Suffolk Division I preview

Floyd and Sachem North. Stacey Bedell and Dalton Crossan. It will be hard to mention one without the other this season. The two schools recently have formed the league's best rivalry and are the top two seeds once again. Additionally, they feature two of the most explosive running backs in Suffolk County who very likely will stage a season-long dual for the Hansen Award.

Bedell, a first-team Newsday All-Long Island selection in 2010, leads a skill-filled offense that includes improving quarterback A.J. Otranto and a fleet corps of receivers. Crossan, second-team All-Long Island, will be the featured back for the Flaming Arrows after sharing the load last season in their vaunted three-pronged rushing attack. Both backs can flat-out fly. Bedell was clocked in 4.48 this summer -- running on a sprained ankle. Crossan's best time was 4.52. His brother Trent, a sophomore who will take over at quarterback, is almost as fast.

There will be plenty of big offensive plays for both teams, but they are about much more than just speed. The Colonials have excellent linebackers and a quick-hitting defense. The Arrows have an experienced offensive line.

In 2009 and 2010, Sachem North handed Floyd its only regular-season loss, but the Colonials reversed that in the county championship game.

Can anyone else crash this two-team party? Most definitely. Longwood features a pair of huge and talented two-way linemen in Darius Greene and Omari Palmer and expects to have its veteran running backs healthy for the season opener. They merit mention and attention.

1. FLOYD (9-3)

COACH: Paul Longo (17th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Stacey Bedell, RB/S (5-10, 175), Sr.; Brandon Winters, OT (6-4, 250), Sr.; A.J. Otranto, QB (5-11, 175), Jr.; Denis Feise, G/DT (6-0, 260), Sr.; Miguel Brennin, FB/LB (6-0, 190), Jr.; Ken Grimm, WR (6-0, 165), Sr.

ABOUT THE COLONIALS: Bedell, an All-Long Island selection who rushed for 1,658 yards and 18 TDs, is the primary star but he's surrounded by plenty of talent and speed. Otranto is bigger, stronger and more confident running the offense, which features a slew of quick, experienced receivers. An attack defense will showcase linebackers Brennin and Rajiv Heron.

2. SACHEM NORTH (10-1)

COACH: Dave Falco (10th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Dalton Crossan, RB/S (5-10, 185); Sr.; Tyler Andreassi, LB/FB (5-10, 190), Jr.; Trent Crossan, QB/LB (5-9, 180), So.; Jacob Starling, OL/DL (6-1, 210), Sr.; Vincent Provanzano, WR/LB (5-11, 180), Sr.; Vincent Juliano, RB/DL (6-1, 220), Sr.

ABOUT THE FLAMING ARROWS: Beware the Crossan brothers. Both have breakaway speed and while young Trent will mostly hand off to dangerous Dalton, Trent will gain plenty of yardage, too. Andreassi is a fierce pass rusher and blocker. Starling anchors an excellent offensive line that may be the team's strongest suit. Showdown at Floyd on Oct. 15.

3. LONGWOOD (7-3)

COACH: John Murphy (5th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Darius Greene, OG/DL (6-2, 275), Sr.; Omari Palmer, OT/DL (6-3, 310), Sr.; Kevin Perretta, C/DL (6-0, 245), Sr.; Corry, Wallace LB/FB (5-10, 215), Sr.; Anthony Martaccio, WR/S (5-11, 180), Sr.

ABOUT THE LIONS: Greene and Palmer are huge and talented and may be the best interior line tandem on Long Island. Perretta adds size and power up front, where the Lions have few equals. Veteran running backs Kavaughn Wiggins and Davante Booker are expected to be healthy for opening day, making Longwood legit title contenders.

4. NORTHPORT (5-5)

COACH: Kip Lukralle (26th season)

KEY PLAYERS: John Barry, OT/DT (6-1, 270), Sr.; Jake Devenport, OT/DT (6-3, 270), Sr.; Sean Gilroy, QB/DE (6-1, 200), Jr.; Alex Egglinger, G/LB (6-0, 215), Jr.; Ryan Kokell, FB/LB (6-2, 210), Sr.

