High School Football

Floyd is ranked No. 25 in the latest Sports Illustrated national poll. Andy Slawson has the story. Click here to read it.

Here's the latest edition of the N-Zone with host Joe Fernandez. Check out highlights from all of last weekend's Long Island Championship games. Watch Floyd, East Islip, Islip and Amityville take home the titles.

Jeff Gold has the story on Floyd and Islip earning the top spots in the final polls. Below are the complete rankings.

LARGE SCHOOLS POLL

Team (No. 1 votes) Rec Pts

1. Floyd (6) 11-0 60
2. East Islip 11-0 53
3. St. Anthony’s 10-1 49
4. Lawrence 10-1 41
5. Farmingdale 10-1 37
6. Longwood 8-2 23
7. Garden City 8-2 21
8. Baldwin 7-3 18
9. West Islip 7-3 15
10. Freeport 6-3 7
Other votes: Patchogue-Medford 4, Riverhead 2.

SMALL SCHOOLS POLL

Team (No. 1 votes) Rec Pts

1. Islip (6) 11-0 60
2. Amityville 9-2 54
3. Bethpage 9-2 48
4. Wantagh 9-1 37
5. Seaford 10-1 33
6. Babylon 8-2 27
7. Hills West 7-3 26
8. Sayville 6-3 15
9. Malverne 8-2 14
10. Plainedge 6-3 13
Other votes: Locust Valley 2, Rocky Point 1.

Note: The committee of voters consists of Gregg Sarra, Andy Slawson, Jeff Gold, Jack White, Pete Blieberg and Kevin Hanifan.

Newsday's Kimberley Martin has a feature on the Kriss brothers of Islip, Tom and Matt. Tom is a kicker who handles field goals and kickoffs and Matt is a punter. Below is a video of the identical twins, shot by Newsday's Katie Strang.

BY MARC JIMENEZ

“I couldn’t be any prouder of them,” Floyd coach Paul Longo said. “Our offense and defense has been very strong this year. It seemed like our guys just got better and better each game. I’m very proud to win three Long Island Championships.”

“I don’t think [the win] has sunk in yet,” Joe Sidaras said. “Farmingdale is a great team, but when Floyd is playing its best, no one can play with us. It was an awesome ride. I can’t believe it is over.”

“I just want to cry now,” said Brock Jackolski on the win. “To win 33 games [in a row] is just a great feeling. We came out today the hardest we possible could.”

BY MARC JIMENEZ

Hey folks! I’m here for the Farmingdale and Floyd game as well and I can’t wait for this one to begin. Two undefeated and talented teams squaring off for the Long Island Class I crown. Oh man, this should be good!

It will be interesting to see if Farmingdale’s Tashawn Arthur shows any effects from injuring his back in last week’s 21-14 win over Baldwin in the Nassau Conference I championship game. Arthur told me he will wear a back plate and extra padding to protect his back. But even if Arthur and quarterback Steve Probst are 100% healthy, I wonder if anyone can stop Floyd. We’ll know for sure in a few hours.

Who do you think will win? Any predictions? Kickoff is in 13 minutes. Stay tuned.

4:24 pm -- Both teams are entering the field. Floyd is wearing green with a white trim and Farmingdale is in white. The sun is setting and the temperature will likely drop.

4:34 -- Kickoff is just underway.

4:36 -- Farmingdale won the coin toss and will receive.

4:38 -- Farmingdale will start at the 9 after an eight-yard return.

4:41 -- Farmingdale went three and out on two runs by Derek Godwin and one by Steve Probst.

4:42 -- Farmingdale punted it and the punt hit Floyd's Vaughn Magee. Anthony Ostrander recovered for Farmingdale at its 38.

4:45 -- Farmingdale went three-and-out, punted, and Floyd took over from its 46 with 9:10 left in the first.

4:46 -- Floyd's Steve Murphy caught a 33 yard TD pass from Joe Sidaras as the Colonials take a 7-0 lead with 8:10.

4:48 -- Farmingdale will start at its 20.

4:49 -- Probst just had a 25-yard run. Farmingdale is at its 45 with 8:00 to go in the first.

4:50 -- Derek Godwin fumbled and Calvin Forbes recovered as Floyd takes over at its 48.

4:51 -- Brock Jackolski's 22 yard run puts Floyd on top, 13-0, with 7:27 in the first. Extra point was no good.

