Long Island high school football games to watch and picks for Week 3

Seaford football is looking for that big rebound win this week.

It won’t be easy. The Vikings go on the road to  Plainedge Friday in a Nassau Conference IV game at 7:30 p.m.

Undefeated Plainedge (2-0), a newcomer to the conference, hasn’t played Seaford in 24 years. The Red Devils bring a hefty resume from Conference III, including three Long Island Class III titles and five conference crowns over the last decade.

Seaford (1-1) is reeling after the top-seeded Vikings were dumped by No. 5 Cold Spring Harbor, 19-14. Trying to get back in the win column against Plainedge may be a herculean task.

The Vikings have played in six conference finals, winning four of them in the last nine years, and are primed for any opponent. The perennial playoff power hasn’t lost two games in a row since 2013.

“Plainedge will be a fierce competitor as they’re bringing a great team into our conference,” Seaford coach Mike McHugh said. “We’ll continue our strong Seaford football tradition of winning. We’re not just a ground-and-pound team anymore. We expect a back-and-forth game between two schools of heavy football tradition.”

The dynamic of Nassau IV  changed when playoff contenders Plainedge and Wantagh moved into the conference this fall. The path to the title is much more difficult.

“This conference is all new to us,” Plainedge coach Rob Shaver said. “Every week is exciting. It’ll be a test against Seaford.”

Plainedge sophomore QB Jaxson Torres and Seaford junior QB Michael Spinella both like to throw. Vikings halfback Brian Falk has been a workhorse the past two years and already has 356 yards rushing and two scores.

SUFFOLK III

Half Hollow Hills West (2-0) at Hauppauge (2-0), Friday, 6 p.m.: The narrative doesn’t change – stop Joseph Filardi and Hills’ spectacular offense and have a chance to win. Hauppauge thinks the defense can slow down the Colts QB and his record-breaking receivers Anthony Raio and Jesse Brooks. The wild card is Hills running back Christian Alfaro who gives the Colts another dimension on offense. Hauppauge lost outstanding halfback Cole Wood, who had knee surgery Wednesday and is out for the season. Hauppauge has not defeated Hills since 2011.

SUFFOLK IV

Bayport-Blue Point (2-0) at Shoreham-WR (2-0), Friday, 6 p.m.: Bayport is riding Suffolk’s longest winning streak at 25 games. The two-time defending Long Island Class IV champion will be hard pressed to maintain that excellence in 2024. So far, so good, but Shoreham offers dynamic halfback Sean Casey, who has 354 yards rushing and six TDs through the 2-0 start. Shoreham won seven of the eight divisional playoff titles between 2014-2021. Bayport halfback Dylan Craig hadn’t played football in three years and decided to make his senior year memorable by joining his friends for one last hurrah. He’s been unstoppable.

SUFFOLK IV

Greenport/Southold (2-0) at Southampton/Pierson (0-2), Friday, 6 p.m.: Greenport has not opened 3-0 since 2013. Michael DeNicola and Matt and Kenny McGunnigle lead a potent attack for the Porters. DeNicola has rushed for over 200 yards and Matt McGunnigle has scored three touchdowns.

NASSAU I

Farmingdale (2-0) at Massapequa (2-1), Saturday, 3 p.m.: This is one of the best rivalries on Long Island. Top-seeded Farmingdale was tested by Port Washington last week and came away with a 14-6 win. Massapequa stumbled in an opening loss to Oceanside but seems to have righted the ship with two straight wins. The rivalry goes back to 1975 and the Dalers lead the all-time series, 38-21-2. Massapequa used a two-point conversion in overtime to edge the Dalers, 15-14, in last year’s meeting. The Dalers will have to slow down halfback Tyler Villalta to win this one. He has rushed for 386 yards and nine touchdowns for Massapequa.

NASSAU II

Calhoun (1-1) at Mepham (2-0), Saturday, 11 a.m.: This is an intra-district game. Mepham hasn’t allowed a point through two games. The Pirates, led by junior linebacker James Quilty and senior lineman Stephen Soel, had seven sacks against Roslyn/Friends Academy last week. The Calhoun running game is led by Nick Maresca and Dom Di Rico.

NASSAU III

Lynbrook (2-0) at Elmont (2-0), Saturday, 3 p.m.: Both teams have aired it out over the first two weeks with two of Long Island’s emerging quarterbacks. Lynbrook’s Joseph McHale has thrown for 505 yards and four scores. His main targets are Bennett Votano (12 catches) and Miles Storm (120 yards). Elmont’s Aiden Barnes has passed for 524 yards and four scores, including nine passes for 158 yards to Nassir Edwards. Lynbrook stunned defending Conference III champion South Side in Week 1 , 35-14. Elmont edged South Side, 28-21, last week.

SUFFOLK I

Connetquot (2-0) at Ward Melville (2-0), Saturday, 2 p.m.: Ward Melville took out Sachem teams from North and East to open the season. The Patriots are riding the arm of sophomore Hudson Philbrick and an outstanding offensive line early in the season. Connetquot is coming off a thrilling 21-14 overtime win over Sachem North. Quarterback Vin Feraca hit Andrew Amarando with three touchdown passes, including the overtime winner from seven yards.

SUFFOLK II

Smithtown West (2-0) at East Islip (2-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.: East Islip has outscored opponents 78-0 in the first half through two games. Quarterback Thomas Costarelli did not throw a pass in a 43-0 win over Centereach last week. Running backs Ryan Parker and Jake Simmons totaled four TDs on the ground. Smithtown West has averaged 38 points per game behind halfback Jason Antunes and quarterback Nick DeVito. The East Islip starting defense has not allowed a score.

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.