High school football Week 8 blog: Results from the final week of the regular season, plus playoff schedule

Long Island high school football playoff schedule

The regular season has ended and incredibly four of the Week 8 matchups will meet again in the first round of the playoffs.

No. 3 North Babylon will host No. 6 Newfield in Suffolk Division II; No. 4 Lindenhurst, which is on a four-game win streak to finish 4-4, will host No. 5 Commack in Suffolk Division II; No. 5 Babylon will travel to No. 4 Mount Sinai in the Suffolk Division IV quarterfinal round of the high school football playoffs.

And in Nassau Conference IV, No. 7 Valley Stream South will travel to play at No. 2 Lynbrook.

For more playoff matchups, check out the entire schedule here.

South Side knocks off previously unbeaten Wantagh on road

It was time for the South Side football team to make a statement. That statement has been made — and it is as big a statement as anyone has made this year.

The visiting Cyclones took on unbeaten Wantagh in a regular-season finale clash on Saturday, with significant playoff seeding implications at stake. South Side’s defense met the challenge, taking the ball away four times and allowing 268 scrimmage yards in a 21-14 win.

South Side (7-1) earned the second seed in the Nassau Conference IV playoffs, which begin next week, and knocked Wantagh (7-1) from first to third. Plainedge claimed the top seed.

“Coming into this game, we knew this was one of our last guaranteed games we’re going to play,” senior AJ Magaraci said. “We knew if we were going to win, it was going to come through our defense.”

For more on this Nassau IV matchup, check out Mike Anderson's game story. You can also find more Nassau football results from the final week of the regular season here.

North Babylon beats Newfield, will host rematch next week in Suffolk playoffs

It was throwback Saturday in North Babylon. The Bulldogs in search of a home playoff game used the program’s famous ground-n-pound rushing attack against Newfield.

Tailbacks Jack Miller, TJ Shaw and Chandler Como combined for 371 rushing yards and five touchdowns as host North Babylon opened a 28-3 halftime lead and rolled to a 35-25 win over Newfield in the final game of the regular season on Saturday in Suffolk Division II football.

The win earned North Babylon (5-3) the three seed and a home playoff game and a rematch against No. 6 Newfield (3-5) at noon Saturday.

“We thought we might meet them in back-to-back weeks,” North Babylon coach John Rowland said. “It’s great to play them again at home.”

For more on this Suffolk II football game, check out Gregg Sarra's game story. You can also see more Suffolk football results here.

Pat-Med football star Andrew Johnstone is one of LI's most sought-after college recruits

Patchogue-Medford’s Andrew Johnstone spent the summer a bit differently than the average high school student.

Days began at 6 a.m. with weightlifting, something that’s become the norm for the 6-6, 278-pound junior who plays tight end, offensive tackle and defensive end for the football team. Then came the individual drills working alongside his 13-year-old brother, Jake, a fellow giant at 6-2, 275 pounds.

“I like dominating the sport,” Johnstone said. “I’ve always been bigger than everyone else, and I think all the aspects football has — lifting, the different positions I play — I feel like it’s very hard to get tired of it. That’s why I love it.”

For more on Johnstone, check out Michael Sicoli's full story.

Westbury football honors teammate Matthew Mitchell, who passed away suddenly this week

Brandon Chavez dropped to a knee and pointed to the sky after a touchdown. Wayne Olivier did the same after his score. Jason Clarke had “For Matthew” written in eye black across his face.

Westbury football came together Friday night to honor former teammate Matthew Mitchell, who died overnight Wednesday into Thursday following an allergic reaction. The 2026 graduate was a captain and starting running back and linebacker for the Green Dragons before attending Lead Prep Academy in Michigan.

“We just wanted to fight for our brother,” Chavez said. “We all knew that Matthew would want everyone to play. He wouldn’t want anybody to sit out. He’d want everybody on that field.”

Before the Green Dragons faced East Meadow, Westbury displayed Mitchell’s photograph on the scoreboard as the public address announcer read his accomplishments.

For more on Westbury's emotional game, check out Jared Valluzzi's full story.

Sayville's Patrick Coan leads Lehigh to comeback win in debut

Former Sayville star quarterback Patrick Coan made his college football debut on Saturday and helped rally Lehigh University to a 31-30 victory over Bucknell.

Coan, a true freshman, entered the season as the Mountain Hawks’ third-string quarterback after leading Sayville to a 12-0 record and a Class III Long Island Championship as a senior.

On Saturday, he replaced QB Derek Morgan at halftime with his team trailing, 14-7.

Coan finished 3-for-3 passing for 46 yards and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give Lehigh a 21-17 lead.

Lehigh, the defending Patriot League champions, improved to 7-2 and faces Colgate next week.

South Side hands Wantagh its first loss of season

Cyclones win it, 21-14.

