Football
A new chapter begins at Shoreham-Wading River High School as Paul Longo is officially named head football coach, following approval by the SWR Board of Education this week.
Longo arrives after a legendary run at William Floyd, where he became the winningest coach in Suffolk County football history. Now, he takes over the Division IV program, bringing decades of leadership, championship culture, and unmatched experience to the Wildcats’ sideline.
William Floyd standout Ja’Quan Thomas has been named the 2025 recipient of the Hansen Award, recognizing him as the top high school football player in Suffolk County.
The explosive senior running back delivered one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory, carrying the Colonials to the Division I championship game.
Despite facing defenses that stacked the box with little fear of a passing attack, Thomas still proved nearly unstoppable.
He rushed for an astounding 2,079 yards and 31 touchdowns, routinely breaking tackles, extending plays, and providing the spark that powered William Floyd’s offense all season long.
A remarkable year for Sayville football has been officially recognized at the highest level.
The program was awarded the prestigious Rutgers Trophy, presented annually by the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association to the best team in Suffolk County.
The honor was announced at the association’s annual banquet, where the top teams and athletes from across the county are celebrated.
This marks the seventh Rutgers Trophy in Sayville football history, adding to a proud legacy of excellence built over decades. The award caps an unforgettable season in which Sayville finished undefeated at 12-0 and claimed its eighth Long Island Championship.
With dominant performances, relentless effort, and a united team culture, the Golden Flashes delivered one of the most memorable seasons in program history — one worthy of Suffolk County’s top honor.
Congratulations to the entire Sayville football community on this incredible achievement and a championship season that will be remembered for years to come.
The following is a piece from Section XI Student Media member Tristan Olivo.
Friday’s Class I Long Island Championship delivered one of the hardest-fought games of the season as unbeaten Ward Melville (11-0), the Section XI champion, squared off against Nassau’s top team, Massapequa.
From the opening whistle, Ward Melville’s defense showed why it had been dominant all year. The Patriots forced turnovers, clogged running lanes, and stalled multiple drives in a first half defined by toughness and discipline. Neither offense could break through, and the teams went into halftime locked in a tense 0-0 battle.
Massapequa managed to score first in the third quarter, capitalizing on a sustained drive to take a 7-0 lead. A turnover on Ward Melville’s next possession set up another scoring opportunity for the Chiefs, who extended the lead to 14-0 midway through the quarter.
But true to form, Ward Melville responded with heart and resilience. Senior Joey Benedetto ignited the comeback effort, finding the end zone twice to cut the deficit to 14-12. The Patriots came inches away from tying the game, but their two-point conversion attempt was stopped at the goal line, setting up a dramatic finish.
With time running out, Ward Melville mounted one final drive, pushing deep into Massapequa territory. On fourth down, the Patriots launched a last-chance pass toward the end zone, but the play was broken up, sealing the narrow result.
Though the 14-12 final didn’t fall Ward Melville’s way, the Patriots represented Section XI with pride, grit, and championship-level effort. Their undefeated regular season, county championship, and down-to-the-wire performance on Long Island cemented this group as one of the program’s most memorable teams.
Section XI Student Media team member Keira Kenny wrote the following story.
Before Ward Melville’s Suffolk County Championship showdown with William Floyd, I had the chance to speak with senior captain Victor Bergamaschi, a player whose hard work and leadership have defined the Patriots’ remarkable season. Ward Melville went on to defeat the Colonials, 31–28, earning a spot in the Long Island Championship—one final game for this special group. As Victor prepares to graduate and move on, he hopes to leave behind one lasting message: never take a single day for granted.
Victor has been part of the Ward Melville Football family for four years, and the experience has meant everything to him. He hopes younger players understand just how fast the time goes.
“Never take a single day for granted,” he said. “Whether it’s offseason work or practice, every day with your boys is a blessing.”
His teammates, coaches, and the moments shared within this program are what he treasures most.
He also credits his coaches—especially Coach Russo and Coach Sorbera—for helping shape him into the player and leader he is today. Victor’s development is also the product of years of offseason training. His dedication has put him in the position to lead the Patriots on their championship run.
As the team prepares for its biggest game of the year, Victor explained how he manages the pressure of playing in front of a massive crowd.
“I take a deep breath, look at my boys and the crowd, and forget about all the expectations and pressure for a second,” he said.
In those moments, he reminds himself that they’re out there to play football—and to enjoy it.
Victor and the Patriots will face the Massapequa Chiefs this Friday at 12 p.m. in the Long Island Championship. It will be a battle, but Ward Melville enters the game with the work ethic, chemistry, and leadership needed to compete for a title.
GAME OF THE WEEK! Tune in tonight at 6 p.m. 📺
Suffolk County Football Playoffs are here!
This week’s Orlin & Cohen – Rockline Wealth Management Game of the Week is the Suffolk County Division I football matchup between No. 6 Lindenhurst and No. 3 Sachem North. Kick off is at 6 p.m.
You can watch it LIVE through the TD Sports YouTube channel.
Miller Place senior quarterback Shane Kiernan reached a major career milestone during Week 8, surpassing 6,000 career passing yards. The accomplishment caps an impressive regular season and highlights an outstanding high school career as a Panthers’ offensive leader.
He also has 68 career touchdown passes.
But Kiernan isn’t done yt. Kiernan has been one of Suffolk County’s most consistent and dynamic passers, helping guide Miller Place into the Suffolk County playoffs once again.
For context, the Long Island and Suffolk County all-time career passing record is 9,787 yards, set by Sayville’s Jack Coan from 2013 to 2016.
Congratulations to Shane Kiernan on this epic achievement … and best of luck to him and the Panthers as they continue their playoff run!
🏈 The playoff brackets for Section XI high school football are officially out! You can view the complete brackets here: https://sectionxi.org/playoff-bracket/football-2/
📆 Important note: Games begin Friday, November 7.
📊 Division IV data is still on the way — stay tuned for updates.
🎫 Get tickets here: https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI
📣 Be sure to check the bracket link, mark your calendars, and get ready for playoff action.
The following is a news story from Ryan Katz, one of our Section XI Student Media representatives.
Longwood High School hosted its first game on the brand-new turf field on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
This state-of-the-art facility is part of the district’s ongoing capital improvement projects, made possible by the continued support of the Longwood community.
About the New Field
Installation Company: LandTek Group
Project Duration: Approximately 14 weeks
Funding Source: District Bond
Longwood is excited to see its student-athletes take the field and create new memories on this beautiful new surface.
