Newfield hopes to unseat East Islip

Game on? Newfield would like to think so.

Last season, the Wolverines ended a 50-year drought spanning 27 games in which it did not defeat traditional power East Islip by knocking off the Redmen, 23-7, en route to an 8-2 season and the first playoff victory in school history. Undaunted, East Islip just kept rolling, reaching the county final for the fourth time in five years.

Now they are the 1-2 seeds in Suffolk's version of the black-and-blue division. Seven teams won at least five games in Division II in 2010, the most of any league on the Island. Defending L.I. champion Bellport moves down to Division III, but this is still a deep, talented league.

East Islip features two-way tackle Todd Collins and running back/linebacker Tyler Rigo. Newfield counters with the rugged fullback/linebacker tandem of Ron Denig and Julian Santiago. These are hard-hitting teams.

West Babylon will challenge for the crown with talent at the skill positions, led by wide receiver Michael Richardson, running back Reggie Robinson and running back Unique Ford. Smithtown West has muscle (returning All-Long Island defensive end Zack Naja and two-way tackle Matt Morganelli) and hustle (running back James Pannell, also an all-Long Island lacrosse player).

Half Hollow Hills West is dangerous because of its team speed, led by Syracuse-bound Devante McFarlane, who will be a running quarterback out of the spread.

Traditional powers North Babylon and Riverhead are also in the playoff picture.

1. EAST ISLIP (9-2)

COACH: Sal J. Ciampi (11th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Todd Collins, OT/NG (6-0, 275), Sr.; Tyler Rigo, RB/LB (6-0, 200), Sr.; Mike White, OG/DT (6-2, 270), Sr.; Kyle Moller, WR/S (5-11, 175), Sr.; Robert Sconone, C/LB (5-8, 210), Sr.; Joe Modica, RB/S (5-8, 170), Sr.

ABOUT THE REDMEN: The defense was more porous in 2010 after being the stingiest in Suffolk the year before. That should change, with bruiser Collins clogging up the middle and tackling machine Rigo at linebacker. White and 280-pound junior Dan Hayden add impressive size to both lines. Moller is a skilled two-way player.

2. NEWFIELD (8-2)

COACH: Joe Piccinnini (seventh season).

KEY PLAYERS: Ron Denig, FB/LB (5-11, 225), Sr.; Mike Silva, QB/CB (5-8, 180), Sr.; Julian Santiago, FB/LB (5-11 225), Sr.; James Manginelli, OT/DT (6-2 1/2, 255), Jr.; Mike Fabitti, OG/NG (5-10, 265), Sr.; Tom Dinbaldo, TE/LB (5-9, 225), Sr.

ABOUT THE WOLVERINES: As a 10th seed last season, Newfield was one of the county's biggest surprises. The secret's out now, with Denig, a punishing runner and tackler, among the best two-way players in Suffolk. He teams with Santiago to form a dynamic duo at linebacker and they give Silva some running options in the backfield.

3. WEST BABYLON (6-4)

COACH: Al Ritacco (ninth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Michael Richardson, WR/DB (6-0, 175), Sr.; Reggie Robinson, RB/LB (6-1, 245), Sr.; Unique Ford RB/LB (5-11, 190), Sr.; Mike Kata, OL/DL (6-0, 275), Sr.; Tyler Hartmann OL/DL (6-2, 290), Sr.; Clifton Melhado, QB/DB (5-11, 165), Jr.

ABOUT THE EAGLES: Injuries shortened Richardson's season, but he still managed 27 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns, plus three interceptions. Robinson ran for 565 yards and 10 TDs and made 89 tackles, including five sacks. Ford gained 427 yards. West Babylon is stocked at the skill positions and has excellent team speed.

4. SMITHTOWN WEST (6-2)

COACH: Peter Cerullo (seventh season).

