The top seeded William Floyd Colonials continued their quest for another championship with a dominant 34-14 victory over Sachem East in the Section XI quarterfinals this weekend. The Colonials displayed their trademark balance and strength in all phases of the game — offense, defense, and special teams — to advance to the semifinals, with their star players shining brightly on the day.
While the final score reflected Floyd’s control, this matchup was far more competitive than the regular season meeting between the two teams. In that earlier contest, more than a month ago, the Colonials cruised to a 34-0 shutout. With the win this weekend, Floyd has now outscored Sachem East 68-14 over their two meetings this season.
Leading the charge once again was star RB Ja’Quan Thomas, the team’s MVP and one of the best players on the island and New York State. Thomas rushed for nearly 150 yards on just nine carries and scored two touchdowns, showcasing his trademark explosiveness and vision.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jayden Johnson was a force, recording eight tackles and a sack, setting the tone early with his physical play. Jake Rivera added six tackles and three sacks, wreaking havoc in the Sachem backfield and helping the Colonials control the line of scrimmage throughout the afternoon.
The Colonials’ complete performance reflected the team’s discipline and depth — hallmarks of head coach Paul Longo’s program. Floyd’s offense clicked efficiently, the defense swarmed to the ball, and special teams contributed key field position all game long.
With the win, William Floyd advances to host No. 4 Longwood next week in the Suffolk County Division I semifinals. A victory there would send the Colonials back to the Suffolk County Championship Game, where they’ll look to continue their pursuit of yet another title in their storied history.