4:56 -- Farmingdale went three-and-out. Floyd takes over at its 49 with 7:00 in the first

5:01 -- Sidaras scored on a 15-yard QB keeper as Floyd goes on top, 20-0, with 5:28.

BY MARC JIMENEZ

This game really came down to the wire. Congratulations to both teams. They each played well and should be recognized for their work. Islip notched its first Long Island title, but the Bucs weren’t assured victory until late in the fourth.

Following a Malcolm Brown fumble with 2:27 left, Bethpage took over at its 31 and were in good position to go ahead, but give credit to Chris Kmieciak, who picked off Greg Miller and sealed a 14-12 win for Islip.

What are your thoughts on the game? Do you think Bethpage should have tried a field goal when they had a chance in the second quarter? It would have been a 37-yarder.

Lynch: “We felt very comfortable playing in this type of game. Never in a million years did I think we would be Long Island Champions. The kids wanted to stay perfect all year and that’s what they did."

On Casalaro's block of Bethpage’s extra point: "Tyler made a huge play. I’m a huge believer in momentum and that play turned out to be the play of the game."

Brown: "This is the first time in four seasons I’ve made the playoffs and it has finally paid off. We played tough and now we’re L.I. champs.This is great! "

BY MARC JIMENEZ

Here we go. We're at Stony Brook University for the Class III title game between Bethpage and Islip. Bethpage is wearing the gold with black and white numbers. Islip is in its black and purple. The temperature is just above freezing but there's virtually no wind -- a rarity here in Stony Brook.

We'll be back with the opening kickoff. This promises to be exciting. Can Bethpage get Nassau and the 516 its first win of this year's Long Island championships? Stay tuned.

(12:17) -- Bethpage received the ball first and started on its 17-yard line. Kevin Glueckert had a 28-yard run and was tackled at the 1. Joe Loria punched it in for the TD. Islip’s Tyler Casalaro blocked the extra point as Bethpage took a 6-0 lead. Bethpage used a 15-play, 83-yard drive that took 7:30.

(12:26) -- Islip didn’t wait any time responding. Malcolm Brown broke a 20-yard scamper to tie the game at 6 before Tom Kriss’ extra point put Islip on top, 7-6. John Lamonica chipped in a 14-yard run as the Buccaneers went 80 yards in just seven plays with 90 second left in the first quarter.

(12:31) End of the first: Islip 7, Bethpage 6. So far, it looks like Bethpage will have a hard trouble stopping Islip’s offense.

Bethpage’s Glueckert ran 6 times for 57 yards while Islip’s Brown had 4 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown.

(12:36) -- Bethpage is at the 50 yard line and with 11 minutes in the second. Derek Buondelmonte just picked up a first down on a 6-yard run and Glueckert just ran for 17 more as Bethpage is now at the 19.

BY MARCUS HENRY

I've just finished eating my second helping of crow. Yes, I picked Seaford over Amityville. And yes, I did write Seaford had a 1985 Bears-style defense (frankly, no player on either team was alive when the Bears were that good). But here's my reasoning on the pick.

First: Eight shutouts. Say what you want about Conference IV. Eight shutouts in 10 games in impressive in any Conference or Division. Seaford had a great season and you can't take that from them.

Second: Amityville went into Saturday's game without its top running back, Cornell Warrick. Warrick had over 1,000 yards on the ground. Going into a game without your top runner is a lot to ask, especially against a defense that had given up just 21 points in 10 games. Not too mention in Amityville's two losses, the Warriors looked terrible. Even some of the players admitted they have an awful week of practice leading up to that game.

But in the end I was wrong. Marcus Gardner and Tyler Heller were excellent. And that senior-dominated offensive line was tremendous. Hats off to Amityville...

All of that notwithstanding, I stand by my pick for reasons stated above.

And one more thing, how many people thought Lawrence would upset Bellport last season? Not many outside of the Lawrence community.

BY JEFF GOLD

In our pregame contest, no one came particuarly close to predicting an accurate final score in East Islip's 35-7 win over Lawrence. One reader who did not submit a first and last name submitted a 31-24 guess and he was the closest.

Here was his post:

east islip- 31
lawrence- 24

east islip will grind it out running the ball. Go ahead TD in 4th by dennis drywa to win it!!

Congratulations.

Here are some postgame quotes from East Islip vs. Lawrence

East Islip coach Sal J. Ciampi: "I'm ecstatic for the kids. They deserve it. Starting in June, they've been very professional. We had a game plan and we stuck to it. The kids executed it perfectly and that is veteran leadership. There hasn't been a moment all year when they've disappointed me. This is unbeliebvable for our community. It's great for the kids."

