I’ve got stunning news. Jericho has been awarded a state championship in football. That’s right, NYSPHSAA recently announced its top scholar athlete teams from the fall season and Jericho was the best in football.

The Jayhawks may have struggled on the field, but they were champs in the classroom, boasting a state-best 95.017 academic average collectively. That’s welcome news for coach Joe Del Gais, who has worked hard at a turnaround on the turf.

Three other Long Island schools took home academic state championships. The most impressive was Farmingdale in girls swimming and diving, which posted a near-perfect 98.824 average. Glenn girls tennis was next with a 98.333 average while Cold Spring Harbor field hockey finished tops in its sport with a 95.833 average.

Way to go.

Posted by Jason Molinet at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

It’s mid-season football awards time. Today a look at Nassau Conference IV:

Coach of the Year: Valley Stream South coach Lance Griffin lost a three-time All-Nassau QB in Bryant Amitrano and his leading rusher in Dave Matthew. Both were key ingredients to last season’s 7-2 semifinalist. Yet Valley Stream South is 4-0 with impressive wins over North Shore and Malverne. The defense is playing well and Griffin found another gifted runner in Jeff Lopez.

MVP: Roosevelt RB / LB Mike Mayo is tearing through the conference for the second straight season. The back has rushed for 725 yards on 81 carries and 10 scores, including a pair of defensive touchdowns.

Unsung Hero: Few players have done more than Cold Spring Harbor senior Adam Ghitelman. He’s carried the load for a team that graduated the stars from last season’s Long Island Class IV championship run. Ghitelman is the team’s leading rusher and has scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and on special teams. He’s also a weapon at kicker.

Biggest Surprise: Locust Valley, a preseason No. 11 seed, roared out of the gate to a 3-1 start. That’s all the more impressive because the Falcons had to break in a new coaching staff. Give coach Joe Knoll credit for getting everyone on board and in sync.

Biggest Disappointment: Mineola’s offense has been close to unstoppable, averaging four touchdowns a game. But the Mustangs are 1-3 because the defense has made opposing offenses look even better. Mineola has given up 124 points -- ranking it 47th among Nassau’s 55 teams -- including a heartbreaking 50-49 loss to East Rockaway. The big play has been a killer: Mineola has given up five rushing touchdowns of 50 yards or more.

First Half Game of the Year: There were more exciting finishes, but no matchup was more meaningful than opening night at Cold Spring Harbor. Roosevelt won the game 7-0 in the rain. But the sense of fraternity and the good will flowing through the place was unmatched. That’s because Cold Spring Harbor boosters helped save Roosevelt’s season with some hefty out-of-pocket donations. That Roosevelt took the field at all -- athletics were eliminated when the school budget failed in June -- was a testament to Cold Spring Harbor’s helpful hand.

Second Half Game of the Year: Valley Stream South at Roosevelt, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. These teams also met Week 7 a year ago when VSS stunned the then-defending champs. The Rough Riders atoned in the playoffs with a 28-0 win in the semis. But this one promises to be good. Roosevelt and VSS are the last unbeaten teams in Conference IV and should remain that way heading into the season finale.

Posted by Jason Molinet at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

What Cold Spring Harbor boosters have done – reaching out to help rival Roosevelt raise enough money to keep athletics alive – is the type of feel-good story that causes everyone to take notice. But why is this the exception and not the rule?

Roosevelt, the poorest school district in relatively-wealthy Nassau, is still dramatically short of the money needed to save sports for the entire year. When the budget was voted down in June, all sports were eliminated.

Fundraising made it possible to ensure the fall season. Roosevelt needed $40,000, approximately $22,000 of which was donated by Cold Spring Harbor boosters. But Rhonda Cherry, who is at the forefront of the effort to start a booster club in Roosevelt, said another $54,000 is needed by Dec. 31 to pay off the fall and ensure winter sports at the school. Roughly $200,000 pays for the entire school year.

Which brings me back to my point. Is Cold Spring Harbor the only altruistic community out there? Sure, CSH boosters had an interest in restoring Roosevelt athletics. As CSH booster club president John Ottaviano said, “You can’t have a Conference IV without Roosevelt.’’

But there are plenty of other tony zip codes in Conference IV. Where’s the love for Roosevelt? When asked if other communities have offered help, Cherry replied: “Not a one. I’m disappointed but I’m not surprised. We’ve got to help ourselves.’’

Cherry, a member of the Parent Action Committee and former PTA president, is trying to organize the community. Part of the help Cold Spring Harbor offered was expertise in starting a booster club, along with how to run functions such as a concession stand. They are lessons Cherry and others hope to act on as soon as possible.

But in a community where there is resentment toward the school and a wide-held belief that money has been misused – there’s reportedly a $4.36 million deficit – raising the cash to save sports is the ultimate challenge, according to Cherry.

“People are scared to give money,’’ Cherry said. “They don’t think it’ll be used the right way. This money is going to sports and nothing else.’’

That’s why outside help is necessary. Cold Spring Harbor did the right thing. They helped a neighbor in need. Are they the exception and not the rule?

Posted by Jason Molinet at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)