Division 1 Suffolk County Football Preview


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Division I

William Floyd

Head Coach: Paul Longo

Coach Longo returns for his 30th season as head coach and he said "I love it and I'll do it until I can't walk". The Colonials have won five Long Island championships but missed out on a sixth last season when they dropped that game to Massapequa 35-7. Despite that loss coach Longo continues to show why this is one the premiere programs on the island. The Colonials’ have represented Suffolk in the Long island Championship game a record 14 times. They lost some key pieces and 19 seniors but Longo knows how to retool quickly. This season they return star quarterback A.J. Cannet. In that game Cannet passed for 201 yards and a TD and he will have his #1 receiver Geo Alvarez back. Alvarez went for 155 yards and a TD, showing off his deep ball speed. Defensively Josh Jordan leads the way as a big play corner. Along with Alvarez, Derek Amato and Aaron Fisher are dubbed as some of the best players not only in this division but on the entire island.

Patchogue-Medford

Head Coach: Thomas Piccirillo

Pat-Med had a rough inaugural season under their new head coach but things are looking up as they return the bulk of their starting offense including most of their offensive line. This will be year two with a new coach and that leap is expected by many. This is not the same team as last year's 0-8 squad and they want to make an early statement.

Longwood

Head Coach: Sean Kluber

Longwood has high hopes this season as they are returning a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Coach Kluber said "this is the largest roster we have ever had at Longwood High School. We are holding 67 kids. We have 40 seniors and are bringing back 8 starters on each side of the ball." There will be a new face under center but only new to the position as Ryan Mandaro was on the team's defense last year. Speaking to coach Kluber and the team you get the sense that they are looking at big things this season behind their senior leadership, which is felt across all levels. He also was quick to point out that his entire coaching staff went to Longwood, so there this season there is an added sense of pride in the community.

Ward Melville

Head Coach: Chris Boltrek

Entering their 58th year as a program Head Coach Boltrek has an impressive track record after a decade leading this team, but this team still wants more. They failed short of their goal to be county champions last season and are bringing back a slew of seniors to help get them that goal this time around. This team has been a perennial playoff contender and this season will be no different, but getting the juniors and inexperienced players to thrive will be the difference between the playoffs and a championship. Last season they had the best offensive line in Suffolk and that emphasis on the big bodies up front will be at the forefront again this season. On paper they are as dangerous as any team in this division and bring back some key playmakers who have another year under their belt.

Sachem East

Head Coach: Ray Pickersgill

If the old saying that offensive and defensive lines win championships then Sachem East should be feeling very good about the new season. They return nearly every starter on both sides of the line for this year's squad. Not only are they experienced but they were talked about by coaches as having some of the best talent in the division. Coach Pickersgill immediately mentioned his team's biggest strength was the offensive line, who won the lineman's challenge this season. They will go into this season with a new defensive coordinator and the approach is to "think differently this year." If Vurchio can get time in the pocket he can pick apart a defense, which he showed last year ranking inside the top 10 in completions, yards and touchdown passes. Pickersgill mentioned a "brutal" schedule but if this team can navigate through it, it will be well prepared for the postseason.

Sachem North

Head Coach: Dave Caputo

Sachem North split with William Floyd last season, but they lost the Suffolk County championship game to Floyd 26-9. This season the formula is the same. Run the ball early and often behind a dynamic offensive line and a potentially game breaking RB. Last year's loss showed everyone this team can beat anyone in the division and now they have their sights set on a Suffolk title.

Connetquot

Head Coach: Mike Konsevitch Jr.

After Connetquot had their hearts broken on the final day of the season last year this team is using that as fuel. They return a good senior class that will remember that sting and their schedule in the early season lines up nicely to get some experience for their younger core.

Commack

Head Coach: Joe Reggio

The Cougars have to replace a ton of talent but we have watched this before with coach Reggio. This team rarely misses the playoffs only failing to do so 3 times in the past decade and while they have to retool quickly there is already some talk about their young team making waves right away.

Walt Whitman

Head Coach: Robin Rosa

Coach Rosa enters his 15th season with a team looking to get over .500 this season. Last year the schedule was brutal as they opened up with two games on the road and closed with 3 straight away from home. This season where they play won't matter if they can't score more points. In all of their losses they put up 21 or less points.

Lindenhurst

Head Coach: Mark Frole

Coach Frole will be making his coaching debut for Lindenhurst as the 14th coach in the school's history. The former assistant coach knows this team well and brings excitement to the program. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me and my family,” Frole said. “It feels great to coach my hometown team.” Frole takes over for Lombardo who led the Bulldogs to Long Island championships twice but had to steo down because of health concerns.

Bay Shore

Head Coach: Andrew Nevitt

Nevitt will try to navigate through his second year with a two headed QB combination this season. He has some speed on the outside and some offensive talent that can elevate the two signal callers.

Brentwood

Head Coach: Rich DeJesus

Coach DeJesus expects to have some key contributions from juniors this season and mixing that with his returning seniors makes for an interesting team to keep an eye on for a playoff bid.

Riverhead

Head Coach: Ed Grassman

After winning just two games last year this Riverhead team lost even more talent. Grassman does have some senior leaders to lean on as they will have to make up for the lost talent with their growth and development.

Central Islip

Head Coach: Eric Unverzagt

C.I. won just one game last season and while some teams get a knock for being young Islip will benefit from the youth and enthusiasm this season.

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