Suffolk All-Stars pumped to play at Stony Brook
Shevron Barthelmy (20) of Newfield meets Tom McInerney of Connetquot on a run around the right side in the first half. (Nov. 24, 2010) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
For Commack's Tyler Smith, it's one more shot to get that often-elusive college offer. For Connetquot cornerback Tom McInerney, it was one last chance to feel the rush that comes from jamming the receiver. And for Shevron Barthelmy, it was one opportunity to play under the lights at Stony Brook, the very thing his Newfield Wolverines were denied earlier this month with a loss in the playoffs.
"It's not only the last game they have to get the attention of recruiters, it might be their last game, period," said Division I-IV co-coach Mike Oestreicher before yesterday's Suffolk PAL All-Star football game. "They're big kids on a big stage. Every kid wants to finish his high school career at Stony Brook."
Yesterday at Kenneth J. LaValle Stadium, the big kids on a big stage turned out a big game. Division II-III, clad in white, defeated Division I-IV in blue, 21-14, on a 27-yard pass by North Babylon's Matt Sonnenberg to West Islip's Rob Pescitelli with 3:10 left in the game. Copiague safety Terrick Simms' interception on the Blue 40-yard line with 1:45 to play iced the game.
Barthelmy and Smith were named the offense MVPs, while West Islip's Mike Sagl and Northport's Kyle Fortuna took defense honors.
The All-Star game is also known as the "Thanks for Giving" game because spectators are encouraged to bring canned and nonperishable food for Long Island's hungry and attracted a crowd of thousands. Oestreicher, of Hampton Bays, and Patchogue-Medford's Jim Chiarello led the I-IV squad in blue, while Centereach's Charlie McMillen coached the II-III white quad.