KEY PLAYERS: Zack Naja, DE/WR (6-1, 190), Sr.; Matt Morganelli, DT/OT (6-1, 290), Sr.; James Pannell RB/CB (5-9, 170), Sr.; Frank Manino, OL/DL (5-10, 280), Sr.; Steve Kelly, WR/DB (6-0, 180), Sr.; Matt Heldberg, QB/CB (6-0, 180), So.

ABOUT THE BULLS: Naja is one of only three returning All-Long Island players. He had 10 sacks and is a superb edge rusher. Morganelli got four sacks from the inside and will open holes for All-L.I. lacrosse star Pannell, who rushed for 700 yards and 10 TDs. Offensive line and running game are strengths.

5. HALF HOLLOW HILLS WEST (3-5)

COACH: Kyle Madden (12th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Devante McFarlane, QB/LB (6-2, 195), Sr.; Deven Williams, WR/DB (6-0, 165), Sr.; Jessean Banks, WR/DB (5-9, 160), Sr.; Randy Davis, OL/LB (6-2, 230), Jr.; Omar Clark, OL/LB (6-0, 220), Sr.; JaQuese Jones, RB/LB (5-10, 200), Sr.

ABOUT THE COLTS: Syracuse recruited McFarlane as "an athlete," and he's all that -- with speed, quickness and strength. Though he won't play quarterback in college, McFarlane should excel running from that position in the Colts' explosive spread. Williams is a genuine deep threat and Hills West has more size and depth than a year ago.

6. NORTH BABYLON (7-2)

COACH: Terry Manning (21st season).

KEY PLAYERS: Anthony Grassa, OL/LB (6-2, 220), Sr.; Joe Stamm, OL/DL (6-3, 230), Sr.; Ryan Slane, QB/DB (5-9, 165), Sr.; T.Q. Grant, RB/DB (6-0, 180), Sr.

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: As always, it's the old ground-and-pound offense, but there are plenty of new faces. As Manning said, "We graduated 19 starters; there are 19 jobs open." The interior line should be a strength led by Grassa and Stamm. Slane, a big-time scorer in lacrosse, is a first-year starter at quarterback.

7. RIVERHEAD (2-6)

COACH: Leif Shay (14th season).

KEY PLAYERS: Reggie Moore, FB/LB (5-9, 165), Sr.; Ryan Bitzer, QB (5-11, 165), Jr.; Charles Bartlet, RB/LB (5-11, 180), Sr.; Kurt Carter, WR/FS (6-0, 185), Sr.; Anthony Stimpfel, OL (6-0, 225), Sr.; Shawn Yarborough, DL (6-1, 230), Sr.

ABOUT THE BLUE WAVES: Despite its problems last season, Riverhead had a solid defense. Moore was one of the stalwarts with 96 tackles. Bitzer is an emerging quarterback, throwing 14 TD passes as a sophomore. Bartlet ran for six TDs. Carter made a successful switch from quarterback to receiver. Team speed a plus.

8. DEER PARK (6-2)

COACH: Ron Langella (seventh season).

KEY PLAYERS: Vinny Vitale, FB/LB (5-8, 210), Sr.; Austin Sweeting, QB/DB (5-10 175), Sr.; Aaron Thompson, OT/DE (6-4, 240), Sr.; Damien Lugo, RB/DB (5-5, 165), Sr.; Joe Gimeli, WR/DB (5-5, 170), Sr.; Skylure Pannell, RB/DB (5-9, 170), So.

ABOUT THE FALCONS: Hosted a playoff game last fall, for the first time in 15 years. Vitale (561 yards rushing, seven TDs) and Sweeting (451 yards passing with six TDs and seven rushing TDs) were a part of that. Vitale is also a big-time linebacker, with 71 tackles. Thompson is an inside force.

9. WHITMAN (1-7)

COACH: Robin Rosa (second season).

