LI football county finals preview: Five schools aiming to reach their first Long Island Championships

The football programs at Northport, West Hempstead, Ward Melville, Bayport-Blue Point and Mepham all have one thing in common. Those schools have never played in the LIC.

The Long Island Championships began in 1992 and 40 programs have not experienced the excitement that comes on the biggest stage.

“It’s been our team goal since we lost in heartbreaking fashion in the Suffolk final last year,” Bayport-Blue Point quarterback Brady Clark said. “There is a laser focus on our goal.”

The newcomers add a zesty sauce, if you will, to the Nassau and Suffolk championship games this weekend. Will one or more of them emerge victorious?

Nassau will play all four title games at Hofstra University and Suffolk will play their four at Stony Brook University.

Long Island’s longest winning streaks are also on the line. Garden City has won 28 games in a row in Nassau II, Plainedge has a 22-game win streak in Nassau III and North Shore has reeled off 20 consecutive wins in Nassau IV.

SUFFOLK III

Sayville (10-0) vs. Westhampton (8-2), Thursday, 7 p.m.: Sayville has won more Suffolk titles than any team in history with 15. The Golden Flashes average 42.5 points per game. Halfback Kyle Messina has rushed for 1,617 yards and 26 touchdowns. Jake Triptree has passed for 1,674 yards and 20 scores. Hurricanes QB William Gambino has thrown for 945 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sayville beat Westhampton in Week 7, 35-7.

NASSAU IV

North Shore (10-0) vs. West Hempstead (9-1), Friday, 4 p.m.: North Shore is the defending L.I. Class IV champion and quarterback Peter Liotta is having a tremendous season. He’s rushed for 1,180 yards and 15 TDs. West Hempstead is making its first appearance in a Nassau final since the Rams lost to Garden City, 41-17, in 1986.

NASSAU II

Garden City (10-0) vs. Mepham (9-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Garden City has won six straight Nassau II crowns. Halfback Stevie Finnell has 636 yards rushing and 10 scores and Cole Webber has passed for 514 yards and nine scores. Mepham quarterback Dom Novello is a dual threat, totaling 2,068 all-purpose yards. Garden City beat Mepham, 35-18, in Week 5.

SUFFOLK IV

Bayport-Blue Point (9-0) vs. Glenn (7-2), Friday, 4 p.m.: Bayport-Blue Point is in a Suffolk final for the first time since 1991. Quarterback Brady Clark has completed 71 of 100 passes for 1,265 yards and 22 TDs. Junior Dan Aiello has rushed for 923 yards and 12 scores. Glenn quarterback Chris Franzese has been equally impressive. He’s rushed for 1,055 yards and passed for 953 yards and totaled 20 TDs. Bayport-Blue Point beat Glenn, 42-7, in Week 7.

SUFFOLK II

Bellport (9-1) vs. Northport (8-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Bellport, the Suffolk II champ, has halfback Donte Phillips, who has rushed for 1,267 yards and 18 TDs. Northport lost impact player Owen Johansen, who played quarterback and linebacker, for the season and the Tigers have rallied around each other and stormed into the final behind QB Mack O’Brien, who’s done a great job. He threw for three scores in last week’s 21-7 win over Lindy. Bellport beat Northport, 21-7, in Week 6.

NASSAU III

Plainedge (10-0) vs. Wantagh (9-1), Saturday, 12:30 p.m.: Plainedge is the two-time defending L.I. Class III champion. The Red Devils have won every game this season by at least 24 points. Plainedge defeated Wantagh, 35-7, in Week 7.  

NASSAU I

Farmingdale (10-0) vs. Massapequa (8-2), Saturday, 4 p.m.: Farmingdale quarterback Anthony Licci and Massapequa’s Paul Dulanto square off in this one. But the difference here will be the Dalers potent ground attack with Tomas Ramos (1,118 yards rushing and 23 scores) and sophomore Sal Posillico (690 yards and six scores). The Dalers beat Massapequa, 42-7 in Week 7.

SUFFOLK I

Longwood (8-2) vs. Ward Melville (7-3), Saturday, Noon: Both teams come in hot. Longwood crushed Sachem North, 28-7, and Ward Melville stunned top-seeded Floyd, 14-7, in semifinal games. Ward Melville last won a county title in 1987. They have halfback Nick Gaffney (1,018 yards and 13 scores) and QB Andrew Belli, who’s thrown for 1,499 yards and 20 TDs. Longwood halfback Terrance Robinson has rushed 1,159 yards and 12 scores.

CHSFL AAA

St. Anthony's (9-1) vs. Iona Prep (10-2), at Mitchel Athletic Complex, Saturday, 5 p.m.: Quarterback Dante Torres threw for 2,781 yards and 28 TDs and has three top-notch receivers in Nick Matos, Korey Duff Jr. and Ian Strong. The run game is explosive with halfbacks Frank Ruta and Darius Morant. The Friars beat Iona Prep, 48-42, but the Gaels are the defending CHSFL AAA champion and St. Anthony’s hasn’t worn the crown since 2013.

CHSFL AA-I

Holy Trinity (8-1) vs. Moore Catholic (9-2), at Mitchel Athletic Complex, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Holy Trinity is the defending CHSFL AA-I champion and the Titans have won 18 of their last 19 games. Holy Trinity beat Moore Catholic, 21-14, in Week 7, on a 73-yard TD run by halfback Devin Gonzalez.

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.