players: Sr. RB/S Alan Henderson (5-11, 190); Jr. OT/DT Sean Karl (6-7, 295); Sr. RB/LB Ryan Cutler (5-10, 210); Sr. QB Luke Combs (5-10, 185); Sr. WR Colin Flaherty (6-1, 185); Sr. DE Nicholas Gonzalez (6-2, 190).

About the Sharks: Can they perform an encore to the first playoff season in school history? It looks promising with Henderson (1,505 yards rushing, 22 touchdowns) back to run behind massive and talented Karl. Combs threw for 745 yards and six TDs; Flaherty caught 18 for 325 yards. Defensively, Cutler is a hitter who made 105 tackles with four sacks.

AMITYVILLE (9-3)

Coach: Chris Taylor (6th season)

Key players: Jr. QB/DB Willie White (5-11, 170); Sr. OL/DE Raheem Williams (5-10, 210); Sr. RB/LB Mark Jerrick (5-8, 165); Sr. WR/LB Jonathan Williams (6-0, 185); Sr. RB/LB A.J. Watlington (5-6, 160); Sr. WR/DB Brian Kretz (6-0, 170).

About the Warriors: They move up from Division IV, but team speed makes them dangerous. They're young in several key positions, including quarterback where electrifying wide receiver White takes over to run Amityville's spread offense. Jerrick (416 yards rushing, 42 tackles) is a top two-way performer. Watlington can run and catch. Williams (six sacks) can get to the quarterback.

KINGS PARK (6-4)

Coach: Mark O'Brien (16th season)

Key players: Sr. QB/S Nick Borkowski (6-0, 175); Sr. OT/DE Greg Martin (6-0, 215); Sr. TE/LB Nick Venier (6-2, 195); Sr. TB/LB Will Harris (6-0, 185); So. FB/LB Luke Toscono (6-1, 220); Jr. TB/S Dominic Montemurro.

About the Kingsmen: An experienced defense features linebackers Harris (44 tackles), Venier (35) and Toscono (22 plus three sacks). Martin (21 tackles, two sacks) is part of a veteran line. Youth at the skill positions is a concern. Former wide receiver Borkowski takes over at quarterback but returns to patrol the secondary (35 tackles, two interceptions).

WESTHAMPTON (4-4)

Coach: Bill Parry (14th season)

Key players: Sr. QB/S Cory Schulz (5-10, 175); Jr. TE/DE Connor Raynor (6-0, 215); Sr. FB/DB Antonio Garcia (5-8, 170); Sr. G/LB Renato Alvarado (5-8, 180); Jr. G/DE Neal Ebrus (6-1, 200); Jr. LB Scott Martin (5-10, 180).

About the Hurricanes: Schulz is one of the top returning two-way backs in the league. Rushed for 378 yards and nine touchdowns and heads the secondary. Raynor made 51 solo tackles as a soph and is powerful run-blocker. Inside linebacker Alvarado made 84 solo tackles as Westhampton returns nine of 11 starters from last year's defense, stingiest in league.

HUNTINGTON (2-6)

Coach: Steve Muller (15th season)

Key players: Sr. RB/LB Calvin Bollar (5-9, 205); Sr. WR/DB William Coffey (6-4, 190); Sr. LB Peter Kingston (5-10, 180); Sr. OL/DL Richie Fernandez (6-1, 260); Sr. WR/DB Ryan Mulligan (6-4, 200); Jr. RB/LB Trayvon Toney (6-1, 190).

About the Blue Devils: Bollar, a returning All-County performer, was forced to play quarterback last season where he was, in Muller's words "basically the entire offense." Bollar should flourish at running back and get offensive help from Coffey, Mulligan and Toney. Junior quarterback Danny Plant was injured in 2009 and is much improved. Kingston was the team's leading tackler.

ROCKY POINT (2-6)

Coach: Anthony DiLorenzo (3rd season)

Key players: Sr. QB Ryan Peacock (5-11, 185); Sr. TE/LB Kodi Lubkeman (6-4, 200); Sr. RB/LB Ed Torriero (5-10, 185); Sr. OL/DL Jake Iadanza (5-10, 265); Sr. OL/DL Charlie Prechtl (6-1, 260); Sr. OL/DL Ian Jiranek (6-3, 270).

About the Eagles: A senior-laden team looks to improve significantly. Peacock will strut his stuff at quarterback in Rocky Point's multiple sets. The veteran line has size with Jiranek (270), Iadanza (265) and Prechtl (260) to open holes for Torriero. Offense must average more than last year's 12 points per game for Eagles to sneak into playoffs.

