High School Football

BY GREGG SARRA

This was about dominance. This was about getting smacked in the mouth and having no response. Longwood went into Holbrook and dismantled the Sachem North defense -- they embarassed the Flaming Arrows defense in front of a hugh homecoming crowd.

Longwood was so efficient you wonder how they lost to Floyd. But Floyd's real good -- so four turnovers against the Colonials spells certain defeat. Longwood was so good, that when the defense came up with a huge goal line stand and stopped Sachem at the one yard line -- you just knew the Lions were going to drive the length of the field and go 99 yards for another score. Is Longwood that good offensively?

Here's what you need to know about Longwood. Eddie Wess is a three-year starting quarterback. Last night at Sachem North was his coming out party. He could do no wrong -- and when he misfired on a pass or two -- his teammates made great catches. His timing on the option was mint. His running was strong and decisive for key yardage.

The backfield is loaded. You want some thunder and lightning, you got it. Moses White will run you over in the middle of the field. The kid's a big time hitter. Nick Esposito is the flash and he's the guy that will run right by the defense. Add a little of underclassmen Walter Miles, perhaps, the fastest kid in the county, and you have the dynamics of instant offense.

The offensive line is young, undersized and durable. They were great. They opened holes all night and will continue to improve as the season wears on making them a legit threat to win to the county title. The coaching left little to the imagination -- they were on their A game. They went deep into the playbook and made so many of the right calls on checks at the line of scrimmage, you kind of wondered if they could see into the future.

As for Sachem North; they have a ton of talent and will get it figured out at some point. The coaches were miffed at Longwood's ability to run rampant over the Arrows defense. They'll correct that. But the schedule is unforgiving. Up next is Connetquot and Floyd, two brutally physical teams.

Sachem's Craig Geoghan is clearly one of the best players in the county. But he's getting beat up early in games and that will hurt the Sachem offense as the season marches on. Geoghan is very aggressive on defense and makes a lot of tackles. He needs help -- and it starts with the young defensive corps around him. What a great division.