Suffolk Division II football team-by-team preview

1. Bellport (10-2)

Coach: Jamie Fabian (5th)

Key Players: Donte Phillips, RB/CB, Sr.; Jason Hunt, WR/DE, Sr.; Justin Mile, QB/CB, Sr;

Luis Rodriguez, OL/DE, Sr.; Alex Brigadir, OL/DL, Sr; Jesse Barnes, WR/FS, Sr.

The Clippers are the defending Division II champion. with a core of returning starters and plenty of speed and athleticism another title seems in their grasp. Phillips is a dynamic player.

2. Northport (6-3)

Coach: Pat Campbell (5th)

Key Players: Owen Johansen, QB/LB, Sr.; Andrew Miller, TE/DE, Sr.; Tim Cleary OL/LB, Sr.;

Mason Hecht, OT/DT, Jr.; Emmett Radziul, WR/RB/DB, Sr.

The Tigers return a bevy of talented players including Johnson who will be a major impact on both sides of the ball. Senior running backs Christian and Mike Raio, and Evan Gaumont will be featured in the Tigers’ Wing-T offense.

3. Lindenhurst (9-2)

Coach: Nick Lombardo (13th)

Key Players: Chris Carson, WR/LB, Sr.; Evan Chieca, TE/LB, Sr.; Ian Webb, OL?DL, Jr.;

Dom Artale, RB/DB, Sr.; Brady Dolan, WR/DB, Sr.;

The Bulldogs have been in 6 Suffolk finals in the last eight years winning four of them. The Bulldogs have won two Long Island crowns and are 68-11 in that time. Junior John Aquino (WR/DB) and senior Geo Tarte ((RB/LB) will make an impact on both offense and defense.

4. Half Hollow Hills East (7-3)

Coach: Alex Marcelin (2nd)

Key Players: Louca Charalambous, OL/DL, Jr.; Josh Isaacs, HB/TELB, Sr.; Morgan Talifero, WR/DB, Sr.; Davion Johnson, OL/DL, Sr; Max Kullberg, LB, Jr,; Jordan Heymen, QB/DB/WR/KP, Jr.

The Thunderbirds have never reached a championship game in their history. They came close last year, losing in the semifinal to Bellport, 34-28. Jo’Vanny Brown, a transfer from Brentwood, could help them reach the final.

5. West Islip (4-5)

Coach: Steve Mileti (14th)

Key Players: Sal Calderone, RB/LB, Sr.; Anthony DeCristoforo, OG, Jr.; Joey Tapp, OG/DT, Jr.;

Patrick Keenan, QB/CB, Sr.; Patrick Keenan, QB/CB, Sr.; Chris Piropato, RB/TE/LB/S, Jr.;

Bobby Richardson, QB/DB, Jr.,

The Lions have qualified for the playoffs in 35 of the last 41 seasons. This year should be no different because of the talent at the skill positions and a pair of outstanding junior guards.

Juniors Rocco Carpinello (RB/LB/FS) and Sean Boyle (WR/FS/K) will be two-way contributors.

6. Newfield (5-4)

Coach: Nick Adler (4th)

Key Players: Dylan Smith, WR/DB, Sr.; Logan Prisco, FB/TE/LB, Sr.; Kenny Petit-Frere, WR/FS, Jr.; WR/FS, Jr.; Kaleb Mapp, TE/T/DE, Sr.; Tim Cabral, OL/DT, Sr.; James Marra, RB/SS, Sr.

The Wolverines have explosive wide receivers for junior QB Sean Sullivan to throw to, including Smith. Newfield lost to Hills East, 14-13 in the first round of the playoffs last season. Another playoff run is possible with this stingy defense led by Prisco.

7. West Babylon (3-3)

Coach: Kevin Delaney (4th)

Key Players: Drew McKittrick, RB/DB, Sr.; Luca Chang, OL/DL, Sr. Isaiah Richardson, WR/DB, Sr.; Elijah Outlaw, QB/DB, So.; Sean McGuire, WR/DB, Sr.; Anthony Borawski, OL/DL, Jr.

