Joseph Filardi accounts for 5 TDs as Hills West tops Westhampton in Suffolk Div. III opener
Half Hollow Hills West QB Joseph Filardi drops back to pass against Westhampton on Saturday. Credit: David Meisenholder
When you think you’ve seen it all from Joseph Filardi – think again.
The Half Hollow Hills West quarterback, who accounted for 4,420 yards and 57 touchdowns as a junior, opened the 2024 season on Saturday in spectacular Filardi fashion.
He threw for three first-half touchdowns as the Colts built a 35-point lead on the way to a 45-7 win over No. 3 Westhampton in a Suffolk Division III football game in Dix Hills.
But what left the most indelible impression on the home opener may have been his ability to avert disaster and turn a negative into a positive early in the second quarter. Filardi bobbled a low shotgun snap three yards deep in his own end zone. The unflappable Filardi gathered control of the ball and charged forward to avoid the safety. What happened next left the capacity crowd in awe.
Filardi emerged from the middle of the pile and bolted into the open field with the Westhampton defense in pursuit and turned the misplay into a 98-yard touchdown romp for a four-touchdown lead.
“He’s amazing, just a magician,” senior wide receiver Jesse Brooks. “He makes something out of nothing all the time.”
Filardi accounted for four touchdowns and 332 yards of offense in the first half and added a 27-yard third quarter touchdown run. He finished with five scores and 359 total yards.
“I was just looking to get back to the line of scrimmage and avoid the safety,” Filardi laughed. “I rode the blocks by our right tackle [Nolan Doerrie] and center [Sal Santoro] into open space. It was a very long and tiring run.”
It was just another Filardi highlight.
“He never gives up on a play,” Doerrie said. “The line gives him a lane and once he gets into the open field it’s over.”
Filardi’s first half included touchdown passes of 62 and 39 yards to Brooks and a 47-yarder to senior wide receiver Anthony Raio. What may have been most impressive, was the Colts' first drive of the game when they marched 80 yards in 10 plays capped by a Christian Alfaro 18-yard run with 8:01 left.
“I feel we set the tone on that first drive,” said Alfaro, who had 65 yards on seven carries in the game. “The line was getting a push and we showed we have another element with the run game in the offense.”
Half Hollow Hills West coach Gerald Filardi was pleased with the line play and a defense that shut down a talented Westhampton offense.
“We focused on defense throughout camp,” Filardi said. “And I thought we tackled well as a team. I’m pleased with the effort.”
The Colts were led by defensive back Kade Diez and linebacker Benjamin Vogt, who recorded sacks. Defensive end Jayden Smith had a first quarter strip fumble and Brooks made a leaping one-handed interception early in the third quarter.
And he also pointed to the outstanding offensive line play of tackles Joe Sigismondi and Doerrie and guards Ramon Herrera and Vogt and Santoro at center.
“It all starts with our line,” Filardi said. “And it ends with Joseph making the right decisions.”
It was just another game of Joseph Filardi doing Joseph Filardi things.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