KEY PLAYERS: Darrell Felder, LB/FB (6-1, 240), Sr.; Tim Laster, WR/S (6-2, 170), Sr; Xavier Livingston, RB/CB (5-8 170), Sr.; Rick Rizzo, DT/OT (6-1, 240), Jr.; Kieron Elmore, DT/G (6-1, 270), Jr.; Mike Zaharios, DT/C (6-0, 210), Sr.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS: Seeking first playoff berth in 23 years, with Felder leading the way. Temple is among the schools recruiting him after a season in which he rushed for 520 yards with five touchdowns. Laster (18 receptions for 300 yards) can catch; Livingston (352 yards) can run.

10. SMITHTOWN EAST (3-5)

COACH: Pete Melore (first season).

KEY PLAYERS: Tim Devlin, WR/DB (5-10, 170), Sr.; Connor Winship, OL/DE (6-3 225), Sr.; Dennis Lestrange, OL/DE (6-3, 220), Sr.; Jake Koppleman, RB/LB (5-10, 170), Sr., Mike Buono, QB (6-0, 180), Sr.; Alex Joly, LB/RB (5-11, 185), Sr.

ABOUT THE BULLS: Look for more passing out of the spread under a new coaching staff. Buono's favorite target is Devlin, but there are several promising young receivers, too. Winship and Lestrange anchor the lines. Defense must improve after allowing 28 ppg last year.

11. HAUPPAUGE (4-4)

COACH: Joe Patrovich (fourth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Dom Confredo, RB/LB (5-10, 185), Jr.; Mike Rutigliano, G/LB (5-11, 250), Sr.; Josh Kuhn, OT/DE (6-0, 225), Sr.; Cory Wood, QB/DB (5-10, 175), Jr.; Phil Guidone, C/DE (6-0, 220), Sr.; Ben Quinn, WR/DB (5-8, 160), Sr.

ABOUT THE EAGLES: Confredo rushed for 520 yards, can catch it out of the backfield and made 45 tackles. He's part of a young, quick and small team, though Rutigliano has weight, if not height. "If we don't get beat up early, we'll get better as we move along," Patrovich said.

12. CENTEREACH (2-6)

COACH: Charles McMullen (fourth season).

KEY PLAYERS: Mike Hawk, OL/LB (5-11, 240), Sr.; Scott Velasquez, RB/LB (5-10, 190), Sr.; Andrew Brunning, OL/DL (6-0, 220), Sr.; David Anselmo, OL/DL (6-1, 230), Sr.; Chris Weiman, OL/DL (6-3, 240), Jr.

ABOUT THE COUGARS: An experienced line, featuring seniors Hawk, Brunning and Anselmo, must open holes for Velasquez. Looking to underclassmen for offensive help. Defense must get better after allowing 28 ppg. Doubled their win total of the two previous seasons, but are hoping for more.

13. COPIAGUE (1-7)

COACH: Ken Rittenhouse (third season).

KEY PLAYERS: Nick LoCascio, TE/LB (6-1, 190), Sr.; Tim Cunningham, QB/LB (6-0, 170), Sr.; Justin Boone, WR/DB (5-7, 160), Sr.

ABOUT THE EAGLES: They've got some speed on offense with veterans LoCascio, Cunningham and Boone. But they won only one game a year ago because the defense allowed a league-worst 32.5 ppg and the offense scored a league-low 65 points in eight games.

14. HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST (0-8)

COACH: Mike Patrovich (first season).

KEY PLAYERS: Ryan Cole, C/LB, Sr.; Jake Gneiser, RB/LB, Sr.; Justin Ashley, WR/S, Sr.; R.J. Nitti, QB/S, Jr.; Rasheed Williams, WR/CB, Jr.; David Albanese, OG/DT, Jr.

ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS: Patrovich inherits a team on an 11-game overall losing streak but is encouraged by the senior leadership of Cole, Gneiser and Ashley. Cole made 80 tackles at inside linebacker and Gneiser had 50 and ran for five TDs. Nitti threw eight TD passes as a sophomore.