East Islip quarterback Rob Calabrese: "It all starts in the weight room and everyone is a part of that. Nobody likes to get hit so it's better to deliver a hit."

Boomer Esiason (East Islip 1979 graduate, 1988 NFL MVP): "I think this is terrific. I'm very proud of them, especially the way they handled themselves at the end of the game. Any time your old school is involved, it's fantastic."

Lawrence coach Lou Andre: "We couldn't get the ball. We knew they'd be tough running the ball. Calabrese is a great quarterback. He's a big tough kid who does a great job. We knew he was going to bring it. I'm extremely proud of my group. County champs back-to-back is tough to do and I'm very proud."

Here is the box score are some pertinent final stats from the East Islip vs. Lawrence Class II Long Island Championship.

East Islip 13, 15, 7, 0 - 35
Lawrence 7, 0, 0, 0 - 7

EI: Brown 1 run (S. Moller kick)
L: Stewart 64 pass from Preziosa (Bolanos kick)
EI: Calabrese 1 run (kick failed)
EI: T. Moller 13 pass from Calabrese (S. Moller kick)
EI: T. Moller 15 pass from Calabrese (S. Moller kick)
EI: T. Moller 97 run (S. Moller kick)

East Islip
Rob Calabrese: 15 rushes, 104 yards, 1 TD. Passing: 6-10, 82 yards, 2 TDs.
Tim Moller: 7 rushes, 149 yards, 1 TD. 3 receptions, 50 yards, 2 TDs.
Jimmy Brown: 18 rushes, 58 yards, 1 TD.
Dennis Drywa: 7 tackles, 1 interception.
Corey Gee: 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery.
Dan Matos: 5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery.

Lawrence
P.J. Preziosa: 6 rushes, 30 yards. Passing: 10-21, 177 yards, 1 TD.
Mike Santisteban: 6-8, 47 yards.
Justin Fredericks: 11 rushes, 28 yards.
Conrad Stewart: 6 receptions, 109 yards.
John Daniel: 9 tackles.

BY JEFF GOLD

Here we go:

(4:34): Lawrence got the ball to start, and fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Lawrence's Travis Kennedy fumbled on a reverse which was recovered by East Islip's Dan Matos on the Lawrence 30. East Islip is now driving.

(4:39): East Islip 7, Lawrence 0. Jimmy Brown scores on 4th-and-goal from the 1 and Sean Moller converts the extra point to put East Islip up 7-0 with 7:49 left in the first quarter.

(4:44): East Islip 7, Lawrence 7: P.J. Preziosa hit Conrad Stewart on a 64-yard TD pass and Vidal Bolanos hit the extra point to tie it. On the pass, Rob Calabrese seemed in good position to make an interception, but Stewart cut in front of him at the last second for the grab. This game is off to an incredible start.

(4:50): East Islip 13, Lawrence 7: Calabrese scored on a 1-yard QB keeper but Moller missed the extra point. The drive went 6 plays, 65 yards, highlighted by a 46-yard run by Calabrese. Defense anyone?

(4:55): Rob Calabrese's interception on East Islip's 38 gave EI possession. EI now has the ball on its own 47 with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.

(5:06): East Islip 20, Lawrence 7: Calabrese hit Tim Moller on a play-action 13-yard TD pass with 10:29 left in the half. At this point, Calabrese has 80 rushing yards on seven carries. Lawrence appears to have no answer for East Islip's offense.

(5:12): East Islip has regained possession after Dennis Drywa forced a fumble by Justin Fredericks on East Islip's 26-yard line. The ball popped up and was caught by EI's Corey Gee on the 23. After a first down, East Islip has the ball, 1st and 10 on its own 34 with 6:30 left in the half. Lawrence NEEDS a stop on this drive.

(5:22): East Islip is driving. It has the ball 1st and 10 on Lawrence's 40 with 2:40 left in the half. East Islip is 5-for-6 on third down.

BY JEFF GOLD

East Islip and Lawrence have begun warm-ups.

Lawrence is in blue jerseys and yellow pants. East Islip is wearing white jerseys and white pants.

But here's the real difference: All of Lawrence's players are in long sleeves. EI's players are all in short sleeves.

Is this a really dumb move by EI or just some good old-fashioned intimidation?