The Eagles have big playmakers in McKittrick, Richardson, McGuire. Outlaw and Junior Eric Pomillo might share the quarterback position. WB is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

8. Smithtown West (4-4)

Coach: Craig Perrino (first)

Key Players: Braden Stahl, QB, Jr.; Tim Vanderbrink, WR/SS, Sr.; Jack LaPrarie, WR/DB, Sr.;

Martin Shook, OL/DL, Jr.; Jack Melore, WR/SS, Jr.; David Weeks, OL/DL, Sr.

The Bulls will look to throw often with Stahl and a talented group of wide receivers. The Bulls averaged almost 200 yards per game passing last season. Sophomore Gavin German and Junior Joe DeVito will both start on the offensive line and at linebacker.

9. Connetquot (4-5)

Coach: Mike Konsevitch Jr. (2nd)

Key Players: Tommy Malvagno, WR/CB, Sr.; Nick Pepitone, QB/FS, Jr.; Tyler McCarthy, RB/DB, Sr.; Stephen Bubier, TE/LB, Sr.; Gio DeRenzo, TE/LB, Sr.; Dan Youmans, OL/DL, Sr.

The Thunderbirds will need consistent line play according to their coach to make a serious playoff run. Chanz Williams, a two-way lineman is a transfer from Valley Stream Central who will be heavily relied on.

10. North Babylon (3-5)

Coach: John Rowland (2nd)

Key Players: Nathaniel Griffith, RB/CB, Sr.; Dominick DiFazio, OL/DL, Sr.; JoelLomax, RB/LB, Jr.; Chris Stumpf, QB/S, Jr.; Warren Toney, TE/LB, Sr.

The Bulldogs will continue to run their Power Wing offense as they have for many years. Junior linemen Alex Seger and Jake Miele (both 6-3, 260) will contribute significantly on both offense and defense.

11. Huntington (5-4)

Coach: Steve Muller (27th)

Key Players: Anthony Annunziata, QB, Sr.; Joe Algeri, OL/LB, Sr.; Dominick Vidota, OL/DL, Sr.; Christian St. John, RB/LB, Jr,; Aidan Carrello, WB/DB, Sr.; Isaiah Thomas, DL, Sr.

The Blue Devils are a young, inexperienced team. Annunziata will be the centerpiece of the offense. Team speed is good at the skill positions. The running backs are underclassmen with

St. John and newcomers Timmy McDonald (sophomore) and junior David Dje Bi Baleborzah.

12. Centereach (1-7)

Coach: Adam Barrett (9th)

Key Players: Riddick Drab, QB/DE, Sr.; LaRawn Robinson, RB/LB, Jr.; Jason Zaita, RB/LB, Jr;

Andrew Ferreira, WR/DB, Sr.

The Cougars will run a multiple offense with Drab switching to quarterback after playing wide receiver the past two seasons. Senior Joseph Prokop and junior Macklin Healy will secure the improved offensive line.

13. Smithtown East (1-7)

Coach: Stephen Costello (5th)

Key Players: Tommy Azzara, QB, Sr.; Dom Galati, WR/CB, Sr.; Brennan Hanley, WR/DB/K/P, Sr.; Mike Devlin, OL/DL, Sr.; Will Kaminicki, WR/DB, Sr.; Steven D’Elia, RB/LB, Sr.

The Bulls have a wealth of talent at the skill positions but are inexperienced on the line other than Devlin. Last season Azzara passed for1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns.

14. Copiague (0-8)

Coach: Ken Rittenhouse (14th)

Key Players: Kahleel White, OL/Dl, Sr.; Anthony Moore Jr., RB/LB, Sr.; Sean Joiner Jr., QB/LB, Sr.; David McKenzie, WR/LB, Sr.

The Eagles are in the midst of a 20-game losing streak but feel that it will end in any game. Sophomores Cody Tiringer (WR/DB), Fabrice Cormier(RB/LB) and Renaudson Dieujuste (RB/LB) are each expected to be two-way starters.