Top high school football games to watch in Week 3

Plainedge has been the standard for the past seven years in Nassau Conference III football, winning four titles. The two-time defending Long Island Class III champion, which has a 14-game winning streak, plays at undefeated Roosevelt at 2 p.m. Saturday.

“They have been the standard in this conference for quite a few years,” said Roosevelt coach Joe Vito. “Rob Shaver and his staff continues to reload year after year and they’re the team to beat. I’m happy with the way we’re playing and hopefully we can get a few breaks and execute our game plan and be very competitive.”

Shane Mosia scored three touchdowns as Plainedge beat Carey last week, 28-0. The Red Devils went running back by committee with nine different players getting to share the rock. But the key to victory may rest with the defensive unit which turned in seven tackles for a loss and forced a few turnovers over the perennial playoff qualifier from Franklin Square.

The Plainedge defense has only allowed one touchdown through its first two games.

The Rough Riders scored 35 points in a season-opening win and followed that with a 33-13 victory over Hewlett to move to 2-0.

Roosevelt will rely on the running game behind speedy halfbacks BJ Norman and Bakhail Talmadge, who combined for 312 yards on the ground and four touchdowns a week ago.

Plainedge, the top-ranked team in the Newsday Small Schools poll, is also led by quarterback Caden Morra, who completed 7 of 10 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown last week.

NASSAU I

Massapequa at Freeport, Friday, 6 p.m.: These teams have split their last 10 meetings. Massapequa has won the last two games, including last year’s 41-18 victory. These teams have won the last four Nassau I titles. Massapequa won the last two years and Freeport took the crown in 2018 and 2019.

NASSAU I

Hempstead at Valley Stream Central, Friday, 6:30 p.m.: This is the first meeting between these two schools since 2015. Hempstead (2-0) has not started the season 3-0 since 2007. Jakkai Stith (379) and Dwayne Meadors (311) have combined for almost 700 rushing yards in the Tigers’ first two games.

SUFFOLK III

Comsewogue at Hauppauge, Friday, 6 p.m.: Hauppauge quarterback Vincent Barbera passed for 218 yards and five touchdowns in the first half last week. The Eagles want to build off that win and make strides toward a playoff berth. Comsewogue lost its first two games in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, but has beaten Hauppauge in five of the last six meetings.

CHSFL AAA

St. Anthony's at Monsignor Farrell, Friday, 7 p.m.: The Friars have a 24-game win streak against Farrell. St. Anthony’s quarterback Dante Torres has thrown for 823 yards and eight touchdowns in the first two games. Farrell's last victory in this series was in the 2000 CHSFL final.

SUFFOLK III

Sayville at Harborfields, Saturday, 1 p.m.: Jake Triptree is the next quarterback to step in and find immediate success at Sayville. He’s been on target and fired two TD passes in last week’s win over Deer Park. Triptree and halfback Kyle Messina form a 1-2 punch that will be too much for the undefeated Tornadoes. Sayville has won 15 consecutive games in this series. Harborfields is looking to get to 3-0 for the first time since 2008. Its last win over Sayville came in 2001.

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.