Some quick pregame thoughts from both coaches:

EI's Sal J. Ciampi: "We'd really like to limit Lawrence's possessions. They're pretty explosive. They make plays. Our mentality has evolved a little bit throughout the year and we've become a little bit more of a power football team. I think we can do a little bit of everything."

Lawrence's Lou Andre: "I think East Islip gets off the ball very well on offense. I really like watching their offensive line. They're a very well-coached team. I think it's going to be a tough go."

Don't forget to make predictions on our previous blog post. HURRY!!!!

I'll be providing updates throughout the game.

BY JEFF GOLD

We're over two hours away from kickoff of the Class II Long Island championship between East Islip and Lawrence.

Let's get a prediction forum going.

Pick the score, post your name, and include one sentence of analysis if you'd like. Whoever comes closest wins and I'll put your name in REALLY BIG CAPITAL LETTERS at the end of the game. Not much of a prize, I know, but whatever. Let's get it going.

I'll start.

East Islip 24, Lawrence 21. Late field goal by Sean Moller.

BY GREGG SARRA

So Seaford shut out eight of 10 opponents. That didn't seem to faze the Warriors in the Long Island Class IV championship game. The Amityville speed was too much for the Vikings. Marcus Gardner and Tyler Heller ran all over the Vikings defense. They came out and marched right down the field on the first possession. It was 80 yards in six plays and served notice that this wasn't to be a shutout and it was going to be a long day for Seaford.

We all thought the Seaford defense was impenetrable but obviously the speed of the Amityville team on the turf is something else. Gardner was awesome again, as he had 25 carries for 218 yards. Heller had 11 carries for 107 yards.

The real Warrior on the field may have been linebacker Reggie Robinson. He looked like he was injured early in the second quarter and hobbled throughout most of the final three quarters. It slowed him a little but he still made big hits and his presence was inspiring. His hit on fourth and goal from the one inch line on quarterback John Carney preserved the shutout.

Well, Amityville proved all of the guys who picked the game wrong. They're really good and did a terrific job to earn the title. Coach Chris Taylor has done a phenomenal job of putting together a classy group of kids who are Long Island champions. Congratulations.

BY DARREN SANDS

11:50 - The P.A. announcer has just begun his monologue and is announcing the rosters...

11:57 - The National Anthem has finished. Kickoff is in a few minutes.

Here's a quick preview: The wind is whipping, but it won't be a factor since neither Seaford nor Amityville passes the ball a lot. Look for Seaford to put pressure on Amityville signal-caller Marcus Gardner...Without top running back Cornell Warrick, the pressure will be on Gardner to carry the offense.

Seaford won the coin toss and deferred. Amityville will receive.

12:03 -- Touchback...Amityville takes over on the 20...

12:10 -- So much for a shutout. Marcus Gardner scored on an 9-yard run and ran in the conversion to give Amityville an 8-0 lead. Amityville's drive went 80 yards on six plays.

Tyler Heller ran for 44 yards on the drive.

12:12 -- Seaford is facing a third and five at its own 41. Nick Barbuto welcome to Reggie Reggie Robinson's world. Huge hit for no gain and Seaford will punt.

12:15 -- The punt rolls dead at the Amityville 9. Three and out, Amityville punts from its own end zone for 16 yards and Seaford takes over at the 23.

12:19 -- On a third down and six play, quarterback John Carney to wide receiver Mike Sapracone who pitches to Nick Barbuto on a hook and ladder for 11 yards to the 6. First and goal. Seaford cannot run against this Amityville defense. Everything inside is getting stopped. Passes on third and fourth down to not yield a score and Amityville takes over at its own 4.

12:29 -- Marcus Gardner has 110 yards on nine carries. It's Amityville 8, Seaford 0 with the ball on the Seaford 15.

Check out a replay of the N-Zone Live! Joe Fernandez and Gregg Sarra answer your questions about Long Island high school football.

The penultimate week of the high school football season featured some fantastic finishes in the CHSFL and county title games. Joe Fernandez has it all covered in this week's edition of the N-Zone.

LARGE SCHOOLS POLL

Team (No. 1 votes) Rec Pts

1. Floyd (6) 10-0 60
2. Lawrence 10-0 50
3. St. Anthony’s 10-1 47
4. East Islip 10-0 45
5. Farmingdale 10-0 38
6. Longwood 8-2 22
7. Garden City 8-2 21
8. Baldwin 7-3 20
9. West Islip 7-3 16
10. Freeport 6-3 8
Other votes: Riverhead 2, Patchogue-Medford 1.

