Top-seeded Sayville motivated by loss
Sayville's John Haggart (27) powers through the defense of Amithyville to score a touchdown in the Suffolk County Varsity Football Division III first round playoff game. Sayville defeated Amityville 25-21. (Nov. 6, 2010) Credit: Alan J Schaefer
John Haggart, though hurting from a bitter end to Sayville's 2010 season, already could see the promise of 2011. As he ambled off the field after his team's 42-27 loss to Lynbrook in the Long Island Class III championship game, the running back, then a sophomore, said he was "looking to the future" and swore "we're going to get here next year. I can feel it."
It's next year and top-seeded Sayville appears equipped to fulfill Haggart's promise. But that, of course, is no certainty given the talent and depth of its own conference. Long Island Class II champ Bellport moves to Division III and is a major threat. Huntington, with a strong core of seniors, could burrow its way into the upper echelon.
Then there's Islip, wanting desperately to avenge last season's triple-overtime loss to Sayville in the Suffolk championship. "I don't think anyone here is over that loss," coach Jamie Lynch said. "That's motivating us."
1. SAYVILLE (10-2)
COACH: Robert Hoss (10th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Steven Ferreira, QB, (6-1, 180), Sr.; John Haggart, RB/LB, (6-1, 205), Jr.; Tom Hannon, WR/DB, (5-8, 162), Sr.; James Rupp, WR/DB, (6-1, 185), Sr.; Matt Ali, TE/LB, (5-10, 190), Sr.; Chris Lorenzo, OL/DL, (5-11, 295), Sr.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN FLASHES: They return several key players from last year's county championship team and boast a high-powered spread offense. Haggart, a bruising runner, ran for 1,256 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore. Ferreira, a prolific passer who threw for 2,095 yards and 27 TDs last year, could challenge Suffolk records. Ali is an all-division linebacker.
2. BELLPORT (9-3)
COACH: Joe Cipp III (first year)
KEY PLAYERS: Justin Honce, QB/DB, (6-3, 210), Sr.; Eddie Carson, RB/LB, (5-4, 150), Sr.; Travis Correa, WR/DB, (6-2, 165), Sr.; Armand Correa, WR/DB, (6-2, 170), Sr.; Alejandro Morales, WR/DB, (6-0, 165), Sr.; Nelson Briggs, OL/LB, (5-11, 215), Sr.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: After winning Class II last year, enrollment-based shuffling sent Bellport into Division III. The Clippers' new spread offense could be prolific, with Honce, who accounted for 14 touchdowns as a junior. Cipp III steps in to replace his father, Joe Cipp II, who retired after last season as the winningest football coach in Suffolk history.
3. HUNTINGTON (7-3)
COACH: Steve Muller (16th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Trayvon Toney, FB/LB, (6-2, 210), Sr.; Zach Foster, DE/OT, (6-4, 240), Sr.; Danny Plant, QB, (6-2, 210), Sr.; Tom Mulligan, WR, (6-4, 200), Sr.; Devon Nelson, LB, (6-2, 210), Jr.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS: Huntington returns a strong cast and has good senior leadership, a big factor in being tabbed the No. 3 seed in the preseason poll. Led by Toney, an elite talent, Huntington utilizes multiple formations and has a versatile attack on both sides of the ball.
4. ISLIP (9-2)
COACH: Jamie Lynch (sixth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Joe Sabbatino, QB/LB, (5-11, 190), Sr.; Johnny Maher, RB/CB, (5-9, 165), Sr.; Zach Conner, OL/LB, (5-11, 210), Sr; Terence Foley, WR/DB, (6-1, 190), Sr.; Vincent Provenzano, OG/LB, (5-9, 195), Sr.
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS: County finalists have a solid offense and return one of the Suffolk's best defenses. They're led on both sides by Sabbatino, who is a talented quarterback and a playmaking linebacker (85 tackles, five sacks, five fumbles forced). They also have an X-factor in strong-legged sophomore kicker Eric Rosenthal.
5. WESTHAMPTON (6-4)
COACH: Bill Parry (15th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Connor Raynor, TE/DE, (6-1, 230), Sr.; Danny Gomez, FB/LB, (5-10, 190), Sr.; Kevin Dean, Center/DT, (5-9, 200), Sr.; Scott Martin, RB/OLB, (5-9, 190), Sr.; Ryan Curry, RB/OLB, (5-9, 175), Sr.; Zach Laube, OT/DT, (6-0, 235), Sr.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES: Westhampton reached the semifinals and returns a strong core, including seven starters on defense. It has a run-heavy Wing-T offense. Its defense, admittedly, doesn't have much size, but it compensates with speed and athleticism. The unit has high upside with Raynor and Gomez.
6. KINGS PARK (3-6)
COACH: Mark O'Brien (17th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Luke Toscano, FB/TE/DE, (6-2, 240), Jr.; Dominic Montemurro, RB/DB, (5-8, 170), Sr.; Mike Thorne, OL/LB, (6-0, 210), Sr.; Joe Guercio, QB/FS, (6-2, 185), Jr.; Tom Milich, RB/LB, (5-7, 175), Jr.; Tom Venier, RB/CB, (5-9, 160), Jr.
