BY BOB HERZOG
Monday was not only the first day of high school football practice in New York State but also my first day as a high school sports writer for Newsday. So with 116 schools that play football on Long Island to choose from for an Opening Day blog, where should I go? That was a no-brainer, even for this “rookie.” When you’re riding a 33-game winning streak, you get a media blitz. It was off to William Floyd High School, camera, notebook and digital recorder in hand.
The defending Long Island Class I champion began the first of three non-contact practices with some important pieces missing, namely the All-L.I. backfield tandem of quarterback Joe Sidaras and running back Brock Jackolski. So coach Paul Longo was especially curious to see how Stephen Murphy and Vaughn Magee would do.
Murphy started at tight end last season but will start at quarterback this year. Magee backed up Jackolski in 2007and now has the starting job to himself. “Stephen was our backup quarterback last year and he came to me and asked if he could play tight end,” Longo said. “It was his idea and he did a great job. He ended up starting and was our backup quarterback. So we’re confident he’ll do a solid job.”
As for Magee, Longo has even higher expectations. “He’s a really good back. It’s just that Brock was so good that Vaughn didn’t get many chances,” Longo said. “But we’re expecting really big things. He’s quick and can get to that second level.”
Even in non-contact drills, Magee’s speed was evident. And when practice wrapped up with those dreaded wind sprints, Magee easily outdistanced the pack, running only against other running backs, presumably among the fastest of the offensive players. [That’s Magee in the red shorts.]
I asked Longo what he was looking for on the first day. “It’s a little harder this year,” he acknowledged, “because we lost a lot of good people. I’m looking for who’s hustling, because we’re not hitting yet. Who’s going to be a pleasant surprise? Then, eventually, we have to cut more than 20 guys. It’s the only part of coaching I don’t like. We’ve got more than 70 guys out here and we plan to keep about 48. There are some good kids who we just can’t keep.”
Everybody should have his problems.
Tomorrow, Zog’s tour of the football camps goes to Sachem North.
Comments (6)
we are finally starting practices at the same time as the rest of NYS and the sky isn't falling! We've heard for years that weather, lax camps, summer jobs etc. wouldn't allow us to start now which was why we couldn't join the state tournament. Glad to see things have changed but now we have 8 teams per conference in the playoffs instead of allowing non-league games such at St. Ants-Floyd, etc...Do we really need to see a number 1 seed demolish a number 8 seed instead of some of the intriguing matchups that could kickoff the season at Hoftstra or Stony Brook????
I personally think Half Hollow Hills West will be the best team on Long Island this season.. Whay are your thoughts?
guys there iz one team that will b unstopable this year and that St. Anthony's. I agree with J I that hills west will be good but not the best. floyd will still be better then them.
to who said hhhw is the team to beat on long island this season is 100% WRONG!. to be the best on long island you gotta adlest be the best in your division. which isnt you. the top team in my eyes this year with talent and will take l.i.c for its division with a perfect record will be riverhead
dalers are going all the way hhhw sike
riverhead does have some talent this year i give them that but u cant call an l.i.c now when they have west i and bellport on their schedules which are 2 teams who are absolutely capable of upseting them