ABOUT THE TIGERS: Barry and Devenport are the only returning starters on offense and Egglinger and Kokell are the only starters back on defense. So Northport must re-load in a tough conference with new starters at all the skill positions, including quarterback Gilroy. Some promising young players must mature quickly.

5. BRENTWOOD (4-5)

COACH: Jonathan Sorbera (1st season)

KEY PLAYERS: Jabari Brown, FB/LB (6-0, 220), Sr.; Mike Nyantaki, WR/LB (5-10, 190), Sr.; Alvin Enaharo, MLB (5-10, 210), Sr.; Chris Green, RB/LB (5-10, 195), Sr.; Larenz Roberts, OL/DL (6-3, 245), Sr.; Joshua Barksdale, OL/DL (5-10, 220), Sr.

ABOUT THE INDIANS: The coaching staff is new but the core players are experienced. An explosive backfield showcases the power of Brown and the speed of Green. Nyantaki is a go-to receiver. Roberts is a three-year starter on the offensive line. Seven starters return on a defense, led by linebackers Brown and Enaharo.

6. CONNETQUOT (6-3)

COACH: Mike Hansen (9th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Joe Cirrone, FB/LB (5-10, 185), Sr.; Danny Pamlanye, OL/DL (5-11, 240), Jr.; Kenny Drew, OL/DL (6-0, 230), Sr.; Ryan Renfroe, RB/LB (6-1, 215), Jr.; Steven Hartnett, WR/DB (6-0, 175), Sr.; James Elder, OL/DL (5-9 200), Jr.

ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS: Cirrone is a two-way senior force, but he and Drew are among the few veterans. As Hansen said, "We have talented players but not a lot of experience." Some of those skilled juniors who must excel include Renfroe, Pamlanye and Elder. Junior quarterback Brian McKean is a first-year starter.

7. LINDENHURST (4-4)

COACH: Nick Lombardo (3rd season)

KEY PLAYERS: Ken Skon, WR/DB (6-3, 220), Sr.; Josh Stewart, LB/FB (5-11, 215), Sr.; Keith Meisner, QB/DB (6-0, 180); Sr.; Carlos Arguello, TE/DE (6-0, 190), Sr.; Alec Wrieth, WR/DB (6-2, 180, Sr.; Vin Valela, K (5-10, 185), Sr.

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Ken Skon still will be the favorite target, but won't have his brother, Steve, throwing to him. He caught 36 passes for seven touchdowns. Stewart led the team with 81 tackles. Meisner contributed 63 and also steps in at quarterback. Valela, one of the premier kickers in Suffolk, is a nice weapon.

8. BAY SHORE (4-5)

COACH: Jim Giattino (6th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Josh Valentin, OT/LB (6-4, 250), Jr.; Lucas Rock, QB/DB (5-9, 160), Sr.; Patrick Rainis, OT/DE (6-2, 230), Sr.; Griffin Rock, C/LB (6-0, 220), Sr., Jordan Soldinger, OT/DE (6-2, 250), Sr.

ABOUT THE MARAUDERS: Looks like a playoff team, led by Valentin, only a junior but already drawing Division I looks for his defense. Rainis, Griffin Rock and Soldinger add experience and size. West Hempstead transfer Ousmane Camara, an All-Conference linebacker, brings feistiness to the defense at middle linebacker.

9. WARD MELVILLE (4-4)

COACH: Rob Neugebauer (2nd season)

KEY PLAYERS: Frank Lucatuorto, RB/LB (6-0, 185), Sr.; Tim Cespedes, OL/LB (6-0. 230), Sr.; Mike Paul, OL/DL (6-1, 235), Jr.; Andrew Archer, QB (6-2, 200), Sr.; Brendan Hegarty, FB/LB (6-0, 215), Jr.; Ryan Kellerman, RB/LB (5-11, 180), Sr.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS: Looking to build on last year's 4-4 season, which was an upgrade over the recent past. Lucatuorto is an All-County running back and Cespedes leads the defense. Archer is a first-year starter at quarterback. On the playoff bubble.

