Top 10 running backs on Long Island for fall 2023 season
Sayville's Kyle Messina picks up some yardage during a Suffolk Division III football game against Half Hollow Hills West in Dix Hills on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
In an era where the spread offense has challenged defenses and created more scoring opportunities down the field, running the ball is becoming a lost art.
Still, the effectiveness of the running game can be the main ingredient to winning championships. A talented halfback behind a strong offensive line can help control the tempo of a game, keep the opposing high-scoring offense off the field through clock management and in bad weather conditions become the ultimate backup plan to win.
Here are 10 halfbacks on Long Island who can take over a game and dominate on the ground. They can also complement a vibrant passing game and keep the defense off balance. In alphabetical order:
DANNY AIELLO
Bayport-Blue Point, senior
The Phantoms marched to an undefeated record and a Long Island Class IV title led by Hansen Award winning quarterback Brady Clark. The Phantoms could not have done it without the bruising running of Aiello, who rushed for 1,184 yards and 13 scores.
AIDAN CALVACCA
Seaford, senior
The Vikings like to play ball control. They master clock management and always put a solid line in front of a talented runner. That guy last season was Calvacca, with 1,275 yards rushing and 10 scores.
MICHAEL GIUGLIANO
Miller Place, senior
The Panthers used the speedy Giugliano in all phases of the offense — including at quarterback —just to get him in open space as a junior. He had 1,181 all-purpose yards. This season, the offense will roll with him at halfback.
JAKE MARTINI
Wantagh, senior
He’s big, physical and likes to run folks over. The 6-2, 215-pounder is scary in the open field. He scored 15 touchdowns last season.
DWAYNE MEADORS
Hempstead, senior
There were signs that last year he’d have a breakout year as the Tigers continued to climb toward a playoff spot in Nassau Conference I. At 6-3, 215 pounds, he had five 100-yard rushing games, including 176 yards against Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK.
KYLE MESSINA
Sayville, junior
If you want yards after contact, Messina is your guy. He’s very tough to tackle in the open field, and at 6-0, 185 pounds, he squares up defenders and runs them over. The Newsday All-Long Island selection rushed for 2,003 yards and 30 TD’s for the Long island Class III champions.
SAL POSILLICO
Farmingdale, senior
He was an integral part of a Farmingdale offense that rolled to the Long Island Class I title. He averaged an amazing 9.9 yards per carry and totaled 735 yards on 77 rushes with six scores.
JAMEER REEDER
Holy Trinity, senior
You want a workhorse on offense? Reeder is your man. The 5-10, 185-pounder rushed 122 times for 772 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also takes care of the ball – he had no fumbles.
WILL TOLLIVER
Carey, senior
He rushed for more than 1,130 yards and scored 13 TDs as a junior in Nassau Conference II. He moves up in class and the 5-9, 170-pound back will continue to run all over defenses for the Seahawks.
TYLER VILLALTA
Massapequa, junior
Just give him the ball. He had 1,066 all-purpose yards and 16 TDs as a sophomore, and the 5-11, 170-pounder will do more of the same in 2023. He knows how to find the end zone.
Next on our list
- Aidan Garvey of New Hyde Park
- KaRahn King of Glenn
- Joel Lomax of North Babylon
- Jack Lozito of South Side
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
