Sayville football team wins Rutgers Trophy
Sayville coaches and players pose for a portrait after receiving the Rutgers Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding team in Suffolk County. (Dec. 5, 2011) Credit: James Escher
Sayville added one more big score in its season of record-setting offense, earning the Rutgers Trophy as Suffolk's most outstanding team Monday night at the Suffolk County Football Association's annual dinner.
Sayville was the only undefeated public school in the county, but to win the third Rutgers Trophy in school history and second under current coach Rob Hoss, it had to beat out three other 2011 Long Island champions -- Class I Floyd, Class II Newfield and Class IV Glenn -- in the voting. Sayville also won the award in 1972 and 2004.
The Golden Flashes (12-0) beat Lawrence, 78-61, in the Long Island Class III championship game Nov. 27. It was the highest-scoring varsity football game in Long Island history.
"I've never seen a game like that," running back John Haggart said afterward.
No one else in New York has either, apparently. It is believed to be the highest-scoring game ever played in the state.
Zach Sirico gained 224 yards and scored an LIC-record six rushing touchdowns against Lawrence. Haggart rushed for 141 yards in that game. Haggart rushed for 1,285 yards and Sirico 1,043 this season.
They were not, however, the focal points of the Sayville offense. Quarterback Steven Ferreira threw for 2,443 yards and 29 touchdowns with, remarkably, only five interceptions. He surpassed Tony Capozzoli of St. Dominic (1972-75) to become the Long Island career leader in touchdown passes (73) and passing yards (6,411).
Tom Hannan (43 receptions, 905 yards) and James Rupp (30 catches, 622 yards) were Ferreira's favorite targets as Sayville averaged 39 points per game and exceeded 40 points six times.
The Golden Flashes cruised through the playoffs. In addition to the historic game against Lawrence, they defeated Kings Park, 41-14; Harborfields, 42-14, and Westhampton, 28-7.