ABOUT THE KINGSMEN: Kings Park returns all of its skill position players. It is led by Toscano who earned all-county honors as a sophomore last year. He's athletic and versatile -- able to long snap, kick and punt in addition to playing tight end, fullback and defensive end. Among the newcomers to the varsity is 6-6 wideout Kevin Gurlides.
7. MILLER PLACE (4-4)
COACH: Ron Petrie (11th season)
KEY PLAYERS: Matt Hinchy, QB/DB, (6-1, 185), Sr.; Ryan Kelly, OL/DL, (6-2, 225), Sr.; Alex Greenidge, RB/LB, (5-9, 195), Jr.; Colin Ferrall, RB/LB, (6-0, 195), Sr.; Danny Fey, WR/DB, (6-3, 200), Sr.; Jeff Reh, WR/LB, (5-9, 155), Sr.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: The Panthers, who missed the final playoff berth on a tiebreaker, have many returnees, but there is inexperience on both lines. They hope Hinchy's offense will be able to offset that. Chris Buchalski (6-3, 220), a late call-up from JV last season, has potential and will play on both lines.
8. COMSEWOGUE (5-4)
COACH: Sean Tremblay (first season)
KEY PLAYERS: Mike Krisa, FB/LB, (5-10, 225), Sr.; Kenny Scotland, WR/LB, (6-5, 210), Sr.; Anthony Marone, RB/DB, (5-11, 205), Sr.; Dan Infanzon, RB/DB, (5-9, 175), Jr.; Ryan Keefe, QB/DB, (6-1, 190), Jr.; Carlos Acosta-Nunez, RB/LB, (5-9, 180), Jr.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: They graduated 19 last year but have talent at the skill positions. Their success, Tremblay said, will be contingent on the play of their lines. Krisa has ideal size and skill at fullback and linebacker, and Scotland, a 6-5 receiver, could be a matchup nightmare for defensive backs.
9. HARBORFIELDS (5-3)
COACH: Mike Potter (ninth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Connor Coyle, RB/LB, (6-0, 205), Sr; Travis George, QB/CB, (5-9, 180), Sr.; Kyle Natiello, OG/DE, (6-1, 210), Sr.; Chris Clement, WR/OLB, (6-1, 195), Sr.; Jack Doyle, OT/DE, (6-1, 225), Jr.; Dylan Piscitelli, FB/LB, (5-10, 185), Jr.
ABOUT THE TORNADOES: Harborfields lost its first three but finished last season on a five-game winning streak. This season it will feature a new 4-4 defense and promises a shift to a more open, aggressive style of offense. Natiello (five sacks) could blossom as a pass rusher, and George (six interceptions) and Coyle (four interceptions) are ballhawks.
10. EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR (4-4)
COACH: Paul Mastronardi (second season)
KEY PLAYERS: Sean Karl, OL/DL, (6-6, 300), Sr.;Tom Marone, TE/FB/LB, (5-10, 195), Sr.; Adam Malone, WR/DB, (5-8, 150), Sr.; Garrett Bavosa, WR/DB, (6-3, 190), Sr.; Matt Prokesch Jr., QB/DB, (5-10, 165), Jr.; Joe Pesce, OL/DL, (6-1, 290), Soph.
ABOUT THE SHARKS: They've got speed and athleticism at the skill positions and good size on the lines. And assurance for them comes from having Karl anchor both lines. He's a dominant lineman who has committed to Virginia. Marone is a solid runner and Prokesch, a former wide receiver, is a dual-threat quarterback.
11. ROCKY POINT (1-7)
COACH: Anthony DiLorenzo (fourth season)
KEY PLAYERS: Joe Kingston, QB/DB, (5-7, 160), Sr.; Nick LaSalla, RB/LB, (5-9, 175), Jr.; Vin Bua, RB/DL, (6-0, 220), Jr.; Anthony Bua, OL/DL, (6-2, 205), Sr.; John Popko, WR/DB, (5-11, 170), Sr.; Ryan Palasek OL/DL, (6-0, 185), Sr.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: They haven't made the playoffs since 2007, but they could be competitive with their talent on offense. The development of talented QB Kingston and running back LaSalla, along with Anthony Bua on the line, could make Rocky Point's spread offense dangerous.
12. EAST HAMPTON (2-6)
COACH: Bill Barbour (fifth season)
KEY PLAYERS: James Budd, Center/DE, (6-1, 190), Sr.; Ryan Judeh, QB/DB, (5-11, 175), Sr.; Jhovani Hernandez, OG/DT, (5-10, 190), Sr.; Drew Griffiths, RB, (6-0, 190), Sr.; Joe Olsweski, OG/DT, (5-11, 220), Sr.
ABOUT THE BONACKERS: East Hampton doesn't have much size, Barbour said, but it hopes to counter that with its athleticism. East Hampton runs a 4-4 base defense and a Pistol offense -- in which a running back lines up behind the quarterback, who is in a shotgun-like formation. However, with its speed in the backfield (QB Judeh included), the coach said it will look to incorporate the run more for balance.
