Farmingdale vs. Hempstead and 5 more football games to watch

Buddy Krumenacker has coached Farmingdale football for the past 30 years. The Dalers, a perennial Nassau Conference I powerhouse, have been to the Long Island Class I title game eight times in that span.

Krumenacker is heralded as one of Long Island’s all-time coaching greats.

But it is Hempstead where the Krumenacker legend began, and there will always be a special place in his heart for the Tigers' program.

Krumenacker led Hempstead to five straight Nassau Conference titles and four Rutgers Cups between 1984-88. In his 10 years from 1978-88 he posted a 77-19-5 record.

"I remember those Farmingdale-Hempstead games from a very long time ago and it seems like yesterday,” said Krumenacker, who has 284 career wins. “It was great stuff then and it’ll be great stuff Friday night.”

Farmingdale hosts Hempstead in a battle of 5-0 teams in Nassau Conference I Friday at 6:30 p.m.

As much as he can bask in the Hempstead glory days, Krumenacker will only have winning on his mind.

"It’ll be a special night in Farmingdale,” Krumenacker said. “There’ll be an electric atmosphere. All the girls dancing with flags, hundreds of band members filling our bleachers and great community support.”

Farmingdale has beaten Hempstead in 16 straight games, dating to 1996. Hempstead quarterback Jakkai Stith and halfback Dwayne Meadors want to change that. Stith is the son of Warren Stith, who played quarterback for Krumenacker and went 27-0-1 at Hempstead.

"I’m happy that things are better in Hempstead,” Krumenacker said. “The coaches are doing a great job and they have dynamic players.”  

Farmingdale will be without Tomaso Ramos, who has 455 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He was injured in the first half at Freeport.

"We lack size, but we don’t lack athleticism,” Krumenacker said. “Matt Robinson and Rocky Folwark have exceptional foot speed and they’re the lead dogs on the offensive line.”

SUFFOLK III

Half Hollow Hills West at Westhampton, Friday, 6 p.m.: Both teams are 5-0 and have potent passing games. Hills West sophomore quarterback Joe Filardi has thrown for 1,021 yards and 17 touchdowns. His main target is Jesse Brooks, who has 22 catches for 432 yards and eight scores. Westhampton’s Will Gambino has passed for 731 yards and 11 TDs. Kevin Smith has 26 receptions for 273 yards and five scores.

NASSAU IV

North Shore at West Hempstead, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Both teams are 5-0. North Shore is the defending champion in Class IV and boasts a powerful 1-2 punch in quarterback Peter Liotta and halfback Nick LaRosa. West Hempstead has never played in an LIC and this could be the year with the talents of Jonathan Balthazard and A’Lorenz Chatman, who have totaled over 900 yards rushing and 12 TDs.

SUFFOLK I

Ward Melville at Floyd, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.: Ward Melville has been on the doorstep of a divisional crown for years and can’t seem to kick the proverbial door down. They get another shot when Floyd (5-0), which has won 13 Division I playoff titles since 2001, hosts the Patriots. Ward Melville (4-1) features a balanced attack with quarterback Andrew Belli, who has thrown for 924 yards and 13 scores, and halfback Nick Gaffney, who has 506 rushing yards and seven TDs. Floyd has won the last seven meetings and 18 of the last 19.

SUFFOLK II

Northport at Bellport, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Every week this division has evenly matched teams. Northport and Bellport are 4-1 and both are good enough to win the Suffolk crown and reach the LIC. Northport has never been to the LIC, but quarterback Owen Johansen could be the one  to lead them there. Bellport is the defending Division II playoff champion, and Donte Phillips has battled a groin injury for three weeks and still averages more than 100 yards a week on the ground.

NASSAU IV

Malverne at Seaford, Saturday, 2 p.m. Seaford has won 17 of the last 19 meetings, and Aiden Calvacca leads the Vikings (3-2) with 755 rushing yards and six TDs. Malverne (4-1) is led by Norman Brown, who has 488 rushing yards and three TDs. The winner is on track to host a playoff game.

With Andy Slawson

By Gregg Sarra

gregg.sarra@newsday.com@Gregg_Sarra

Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.