Division III
Rocky Point
Head Coach: Anthony DiLorenzo
The Eagles had major injury issues last season and lost a good chunk of their team. This year they are healthy and one of those returning will be their QB Peyton Reisinger. He was slated to be the starter as a sophomore last year before the injury. He will have an offense that goes four deep at receiver and all are playmakers when they get their targets and Cristian Romerowill be running behind a solid line. The defense will have to step up to get them into the playoffs, but just some better injury luck and this team will improve from last year.
Smithtown West
Head Coach: Craig Perrino
Last season no team lost more starters than West did, but this year those players who filled pivotal roles all return. That begins with star QB Nick DeVito. DeVito was named the overall skills champion at the QB Challenge this summer, which now puts him on a path as the best QB on Long Island. That is a great building block. He isn't alone though as halfback and linebacker Nick Zins has already committed to Ithaca on the back of his strong play and he will pair with Michael Cascione to make a great 1-2 punch in the backfield. This team can throw, it can run and certainly play good defense. They will be in the mix for the top spot in the division.
Comsewogue
Head Coach: Sean Tremblay
The always running Tremblay coached team should take to the air more with Nick Saladino behind center. Saladino adds an element to the team that can stretch the field and with an aggressive defensive line they should put pressure on the opposing QBs as well. They are a well rounded team and can take the next step after heading to the playoffs the last two years.
Eastport-South Manor
Head Coach: Guy Buckley
Guy Buckley made the playoffs in his first season and he will look to ride his momentum back into the playoffs once again. They are a run first team and have speed on the outside as well as the power game. This team wore opponents down late last year and we can expect the same conditioning with the second year coach.
Half Hollow Hills West
Head Coach: Gerald Filardi
Joseph Filardi is gone and most think he left a massive hole. But, their new signal caller Luke Taff really turned heads at the QB Challenge this summer. He finished 2nd overall and now enters an offense that knows how to, and designs game plans, to utilize that QB play. They also lost some key players at prime positions but their team still has talent on both sides of the ball. When asked about replacing those names Coach Filardi said, "We have names, we have all sorts of names coming back." His team certainly looked the part at media day as they were the only team adorned in full suits, rather than football jerseys. They told me that was because when Coach Filardi was at Penn State that is what college teams wore to media day and you can see this is a no nonsense approach to the season. West looks dialed in already.
Westhampton
Head Coach: Bryan Schaumloffel
Coach Schaumloffel spoke about experience in our interview and made sure to mention his offensive line. That line brings back a lot of talent and a lot of weight as they are a big and physical line. Coach also pointed at his 2nd year QB Jake Calloway. He said "He was great in the second half, and he is a leader." The dual sport standout (he is a major lacrosse recruit) told me that he "loves both sports and can't wait to get out there." While the offense should click right away the defense is bringing back almost all of the starters so that unit could carry them as well. This should be a big year for Westhampton.
Sayville
Head Coach: Robert Hoss
What is old is new again for Sayville this year. Coach Robert Hoss takes over for Reade Sands, who retired. Hoss is not in unfamiliar territory as he returns to coaching Sayville. He had great success with them leading them to five Long Island Class III championships in 15 year. He takes over a team with a ton of seniors manning key positions, none bigger than at QB where Patrick Coanwill lead the way. The track record of the program and coach is there for this team to have another deep playoff run.
Harborfields
Head Coach: Rocco Colucci
There were big expectations for Harborfields last year but injuries derailed those fast. This year there is turnover at key positions that will have to mix in quickly to get back over .500. QB Landon Paulino will lead a group of seniors that happen to be first time starters and should be able to close that learning gap quickly.
Hauppauge
Head Coach: Chris Diesso
Coach Diesso enters his third season and he brings with an offense that should once again be explosive. Much like some other teams injuries hurt this team after a fast start and with some health this offense can carry them to big things. If the defense can get right they will have a very good season.
Islip
Head Coach: Jamie Lynch
Islip went back to Division three last season after spending one season in Division four and put together a solid 7-3 season. They have a good passing defense that should play a big role this year and their defense overall should be the cornerstone of this team. With a new QB and some new offensive pieces the offense will have to gel fast to get them back to the same lofty record. But, they have experienced line play that will help the QB transition.
East Hampton
Head Coach: Joe McKee
While many teams are dealing with roster turnover this season and replacing seniors at key spots, East Hampton returns the most starters in the division and should be ready to hit the ground running. Their team will look like the same units as last year, which was a playoff squad and with that senior leadership they could be in for a big playoff run.
Amityville
Head Coach: Jason Epps
Coach Epps replaced his coaching staff last year and while the team looked more focused it just didn't show in the wins column. This season they have strength back at running back and some talent on defense. Their young QB could be the difference maker, he is a talented youngster that will have to learn at the upper levels quickly if they want to get closer to .500.
West Islip
Head Coach: Steve Mileti
Coach Mileti has made this team a perennial playoff contender but last year went bad quickly. This season he returns with a senior laden team led by QB TJ Sonnenbergand things should be looking up for West Islip.
Wyandanch
Head Coach: Rich Slattery
Coach Slattery takes over the reins after coaching for 12 years he understands the rebuild that must happen. He has reached out asking for 100% commitment from the players and with that he can rebuild a program that has won just two games in the past two seasons. Expect a designed rushing attack to lead the way and a disciplined football team.