Senior free safety Reagan Petrone intercepts Avena, allowing South Side to run this one out.

Wantagh trails South Side as fourth quarter begins

We enter the fourth quarter, South Side leading 21-7.

Wantagh has the ball, first-and-10 from the Cyclones’ 29-yard line.

South Side takes 14-0 halftime lead over Wantagh

Magaraci intercepts Martini’s pass on a trick play. South Side then marches 82 yards down the field, ending the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Rob Cesario to wide receiver Kieran Vetter with 13 seconds left.

Cyclones lead 14-0 at halftime.

Wantagh, South Side tied after first quarter

No score in this first quarter. Both defensive lines getting great push up front.

We head to the second, South Side has the ball, third-and-12 from its own 33.

Wantagh hosts South Side in bid for perfect regular season

I am back at Wantagh High School on behalf of Newsday high school sports to bring you live scoring updates from today’s Nassau Conference IV game between visiting South Side (6-1) and host Wantagh (7-0). Opening kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

The importance of this game can not be understated. If Wantagh wins, it secures the top seed in Nassau IV. If South Side wins, it secures the second seed, while Wantagh would drop to the third seed and Plainedge would take the top seed.

Ward Melville completes first perfect undefeated regular season

Quarterback Hudson Philbrick completed eight of nine passes for two scores and rushed seven times for 161 yards and two TDs in a 55-14 win over Whitman. His two TD passes went to one of Long Island's top wide receivers Joe Karpowicz. The win gave the Patriots their first perfect undefeated regular season championship with an 8-0 record in Suffolk's Division I.

It is the first time in the school's 60-year history they finished with an unblemished perfect record. They were 6-0-3 in 1975.

"It's been a complete team accomplishment," Ward Melville coach Chris Boltrek said. "We have a few guys having outstanding seasons. It's been a very strong team effort."

Ward Melville's goal has been clear from training camp. Win the first football LIC in school history! That will not be an easy path.

Getting through Suffolk's Division I will be a challenge but beating Massapequa, the three-time defending Long Island Class I champion, is quite another hurdle. Massapequa finished 8-0 in Nassau Conference I and owns the state's longest longest current win streak at 31 games. The Patriots have been to the Long Island Class I final in two of the last four years. They were beaten by Farmingdale, 42-20, in 2022 and dropped a 14-12 heartbreaker to Massapequa in the Long Island Class I final last year.

Farmingdale clinches No. 2 seed in Krumenacker's last season

You know a high school football coach feels completely comfortable when they can text you and have a little fun and talk some smack. Especially when that coach is 79-year-old football coach Buddy Krumenacker of Farmingdale.

Earlier this morning Buddy texted me, "Good morning - make that 20." He was texting in regard to our Newsday staff - across the board - all picking Port Washington win and put an end to the 19-game losing streak against Farmingdale. Not so fast - as the Dalers won 28-13 in Nassau Conference I on Friday night.

The game enabled Farmingdale to clinch the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. This is his final year of coaching and man, am I going to miss him. Good for you, Buddy - excellent win.

Massapequa's Kevin Shippos honored by Jets, program gets $1,000

Friday night's Week 8 scores

Nassau

Conference I

Farmingdale 28, Port Washington, 13

East Meadow 20, Westbury 12

Massapequa 42, Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK 7

Conference II

Calhoun 26, Roosevelt 6

Conference III

Manhasset 34, Division 12

Hewlett 41, Clarke 14

Sewanhaka 52, Mineola 37

Elmont 18, Glen Cove 14

Conference IV

Island Trees 40, Carle Place 14

Malverne 48, Lawrence 20

Cold Spring Harbor 30, East Rockaway/West Hempstead 20

Suffolk

Division I

Longwood 45, Bay Shore 0

Lindenhurst 18, Commack 17

Sachem North 34, Connetquot 12

Ward Melville 55, Whitman 14

Division II

Huntington 30, Deer Park 27

Centereach 35, Smithtown East 24

Division III

Westhampton 49, Half Hollow Hills West 6

East Islip 34, Smithtown West 7

West Islip 56, Islip 14

Hauppauge 47, Eastport-South Manor 20

West Babylon 33, Comsewogue 7

Division IV

Hampton Bays 33, Wyandanch 0

Babylon 20, Mt. Sinai 7

Bayport-Blue Point 57, Kings Park 19

CHSFL

Chaminade 28, Fordham Prep 21

St. Anthony's 57, Cardinal Hayes 36

Mount St. Michael 27, St. Dominic 0

Plainedge runs win streak to 7 with Thursday night shutout

Plainedge improved to 7-1 with a 21-0 road victory over Bethpage Thursday night in Nassau III. Plainedge QB Aiden Ryan had 19 carries for 197 yards and a touchdown and also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Casey Auer. Mike Ranaudo had a two-yard touchdown run, and Plainedge defender Sean Maher had an interception in the end zone to close out the first half.

