The annual Long Island vs. New York City All Star High School football games was back this season and it did not disappoint anyone on the island.
After a five year layoff, this weekend they played some football at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium in the newly named National Football Foundation All-Star Classic. The game pits the best football players from the island against those from the city and this year Long Island won convincingly 33-15.
The teams were decked out in uniforms of one of the biggest rivalries in sports as Long Island donned uniforms that looked just like the Ohio State Buckeye's away jerseys, while New York City was in the Michigan Wolverine colors and schemes. If you glanced down at the field it looked just like a weekend in the fall at the Big House.
This year's newly named game has taken over for the old game which was called the 'Empire Challenge'. That had been going strong for 24 years and was organized by the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Because of Covid there hasn't been a game played in this manner since then but the National Football Foundation’s New York City chapter, led by president Marc Hudak, stepped in to organize the game, with support from the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Riddell. Riddell provided all 100 players with custom-fit Axiom helmets, and they looked great with the Buckeye vs. Wolverines look.
Long Island was led by Islip's quarterback Brady Nash, who earned the game’s Most Valuable Player honors. He completed 10-of-14 passes for 177 yards. Locally Half Hollow Hills West's receiver Jesse Brooks had a nice day with a 21 yard TD catch.