SMALL SCHOOLS POLL

Team (No. 1 votes) Rec Pts

1. Islip (5) 10-0 59
2. Seaford (1) 10-0 54
3. Bethpage 9-1 49
4. Wantagh 9-1 39
5. Amityville 8-2 35
6. Babylon 8-2 27
7. Hills West 7-3 24
8. Malverne 8-2 15
9. Plainedge 6-3 13
10. Sayville 6-3 12
Other votes: Locust Valley 2, Rocky Point 1.

Note: The committee of voters consists of Gregg Sarra, Andy Slawson, Jeff Gold, Jack White, Pete Blieberg and Kevin Hanifan.

Hey everyone! We're at Hofstra for the CHSFL AAA title game. St. Anthony's is going for its seventh straight league championship. The Mt. is the only team to beat St. Anthony's this year ending the Friars 64-game winning streak in the regular season against CHSFL opponents.

St. Anthony's will receive the opening kickoff. The weather is perfect for football.
J.B. Andreassi takes the opening kickoff 45 yards to the Mount 41. The Friars keyed by a 10-yard pass from quarterback James Brady to wide receiver Pat Fiorvanti are ready to strike. seven straight running plays and Bill Ruggiero scores from two yards out. The kick fails and St. Anthony's leads 6-0 with 7:43 left in the first quarter.
UPDATED 4:28
The Mount came right back. A 14-play, 79-yard scoring march capped by quarterback Jayson Holt's 3-yard run. The Mountaineers go for two and the run is stopped by Scott Vallone. We're tied at 6 with 51 seconds left in the first quarter.

UPDATED 5 p.m.
The St. Anthony's defense continues to struggle with the speed of the Mount offense, mainly quarterback Jayson Holt. His elusiveness keys another 79-yard scoring march. Holt scores on a 16-yard run on a fourth down and three play. He went option left and see ya!!!. The two-point conversion failed when safety J.B. Andreassi crushed Isiah Moody at the goalline.

UPDATED 5:07 p.m.
St. Anthony's responds to the Mount go-ahead touchdown with another score. The Friars go 64 yards in six plays as James Brady passes 19 yards to Atiq Lucas and Lucas runs around the right end on an option for another 20 yards. Billy Ruggiero scores on a 9-yard run and we're tied at 12. The snap for the kick is high and there is no conversion.

It's halftime and the score is 12-12.

UPDATED 5:36 p.m.
Halftime is over -- boy is it over.
The Mount came out and returned the seocnd half kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. That's right -- Isiah Moody took off down the visitor sideline and went 98 yards for the score. The two-point conversion pass from Holt to Tom Cardona makes it 20-12 with 11:46 left in the third quarter.
Mt. St. Michael 20, St. Anthony's 12

UPDATED 5:45
St. Anthony's come right back. Brady engineers a five-play 52-yard drive, capped by an Atiq Lucas 25-yard touchdown run. the two-point conversion pass is batted down and the Mount now leads 20-18 with 9:22 left in the third quarter.
Mt. St. Michael 20, St. Anthony's 18

UPDATED 5:51
Holt just ran 61 yards to the St. Anthony's 13 with 9:14 left. Could the reign be over?
UPDATED 5:55
Maybe not. St. Anthony's forces afumble at the 9 yardline and Paul Allessandri recovers for the Friars. But time is a factor.

St. Anthony's punts and there is 6:44 left. But the St. Anthony's defense needs to rise here and stop Holt and the speedy Mountaineers.

UPDATED 6:02
DEFENSE, DEFENSE for the Friars. They force a fumble and it's recovered by Scott Vallone, who is having a monster game, at the Mount 39. On the very next play, Nick Mercurio collects the pitch from Brady on the option left and splits two defenders, jumps outside, and runs 39 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 4:37 left. Lucas takes it around right end for the two-point conversion run and it's 26-20.
This is an incredible championship football game. My thoughts -- how did the Mount lose five games this year.

UPDATED 6:11 p.m.
The Mount is at the St. Antrhony's 23 yardline with 1:40 left. First and 10 stay tuned.

UPDATED 6:15 p.m.
An illegal participation penalty moved the ball back to the Mount's 38. But a big 16-yard run puts the Mount back at the St. Anthony's 22 and it's fourth down and nine with 1:10 left. This is the biggest play of the game -- this is it.

