Thank you, P.J. Preziosa, Bryan DiSabato, Lou Andre and the rest of the Lawrence football team. You just gave every underdog from here on out a blueprint for success and turned what was looking like a very lopsided Long Island championship weekend into something memorable.

Thank you, Mike Pepe, Edwin Gowins, Joe Cipp Jr. and the rest of the Bellport football team. You played like the defending Long Island Class II champs to the end. Most teams would have folded down 28-13 in the third quarter. Bellport didn’t, and even after scoring the apparent equalizer on a Gowins 1-yard run with 11:46 left, weren’t content to be tied.

No, Bellport went for two and the lead. But it wasn’t meant to be. You can’t point to any one play in a game with so many momentum shifts and big blows as the difference. Bellport didn’t lose this one.

Lawrence simply believed in itself. The Golden Tornado tuned out the hype, sized up its opponent and took its best shot. It was a Buster Douglas-type effort – stunning to the end. The most amazing stat was that a Nassau team won the Class II title for just the third time in the last 10 tries.

The night-cap was no less remarkable. Mike Mayo put Roosevelt on his back and carried the Rough Riders past Mount Sinai for the Class IV crown. He scored all three touchdowns as Roosevelt rallied from a 14-0 deficit to stun the Suffolk crowd at Stony Brook’s LaValle Stadium for the second straight game.

Those outcomes may seem incredible. But when you look at the big picture, it’s exactly as it should be. Suffolk and Nassau split their annual gridiron grudge match at two wins apiece. Balance restored.

Photos, top: Lawrence's Donovan Hutchinson celebrates; top right: Lawrence's Bryan DiSabato hold the Class II trophy; right: Roosevelt's Mike Mayo runs away from Mount Sinai.

Posted by Jason Molinet at 05:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (0)

I ran into the bulk of the Roosevelt football team accross the street from Hofstra's Shuart Stadium on Friday between Long Island championship games. They were quietly chowing down at McDonald's. If the Rough Riders didn't have a lot on their plate then -- come on, these are football players, right? -- they sure did after watching Bethpage get beat up in the Class III final. (THAT'S SAYVILLE PICTURED.)

That's right, Roosevelt. You are Nassau's only hope in avoiding a Suffolk sweep. Sorry, Lawrence. I simply can't see you beating Bellport. If you hung with the Clippers for three quarters I'd be impressed -- and that's no knock. Bellport is the defending Class II champ and one of the best teams in the state. Period.

Heck, East Meadow has been the class of Nassau all season. Yet the Jets were overwhelmed in the end. Defending Class I champ Floyd was too dynamic and that defense didn't mind knocking heads.

It was an amazing first day of LIC action. It was a great day for the fan -- particularly if you lived east of Route 110.

Suffolk won three of four LIC games a year ago and a repeat of that seems likely. Great for Suffolk, right? I say no. All the talk about Long Island staying out of the state playoffs is based on a competitive LIC. A Suffolk sweep this year and more domination the next will throw the fragile balance of it all off.

How can coaches and administrators claim that the Long Island championships are the greatest thing going if one county can't keep up with the other?

Now back to you, Roosevelt. Now you know what's at stake guys. An entire county is watching you. You are playing for Nassau pride. The truth is everyone -- outside of Mount Sinai -- should be in your corner for the nightcap on Saturday at Stony Brook.

If you are a believer in the current football system, then you realize the need for competitive balance. That's why a Roosevelt win is important. That's why everyone should root for the Rough Riders on Saturday.

Posted by Jason Molinet at 05:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBacks (0)

You have excellent school spirit and you have every right to be excited for your team. The players are intelligent and a pleasure to interview. It's about time coach Vinnie Ammirato had the chance to see his team take down Babylon. My pointed issue with a small contingent of your fan base was to criticize those who disrespect high school athletes -- I have a real problem with it. If Babylon curses your boys and throws objects, that's disgusting. I've never seen it. But the miscreants should be penalized. Sometimes it's better to be the bigger person.

Instead of insulting Babylon, celebrate Mt. Sinai. For the first time in 14 years, your football team is going back to the Long Island championship stage. Wouldn't it have been more fun to wave good bye to Babylon and applaud their exit? Good luck Saturday against Roosevelt.

Posted by Greg Sarra at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)