Plainedge has outscored opponents, 263-39, over the team's seven-game win streak. Plainedge's only loss came in the season opener against Wantagh. The Red Devils led at the half before falling 36-33.

Bethpage is 5-3 after starting the season 4-0.

The Week 8 Long Island high school football schedule

Thursday, Oct. 29

Nassau

Conference III

Plainedge at Bethpage, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30

Nassau

Conference I

Farmingdale at Port Washington, 6 p.m.

East Meadow at Westbury, 6 p.m.

Massapequa at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK, 6:30 p.m.

Conference II

Calhoun at Roosevelt, 5:30 p.m.

Conference III

Division at Manhasset, 6 p.m.

Clarke at Hewlett, 6 p.m.

Sewanhaka at Mineola, 6:30 p.m.

Elmont at Glen Cove, 7 p.m.

Conference IV

Carle Place at Island Trees, 6:30 p.m.

Lawrence at Malverne, 7 p.m.

East Rockaway/West Hempstead at Cold Spring Harbor, 7 p.m.

Suffolk

Division I

Bay Shore at Longwood, 6 p.m.

Lindenhurst at Commack, 6 p.m.

Connetquot at Sachem North, 6:30 p.m.

Whitman at Ward Melville, 7 p.m.

Division II

Deer Park at Huntington, 4:30 p.m.

Smithtown East at Centereach, 6 p.m.

Division III

Half Hollow Hills West at Westhampton, 6 p.m.

Smithtown West at East Islip, 6 p.m.

Islip at West Islip, 6 p.m.

Eastport-South Manor at Hauppauge, 6 p.m.

Comsewogue at West Babylon, 6 p.m.

Division IV

Wyandanch at Hampton Bays, 6 p.m.

Mount Sinai at Babylon, 6 p.m.

Bayport-Blue Point at Kings Park, 6:30 p.m.

CHSFL

Chaminade at Fordham Prep, 6 p.m.

Cardinal Hayes at St. Anthony's, 7 p.m.

Mount St. Michael Academy at St. Dominic, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31

Nassau

Conference I

Uniondale at Freeport, 1:30 p.m.

Oceanside at Hempstead, 1:30 p.m.

Herricks/Wheatley/Roslyn at Hicksville, 1:30 p.m.

Conference II

Baldwin at New Hyde Park, 1:30 p.m.

Carey at Mepham, 1:30 p.m.

Garden City at Long Beach, 1:30 p.m.

MacArthur at Valley Stream Central, 1:30 p.m.

Conference III

South Side at Wantagh, 1:30 p.m.

Conference IV

Floral Park at North Shore, 1 p.m.

Locust Valley at Oyster Bay/Friends Academy, 1:30 p.m.

Lynbrook at Valley Stream South, 1:30 p.m.

Seaford at Valley Stream North, 2 p.m.

Suffolk

Division I

Sachem East at Floyd, 12 p.m.

Patchogue-Medford at Central Islip, 1 p.m.

Brentwood at Riverhead, 1 p.m.

Division II

Copiague at Northport, 1 p.m.

Newfield at North Babylon, 1 p.m.

Bellport at Half Hollow Hills East, 1 p.m.

Division III

Rocky Point at East Hampton/Pierson, 1 p.m.

Division IV

Sayville at Glenn, 1 p.m.

CHSFL

St. John the Baptist at Holy Cross, 1 p.m.

St. Francis Prep at Kellenberg, 1 p.m.

Private

The Pennington School at Long Island Lutheran, 12 p.m.

Newsday's HS fantasy football league update

Standings

Jared Valluzzi, 1750

Matt Lindsay, 1562

Gregg Sarra, 1452

Jonathan Ruban, 1436

Chris Matias, 1394

Tess Ferguson, 1169

JP Cheslowitz, 1152

Mike Sicoli, 1068

Lenny Genova, 1066

Mike Anderson, 991

Top performers

QB: Mikey Russo, Lindenhurst

He recorded 64 points for Team Chris. Russo threw for 364 yards and five touchdowns and caught a 14-yard touchdown to lead Lindenhurst over North Babylon, 45-40.

RB: Jack Miller, North Babylon

He had 53 points for Team Sarra. Miller had 279 all-purpose yards, including three rushing scores and a receiving touchdown in North Babylon’s 45-40 loss to Lindenhurst.

WR: Jason Thompson, Whitman

He put up 38 points for Team Valluzzi. Thompson caught a 30-yard touchdown pass and added a four-yard rushing score, totaling 210 yards in Whitman’s 41-10 win over Central Islip.

DEF: Carey

The squad totaled 21 points for Team Ferguson. Anthony DeMarco led the line with six tackles and Vin Ginex returned an interception for a touchdown in Carey’s 49-0 win over New Hyde Park.

Waiver pickups

None this week.