Holt rolls right and finds no one open. He scrambles back and picks up a block before Vallone gets a piece of him at the 18 before John Burk and Rob raymond bury him at the 16 -- Game over

Seven consecutive titles for the Friars.

Final score. St. Anthony's 26, Mt. St. Michael 20

Was just on the field finishing up postgame interviews where we got word that Farmingdale quarterback Steve Probst will start tonight against Baldwin. Probst suffered a high ankle sprain nearly three weeks ago. Asked how the ankle was feeling, Probst said that he was "feeling good. It feels good."

We were told that Probst can't really run, but no one here expected him to be in uniform, either. We'll see how he holds up.

Twenty-five minutes to kickoff.

UPDATE (9:46) -- My apologies for the lack of updates, our editors at Newsday would flip if they knew I was constantly updating the blog while writing on deadline. Right now it's 14-7, Farmingdale with four minutes left in the first half. This game had quite an electric start -- a Baldwin defender went right for Steve Probst's injured ankle and was swiftly ejected from the game. Probst shook it off and the Dalers went down the field and scored to make the score 7-0.

Dalers fans went NUTS.

We'll be back.

UPDATE (10:23) -- Jovan Finch scored on a 4-yard touchdown with 0:07 left in the half to tie the score at 14. Third quarter is almost underway. I'm off deadline so I'll be here for you, my loyal readers. What are you doing inside on a Saturday night anyway?

UPDATE (10:34) -- Score is still knotted at 14, and the Dalers are driving with 5:15 to go in the third. Tashawn Arthur, Farmingdale's star running back has been on the ground for five minutes after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit. They are likely trying to stabilize him, but it's definitely a somber mood here at Shuart Stadium. We'll be back.

UPDATE (10:39) Arthur just walked off the field with help, hardly under his own power. He's now up walking and, apparently, yelling at someone who was just escorted out of the stadium. Very bizarre. Arthur seems to be all right, and with 3:46 left in the third, the Dalers went up 21-14 with Tom Jackson's 1-yard run. Can Baldwin respond?

UPDATE (10:50) -- Probst just threw a beautiful -- and that's the only real way to describe it -- 41-yard pass to Travis Lyons on third and 8. The Dalers are driving on the Baldwin 36 with 0:34 remaining in the third quarter.

UPDATE (10:52) -- End of the third here at Hofstra. If Probst can score here, it's probably going to go down as one of the more gutsy performances Farmingdale has seen in recent memory. Ball is on the Baldwin 26.

UPDATE (10:55) -- If you told me Tashawn Arthur was going to enter the game again, I'd have said you were lying. But Arthur is back. Word is that he suffered a back injury, not a head or neck injury. Farmingle just missed a 42-yard field goal attempt. With 10:28 remaining, Farmingdale is still up 21-14. Baldwin will start from its own 20-yard line.

UPDATE (11:10) -- Dalers are driving on the Baldwin 37 -- still 21-14, Farmingdale -- and its fourth down. Baldwin will get the ball back on Farmingdale's first punt of the game. With 3:27 left, Baldwin will start from its own 4.

96 yards. Three minutes. That's what Baldwin has to do to tie the game.

UPDATE (11:20) -- Baldwin is wasting too much time. A short pass to Joe Ednie gained no yardage. Baldwin didn't call a timeout. 18 seconds left with the ball on its own 44. Third down and 26 from its own 38 because Baldwin was called for holding. Nine seconds left.

UPDATE (11:25) -- Farmingdale wins, 21-14. Gatorade shower on Krumenacker. What a great performance by Farmingdale. I'm down for postgame interviews.

Hey, folks. Welcome to Hofstra's Shuart Stadium for the Conference III Championship. We're getting settled in here as both teams have completed pre-game warm ups. Head coaches Keith Sachs and Howie Vogts were both spotted giving interviews on the field, and right now we're about five minutes from kickoff as both teams are being introduced.

It's a gorgeous night here -- about 40 degrees and nowhere near as windy as it was last night. We're here for periodic updates all night. Enjoy.

UPDATE (5:52) -- Bethpage's Greg Miller scored on quarterback keeper concluding a 16-play, 74-yard drive on which Bethpage went for it on fourth down on the last play. There's now 11:55 remaining on the clock in the second quarter. Boy, Bethpage quarterback Greg Miller faked so well on the option on nearly every play on the drive, fooling this reporter and obviously a couple of Wantagh linebackers. Rob Cafiero kicked the extra point, it's 7-0, Bethpage.