DEER PARK (3-5)

Coach: Ron Langella (6th season)

Key players: Sr. DE Russ Dimirty (6-2, 220); Sr. WR Ornob Chowdhury (5-10, 185); Sr. RB Vince McAnuff (5-9, 180); Sr. C Anthony Laucella (6-0, 230); Jr. LB Vinny Vitale (5-10, 210); Jr. QB Austin Sweeting (6-0, 180).

About the Falcons: The lowest-scoring team in Division III (11 points per game) hopes junior quarterback Sweeting can keep the chains moving in Deer Park's option offense. He'll get help from veteran running back McAnuff, newcomer Damien Lugo and veteran receiver Chowdhury. They'll still be a blitzing defense, led by Vitale, with Dimirty applying pressure from edge.

HAUPPAUGE (7-4)

Coach: Joe Patrovich (3rd season)

Key players: Sr. G/DE Anthony Martello (6-2, 225); Sr. RB/DB Mike Ortolani (5-8, 160); Sr. QB Brendan Ellinger (5-10, 175); Sr. RB/LB Anthony Brody Santos (6-1, 190); Sr. OT/DE Dom Repoli (6-2, 200); Sr. RB/LB Chance Menendez (6-0, 185).

About the Eagles: There are plenty of seniors around, but Martello - a genuine two-way star - is one of the few who started on last year's veteran team. "Inexperienced, but not young," is how coach Patrovich put it. Ortolani got a few touches behind star Zack Losco, but QB Ellinger and RB Santos are new to the starting lineup.

HARBORFIELDS (2-6)

Coach: Mike Potter (8th season)

Key players: Sr. WR/S Matt McLeod (6-3, 185); Sr. WR/LB Greg Fitzmaurice (6-2, 180); Sr. QB/DB Sean Clark (5-10, 150); Sr. RB/S Nico Amantia (5-10, 170); Sr. OT/LB Chris Roy (6-2, 225); Sr. G/DE John Bolger (6-2, 235).

About the Tornadoes: Coach Potter acknowledged that 2009 "was a rebuilding year," but hopes experience gained in losses will help in 2010. An attack defense and wide-open offense is led by All-Long Island basketball player McLeod (31 receptions, 520 yards) and Fitzmaurice (41 tackles, three interceptions). Amantia, a dangerous open-field runner, returns from injury. Clark was 2-1 as starter.

SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER (2-6)

Coach: Matt Millheiser (1st season)

Key players: Jr. OL/DB Dylan Gorman (6-0, 210); Jr. TE/LB Dylan Bates (5-10, 185); Sr. OL/DL Anthony Casa (6-3, 210); Jr. RB/DB Anthony Loguercio (5-8, 175); Jr. OL/LB Mike Savino (5-11, 185); Jr. OL/LB Joe Longo (5-8, 190).

About the Wildcats: It will be a tough rookie season for Millheiser. Not only does his team lack experience - Casa is one of the few senior starters - but SWR is moving up from Division IV. Defense was a problem in 2009 as the 'Cats surrendered 30 points per game. Bates, Gorman and Savino form a good group of linebackers.

EAST HAMPTON (5-4)

Coach: Bill Barbour Jr. (4th season)

Key players: Sr. CB/WR Stephen Bahns; Sr. DE/OT Taylor Harned (6-1, 200); Sr. LB/G Kelly Kalbacher (6-0, 200); Sr. LB/TE Pete Johan (6-2, 195); Sr. LB/RB Rob Greene (6-1, 195); Sr. QB Frank Grande (5-11, 180).

About the Bonackers: Surprised a lot of people with a winning, playoff season in 2009 coming from the No. 13 seed. Can they do it again? Untested senior Grande must replace Austin Heneveld, who had a superb season at quarterback. An opportunistic defense features Bahns, who made six interceptions and Harned, who had five sacks.

MILLER PLACE (0-8)

Coach: Ron Petrie (11th season)

Key players: Jr. QB/DB Matt Hinchy (6-1, 175); Sr. TE/DE Danny Finta (6-5, 220); Sr. RB/DB Nick Acevedo (5-11, 185); Jr. OL/DL Ryan Kelly (6-2, 215); Sr. OL/DL Mike Kelleher (5-11, 240); Sr. RB/LB Matt Herbst (5-11, 175).

About the Panthers: A winless season in 2009 was a bit misleading as Miller Place lost four games by a total of 15 points. Eight starters return on defense, led by Herbst (52 tackles, four sacks). Hinchy (eight running touchdowns, three TD passes) leads a young offense. Acevedo scored six touchdowns and made 44 tackles with two interceptions.