Division III
Rocky Point
Head Coach: Anthony DiLorenzo
The Eagles lost some real talent at QB and linebacker but their rushing attack has the potential to keep them in a lot of games this season. Thomas Doran will lead the backfield and the 6' 188 pound not only has speed with a 4.8 40 yard dash but he is a menace to take down as well. Doran will also be in the middle of the action on defense as he will fill the middle linebacker hole. The running game will have to be the focal point because we aren't sure what to expect from sophomore Peyton Reisinger at QB. He will be thrown into the fire but if he can elevate his play behind the rushing attack Rocky Point could flirt with a playoff bid. Coach DiLorenzo was adamant that his program is not only about winning but his "vision is to develop character, while developing athletic excellence." He spoke on the three pillars of Rocky Point - Effort, Energy, and Love. This Rocky Point team can turn some heads this season.
Comsewogue
Head Coach: Sean Tremblay
This is a running team in it's purest form and they have the pieces to be an almost unstoppable rushing attack Shane Grant returns after he missed time last season with an injury and there has been buzz about him being one of the best backs in the county. He has to carry this offense that has some upside in the passing game, but should be on Grant's shoulders. Tremblay earned All-Suffolk County status as a fullback and linebacker for the Warriors when he went to school there and many see the same sort of upside in Grant. Trembaly called Grant "one of the better players in the county", but he did make a point to tell the media they "have to stay away from the injury bug" this year. Tremblay also expects a big year from Doug Annicelli at wideout and dback and James Ward who will be a force in the middle at 245 pounds.
Eastport-South Manor
Head Coach: Guy Buckley
Guy Buckley will man the sideles for the first time this season.He takes over a program that has been steadily improving year after year and he has the pieces in place to continue that upward trajectory. This team has added a win in each of the past 3 seasons and Buckley has set the goal to add one more and get to four this year. “We want to improve on last year,” Buckley said and added that he wants to "try for .500 this season, that's our goal." That might be a tough uphill climb though as the first year coach watched 26 players graduate last season. He will need receiver Cole Klein and running backs Joey Hershey and Philip Samuel III to step up as underclassmen. But, he does return junior quarterback Max Ferraro. To help Ferraro Buckley will implement the same offense as last season.
Half Hollow Hills West
Head Coach: Gerald Filardi
Joseph Filardi will be under center this season for Half Hollow Hills but he has already signed up to play for the Syracuse Orange next year. The lacrosse and football standout will be back to leading a high flying offense that had the best scoring average in the league. Filardi can't do it alone though as we have a duo of talented receivers back in Brooks and Anthony Raio. Raio and Filardi are not only a one two punch on the gridiron but also with a lacrosse stick in hand and that comradery will take this offense a long way this season. Filardi echo's many of the coaches when he said this is the most competitive division in Suffolk and told everyone to embrace this year.
Westhampton
Head Coach: Bryan Schaumloffel
Coach Schaumloffel told us how inexperienced this team is but also made it a point to say how excited he was to see this group on the field. Brody Schaffer will play an integral role and he has some bulk up front protecting him in David Salazar. Schaumloffel will have a dangerous team if they can gel quickly and get out of the gates against the early season schedule. He spoke about being leaders in the school and how these young athletes are looked up to. Westhampton is not just developing a winning team, but they are making leaders in the school.
Sayville
Head Coach: Reade Sands
Sayville lost out on the Division three crown last season but they are back to being on many people's short lists to take the crown this year. Kyle Messina has a chance to cement his name as the best player in the county and he will once again lead this offense on the ground. Sayville is used to winning and Messina should help continue that.
Harborfields
Head Coach: Rocco Colucci
There are high expectations for Harborfields, which hasn't always been the case. Jack Weiss returns under center and he has a stout and experienced line in front of him. Coach Colucci said that the team's top 6 players have been not only playing together, but also playing the same positions for six years now.
Hauppauge
Head Coach: Chris Diesso
Coach Diesso enters his second season and he brings with him a prolific offense. It will be fun to watch this team go up and down the field again this season but the question will be how much defense can they muster up.
Islip
Head Coach: Jamie Lynch
Islip is back in Division three after spending one season in Division four. The coach told us how devastating it was to lose five starters in the first few games last year and that derailed what he believed would have been a very good team. Now, he returns his starting QB and Colin Haug is returning from a tough ACL tear, that could mean he is out for most of the season. If they can get past the injury bug it's not hard to see this team as a playoff contender.
King's Park
Head Coach: Mark O’Brien
Coach O'Brien enters his 30th year as the head coach of King's Park and he told us that he believed that was the longest tenure. Certainly in the division, but in all of Suffolk county. Being a head coach for 30 years he has seen a lot of turnover and this year he will have to navigate around even more. As he looks over his team he sees just eight seniors on the team, after graduating 25 of them, but was quick to point out how good the JV squad was and their impact will be felt right away. Nick Paliotta and Nick Vicinanza are the only starters returning and the coach said he will ask them to do a lot this season. The experience might not be on the field, but it certainly is on the sidelines and the Kingsmen will see if that is enough to make a playoff push.
East Hampton
Head Coach: Joe McKee
Coach McKee will be back on the sidelines and not just for his 10th season as head coach but he is ok after a close call late last year forced him to miss the final game. McKee was struck by a car while walking to buy flowers for the team's seniors for Senior Day and spent gameday in the hospital. This year he returns with a solid running back duo and we are all glad to see him back on the sidelines.
Amityville
Head Coach: Jason Epps
Coach Epps told a room full of his opposing coaches and reporters to not take his team lightly this season. Injuries ravaged this team last season, so much so they had to forfeit a game, but Epps replaced his coaching staff and brought back a slew of starters. As he said "don't assume we are just a W for you". It's hard not to believe his impassioned speech.