Suffolk Division I football team-by-team preview
Nick Gaffney of Ward Melville celebrates after a Suffolk Division I quarterfinal against Sachem North on Nov. 5, 2021 at LaValle Stadium. Credit: Dawn McCormick
1. Floyd (9-2)
Coach: Paul Longo (28th)
Key Players: Dylan Harris, RB/LB, Sr.; Ryan Amato, OG/DT, Sr.; LaDuke Harris, QB/OLB, Sr.; Caden Lesiewicz, RB/S/K, Jr., Krishmar Powell, FB/DE, Sr.; Connor Taphouse, OG/DE, Sr.
The Colonials have reached the Division I finals in six straight seasons winning four titles. An outstanding running game led by Harris and junior Jayden Montalvo will make Floyd difficult to stop. Sophomore Gio Alvarez will contribute as both a WR and as a DB. LaDuke Harris is a three-year starter at quarterback. If he has a good season the rest of the division is in trouble.
2. Ward Melville (6-4)
Coach: Chris Boltrek (9th)
Key Players: Nick Garvey, RB/S, Sr.; Lorenzo White, WR/CB, Sr.; Andrew Belli, QB, Sr.; Josh Rettig, OT/MLB, Sr.; Dylan Moore, OT/DT, Sr.; Max Behar, OG/DT, Sr.
The Patriots will have a balanced attack led by Gaffney who had over 1,300 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. Sophomore Devin Larsen will bolster the lines on both sides of the ball.
3. Longwood (3-5)
Coach: Sean Kluber (2nd)
Key Players: Mason Hauser, TE/LB, Sr.; Terrance Robinson, RB/DB, Sr.; Josh Jackson, OL/DE, Sr.; Tyler Hammel, OL/DE, Sr.; Louis Kaleb, QB/DB, Sr.; Anthony Ordonez, FB/LB, Sr.
The Lions look to return to the playoffs after missing them for just the second time in 18 years last season. Hauser is an outstanding two-way player who had 47 solo tackles last season.
All of the Lions’ varsity coaches are Longwood Alumni.
4. Sachem North (4-5)
Coach: Dave Caputo (5th)
Key Players: Tyler Hall, RB/LB, Sr.; Luis Jaquez, OL/DL, Sr.; James Reid, OL/DL; Chris Lombardo, RB/L B, Jr.; Andrew Easton, WR/RB/DB, Jr.
The Flaming Arrows reached the playoff for the first time in five years. Hall (833 rushing yards) will run behind its big offensive line that includes Hammel, junior Anthony Dimenna, and sophomore Angelo Portillo.
5. Patchogue-Medford (2-5)
Coach: Gary Marangi (11th)
Key Players: Justin Marcia-Joachim, WR/DB, SR.; Max Adams, OL/DL, Sr.; Gabe Ciancio, OL/DL, Sr.; Alex Hoffman, TE/LB, Sr.; Joe Kelly, RB/LB, Sr.; Jesse Andrade, WR/DB, Sr.
The Raiders line will be the strength of the team. Freshman behemoth Keith McDowell (6-4, 310) will be part of the huge forward wall. The wideouts are a speedy group that includes senior CJ Forgione.
6. Commack (7-3)
Coach: Joe Reggio (10th)
Key Players: Jake McKay, RB/LB, Sr.; Jeremy Weiss, QB, Jr.; Ryan Wald, K, Sr;
The Cougars return only three starters. They lost 30 players to graduation. Yet there is optimism because of skill players McKay, Weiss, and Wald. Weiss won Suffolk’s recent quarterback challenge. A return to the playoffs is possible.
7. Sachem East (3-5)
Coach: Ray Pickersgill (first)
Key Players: Jaden Rodriguez, MLB, Sr.; Derek Bisacco, QB, Sr.; Michael Vurchio, WR, Sr.; Gino LaRotonda, RB/LB, Sr.; Jack Pickersgill, RB/LB, Sr.; Jeramiah Slavin, OT/DT, Sr.
The Flaming Arrows are a senior group who is looking to make the playoffs after a two-year absence. Slavin and senior Tyler Guliano make a formidable set of offensive tackles. Rodriguez made 96 tackles from his linebacker spot.
8. Whitman (11-1)
Coach: Robin Rosa (13th)
Key Players: Xavier Ali, OL/DL, So.; Jacob Somer, FB/LB, Sr.; J. D. Harrison, WR/CB, Jr.;
J. T. Villela, WR/DB, Sr.; Carter Schum, WR/CB, Jr.; Takodah Clelo, TE/DL, Sr.
The Wildcats won their first county title since 1984 and first Rutgers Trophy since 1974. Many newcomers will vie for starting positions. Ali, Somer, and Harrison had significant playing time.
9. Brentwood (4-5)
Coach: Rich DeJesus (6th)
Key Players: Emil Abreu, OL/DL, Sr.; Jayson Pickens, OL/DL, Sr.; Chris Ayala, RB/LB, Jr.; Daniel Ventura, QB/WR/S, Sr.; CJ Francois, WR/LB/DB, Sr.; Elmer Cruz, OL/DL,Sr.
Brentwood averaged over 200 yards rushing per game last season and will have to do that again to reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2009-2010. Junior Ernesto Jurado will help anchor the line.
10. Riverhead (4-5)
Coach: Ed Grassman (first)
Key Players: Amari Funn, RB/LB, Sr.; Angelo Confort, WR/DB/P, Sr.; Michael McLean, TE/DL, Sr.; Sean Keane, C/DL, Sr.; John Booker, RB/LB, Sr.; Andrew MacGray, WR/CB, Sr.
The Blue Waves have a new coach in Ed Grassman because Leif Shay retired after 23 years with 123 wins and four county titles. Riverhead won four games in a rebuilding season and hopes to reach the playoffs again.
11. Central Islip (1-7)
Coach: Eric Unverzagt (first)
Key Players: Jordan Ryer, OL/DL, Sr.; Kevin Mills, WR/DB, Sr.; Ryan Antwi, RB/DB, Sr.; Amonte Tucker, RB/DB, Jr.; Jaiden James, TE/DL, Jr.; Ethan Suchit, QB/WR/DB, Jr.
The Musketeers will look to have a more balanced attack with Mills (700 yards passing) directing the offense. Alumnus Eric Unverzagt takes over as the new head coach. He is the fifth alum to become the head football coach at C.I.
12. Bay Shore (0-8)
Coach: Mike Brown (5th)
Key Players: Christian Dupont, WR/DB, Sr.; Jordan Tyler, RB/LB, Jr.; Charles Anderson, OL/DL, Sr.; Assanti Hall, RB/DB, Jr.; Josiah Burgess, RB/DB, Jr.; Jayden Dean, OL/DL, So.
The Marauders are improved over last season with a group of speedy skill players. They don’t have much size so controlling the edge on both sides of the ball is a must.