10. WEST ISLIP (4-5)

COACH: Steve Mileti (3rd season)

KEY PLAYERS: Pat Ryan, OT/LB (5-10, 195), Sr.; Kevin McCorvey, C/DT (6-2, 230), Sr.; Anthony Santo, QB (5-9 185), Sr.; Dan Johnson, TB/S (5-9, 180), Jr.; Mike Aniboli, OT/LB (5-10, 205), Sr.; Nick Aponte, RB/DB (6-2, 185), Jr.

ABOUT THE LIONS: Moving up from Division II is a challenge that West Islip hopes to counter with experience. Six starters return on both offense and defense. Santo threw for 1,246 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ryan made 110 tackles. Aponte led the team in tackles in the final two games.

11. PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD (2-6)

COACH: Jim Chiarello (11th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Chris Makulik, TE/DE (6-2, 240), Sr.; Carlos Torres, OL/LB (5-9, 200), Sr.; Brad Fisher, RB/DB (5-8, 190), Sr.; Dominic Fucci, RB/DB (5-7, 160), Jr.; Jack Keough QB/DB (5-8, 180), Jr.; Joe Altrui, RB/DB (5-9, 185), Sr.

ABOUT THE RED RAIDERS: Chiarello promises a more diverse offense, which means Keough might actually throw a few passes. A prime target is tight end Makulik, a returning All-League first-team player who had 48 tackles. Altrui rushed for 400 yards. Sophomore WR Connor Couoghlin started as a freshman.

12. COMMACK (4-4)

COACH: Joe Reggio (6th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Brandon Cook, RB/LB (6-0, 200), Sr.; Spencer Lasker, C/DT (6-1, 250), Sr.; David Rubino, G/DT (6-1, 230), Sr.; Mike Karaolis, TE/DE (6-1, 205), Sr.; John Donovan, RB/LB (5-9, 175), Jr.; Paul Maline, WR/S (6-1 195), Jr.

ABOUT THE COUGARS: Cook had seven TDs and five sacks in the first game and a half before being lost for the 2010 season with an injury. His return has Commack thinking playoffs. Lasker is the anchor of the offensive line. Runino leads the defense.

13. SACHEM EAST (0-8)

COACH: Mark Wojciechowski (1st season)

KEY PLAYERS: Steve Cusal, TB/LB (6-2, 225), Jr.; Joe Ryan, FB/LB (6-0, 195), Sr.; Tom Ryan, OL/DL (6-0, 195), Sr.; Billy Merone, TB/DB (5-10, 170), Sr.; Michael Marchello, OL/DL (6-0, 235), Jr.; Anthony Vaccaro, RB/LB (5-10, 190), Sr.

ABOUT THE FLAMING ARROWS: New coach, new attitude, and that's a good thing because Sachem East is riding a 15-game losing streak. That matches Stony Brook for the longest current streak on Long Island. The running backs -- Cusal, Vaccaro and Ryan -- are a promising group.

14. CENTRAL ISLIP (3-5)

COACH: Joe Taormina (6th season)

KEY PLAYERS: Joe Pierre, OT/DT (6-4, 305), Sr.; Dan Thompson, FB/DL (6-2 240), Jr.; Eric McCoy, QB (5-9, 165), Sr.; Greg Daily, RB/LB (5-11, 195), Sr.; Ian Boyer, OL/DL (6-5, 205), Sr.; Jamal Jackson, WR/DB (5-11, 165), Sr..

ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS: Inexperience is an issue, with only three starters returning. Pierre is the team's mainstay, a four-year starter who, Taormina said, led the team in pancake blocks and had three sacks. He's drawing college interest. McCoy is a passing threat (992 yards, six touchdowns).