UPDATE (6:03) -- Bethpage went for it on fourth down again, but Wantagh stopped Bethpage's Joe Loria at the one-yard line. Huge stop for the Wantagh defense and its morale. Wantagh's Vinny Polo just ran 10 yards for a first down to get the ball of out of dangerous territory. Polo will have to get it going to spark the Wantagh offense. Looks like he's heating up.

UPDATE (6:17) -- A statisician just announced that Derek Buondelmonte and Kevin Glueckert* have 14 carries and 107 yards between them. Gives you an idea for how methodical Bethpage's running game is this point.

*Not Vinny Polo.
UPDATE (6:20) -- Kevin Glueckert scored on a 10-yard run, culminating a 10-play, 63-yard drive with 1:08 remaining in the half. I think it took Bethpage all of two seconds to get into formation and run the play. Jeff Melsopp blocked the extra point attempt, it's 13-0, Bethpage.

UPDATE (6:28) -- It's halftime here, with Wantagh's Kyle Ambury having thrown an interception scooped up by Kevin Glueckert to end the first half. Wantagh coach Keith Sachs stormed off the field apparently upset at one of the referees, but we couldn't really see what he was so upset over. My guess is down 13-0, he's not whispering his halftime speech.

UPDATE (6:38) Word in the press box is that Sachs was livid over a late hit to one of his players.

Key Stats

-Bethpage leads the time of possession battle, 13:45 to 10:15.

-Wantagh quarterback Kyle Ambury is only 3 of 11 passing for nine yards.

-Bethpage has 177 rushing yards, compared to Wantagh's 72.

Sachs, upset as he was at the end of the first half, knows this game is still within reach. Was it not for Wantagh's goal-line stand, this game could easily be 20-0. But it's not. We're settled in for the second half.

UPDATE (7:01) -- Well, Wantagh is making all the plays to stay in this game on the goal line. Anthony Biscardi intercepted a pass attempt by Greg Miller and returned it 16 yards....Ouch, Wantagh receivers just dropped two would-be first down passes. Wantagh has to punt, and Bethpage will take it from the Wantagh 43-yard line.

UPDATE (7:27) -- Bethpage lineman Robert Ploth was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty after sacking Kyle Ambury on fourth down, setting up Anthony's Biscardi's 10-yard touchdown play with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Bethpage blocked the extra point, It's 13-6 Bethpage with three minutes left. Does Wantagh have enough time?

UPDATE (7:39) -- Kevin Glueckert ran for a 37-yard touchdown on fourth down to make the score 20-6. This one is over -- Bethpage will play Islip in the Long Island Championship. We'll be back with updates.

It's a brisk but beautiful evening here in Stony Brook. The winds have subsided and the crowd is pouring in for the title game. We're getting ready for the kickoff.

Longwood will receive from our right here in the press box. Here we go . . .

UPDATED 4:20 p.m.
Longwood's first series is fairly impressive -- alot of emotion, what you would expect. The Lions pick up two first downs before stalling at the Floyd 31. A big sack on quarterback Eddie Wess by Vaughn McGee has forced a punt. Floyd takes over at its own 21.
UPDATED 4:34 p.m.
Floyd drives 79 yards in eight plays, capped by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Joe Sidaras to Steve Murphy. Brock Jackolski keyed the march with a 44-yard pass and run to the Longwood 35. Jon Korn's kick makes it 7-0 with 3:12 left in the quarter.
UPDATED 4:41
Longwood goes three and out and Floyd takes over after a short punt at the Longwood 42. Six plays later, Sidaras hits Murphy with a second touchdown pass, this time from five yards. Korn is good as usual and it's 14-0 with 10:39 left in the half.
Longwood needs some offense here or it's going to get ugly.
UPDATED 4:53 p.m.
This Floyd football team is unbelievable. Longwood punted again. And Floyd scored again. This time the Colonials drive 65 yards in seven plays and Brock Jackolski takes it in from the 8. It's 20-0 with 4:53 left in the half.
UPDATED 5:04 p.m.
We're at the half. Sidaras has thrown for 136 yards.
UPDATED
we're back after a long halftime. This no contest. Floyd has added two second half touchdowns. John Amato caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sidaras and Jackolski scored on a 1-yard run. It's 35-0 with 6:40 left in the third.
UPDATED 6:01
Floyd leads 35-0 with 8:13 left in the game. Coach Paul Longo has subbed his starting unit here in the fourth quarter.

