Week 5 high school football games to watch
Freeport quarterback Isaiah Barnes in an undated file photo. Credit: Christopher Pasatieri, file
There are no shortcuts to the Long Island football championships. Every schedule has its surprises, and every week we see another top-seeded program go down. The fifth week of the regular season offers one of Long Island's most intriguing matchups when Farmingdale travels to play Freeport at the Mitchel Athletic Complex on Thursday night at 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on MSG Varsity on Cablevision's IO channel 14.
Freeport is off to a predictable 4-0 start and looks every bit the part of the two-time defending Long Island Class I champions. Coach Russ Cellan has reloaded on both sides of the ball and set the Red Devils machine in gear with talented quarterback Isaiah Barnes at the controls.
Farmingdale, a perennial Conference I powerhouse, graduated 22 starters and was off to a slow start (2-2). Dalers coach Buddy Krumenacker is putting together all the right pieces and has two straight wins and readying for another playoff run. This showdown is always a treat and don't expect Freeport to look past the Dalers.
GAMES TO WATCH ON THURSDAY
Newfield (3-1) at North Babylon (3-1), 3:30 p.m.
Another key game in Suffolk Division II. Both teams were beaten handily by undefeated West Babylon. Newfield needs to slow down the Bulldogs' ground game and halfback T.Q. Grant.
Eastport-South Manor (2-2) at Bellport (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
A couple of teams looking to stay in the playoff hunt. The defending Long Island Class II champion Clippers have won two straight and quarterback Justin Honce became the school's career passing yardage leader last Saturday.
Westhampton (3-1) at Miller Place (3-1), 3:30 p.m.
A key Suffolk Division III game between legitimate and evenly matched contenders. Both teams' only loss was to unbeaten Sayville and both score about 25 points a game.
Amityville (4-0) at Mount Sinai (3-1), 3:30 p.m.
High-scoring Amityville (averaging a league-best 36.3 points per game) gets a good test against the Mustangs, who average 32.5 points and allow only 11.5.
Oceanside (2-2) at East Meadow (4-0), 3:30 p.m.
Oceanside is coming off two tough losses, a shutout against Freeport and a 19-18 loss to Baldwin. The Sailors are going to be looking to prove something. East Meadow has been a juggernaut, averaging 52 points per game and allowing 12.5.
Wantagh (3-1) at Carey (3-1), 3:30 p.m.
Wantagh beat Mepham, 17-0, and Mepham beat Carey, 14-7. Therefore, Wantagh should beat Carey, right? Carey has been explosive since that Week 2 loss, looking every part the preseason No. 1 seed.
Hewlett (3-1) at Lynbrook (3-1), 4:30 p.m.
Hewlett has scored at least 24 points in each game this season and Lynbrook just came off a shocking 7-0 loss to Floral Park. Can Lynbrook lose two in a row?
Locust Valley (4-0) vs. Roosevelt (4-0), at Hofstra, 4:30 p.m.
Perhaps the key matchup of the week: Locust Valley came up big in a 13-12 win over Seaford in Week 2, proving they're for real. Roosevelt has been the cardiac kids, winning by slim margins and late comebacks.