The Bucs are in black and purple and have elected to kickoff with the wind which is blowing from our right to our left here in the pressbox. The Colts are in white jerseys, red pants and on the visiting sideline across from the pressbox.
There are 131 people in the stands right now on the Hills West side of the field. That's a direct result of the boys soccer team playing upstate for the state championship. Some of the fans have traveled with the soccer team. Hills' kicker Nolan Gelman is with the soccer team today and we'll see if that has an impact on this game.

Kickoff is moments away. Stay tuned!!!

Great opening field tackle by Dan Lyons #40 of the Bucs. And here we go.

UPDATED 12:15 p.m.
No one has been able to move the ball in the first three possessions. There have been three straight punts and no first downs. Something's gotta give. We have 5:23 left in the first quarter.
UPDATED 12:20 p.m.
Here we go. Islip is on the move. The Bucs have two first downs and are facing third and six at the Colts 31. Full house backfield, play action pass to Jason Schlittenhardt, broken up by Jevan Cruz. Fourth down and they're going for it -- incomplete pass.
UPDATED 12:35 p.m.
Hills West gets the first break of the game with a roughing the punter penalty for 15 yards and moves the ball to the Bucs 31. Three plays later, quarterback Dave DiMaria tries to loft a short pass to JaQuan Carr and he doesn't get enough air under the ball. Defensive back Tyler Casolaro makes a one-handed interception and returns the ball 39 yards to the Colts 34. Only a touchdown saving tackle by DiMaria prevents a score.
Brown goes 13 yards for a first down to the Colts 21 and there's 6:46 left in the half. It's third and 10 at the 21, full house backfield, play-action incomplete pass. It's fourth down and the Bucs are going for a field goal of 38 yards -- Tom Kriss kicks low line drive right down the middle for a 3-0 Bucs lead.
The Hills West fans are filling in very nicely over there. The crowd is getting much bigger, the Islip side very large.
UPDATED 12:49
Hills was moving -- was. A very hard hit by Tyler Casolaro jars the ball from the grip of Jevan Cruz and Mike Grilli recovers at the 36. Bucs ball.
UPDATED 1:16
Islip moves to the Hills 2. Ponce fumbles at the goal line and Carr recovers with 34 seconds left in the half.
Islip leads 3-0 at the half.
UPDATED 1:32
Islip has had two possessions and punted both times as the Hills West defense is playing on par with the Bucs defense. THe Hills West offense has been predictable and horizontal. The passing game is non existent. The Colts are forced to punt again. They have 68 yards in 29 plays.
This Islip defense is very tough.
Now Hills will punt -- John Lamonica returns the punt 50 yards to the Hills 7. Three plays later, Malcolm Brown scores from the 1. Kriss adds the extra point and Islip leds 10-0.
It doesn't look good for Hills, which can't seem to move the ball. There is 1:01 left in the third quarter and the Bucs are just over a quarter away from a third trip the Long Island championships.
UPDATED 1:48
Cody Hendricks with a big sack on the next Hills series forcing the Colts sixth punt of the game. The Bucs are on the move again, chewing up precious seconds, they've moved from their 32 to the Colts 14 and Brown just went over 100 yards rushing. There is 3:34 left. A block nullifies a Lamonica 14-yard touchdown run.
On fourth down a huge hit in the secondary pops the ball in the air and Jevan Cruz makes the interception. Of more concern to bucs fans is the big hit on quarterback Casey Biasi -- hope he's OK. It looks mlike he had the wind knocked out of him.
There is 2:12 left and Hills has the ball at its own 30.
Hills scored on a fourth down and one play from the 29 when Cruz caught a short pass and raced to the end zone to avoid the shutout with 27 seconds left.

UPDATED 2:05
Nothing doing against this Bucs defense. This game is over.

Islip wins, 10-7. Complete defensive dominance.

By ERIK BOLAND

No one looks particularly comfortable. Can't blame them.

Have no idea what the temperature is but the wind has the uprights in both end zones wobbling from side to side. Expect the wind to do the same to most of the passes thrown. About 10 minutes from kickoff. Should be interesting to see if Lawrence can do what they've done to everyone else this season: the Golden Tornadoes - appropriately named for this night - have outscored their opponents, 356-43, this season. That's it for now as the Yodels have arrived in the press box.

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