Week 6 high school football preview: Battle of unbeatens Sayville and East Islip turns into a turf war

There are only three more regular-season matchups of undefeated high school football teams on Long Island. And only one in Suffolk.

The Week 6 schedule is highlighted by the Suffolk Division III showdown between the powerhouse programs of East Islip and Sayville at 2 p.m. Saturday. Both teams are 5-0.

It’s Homecoming Day at Sayville and the game is traditionally played on the school’s grass field — not on the brand-new turf. That move of venue does not sit well with the visitors.

"I’m surprised a game of this magnitude would be played on that grass field — which is not in great shape," East Islip coach Sal J. Ciampi said. "They have a beautiful turf field in Sayville. We’re all used to playing on turf — every game the past few years has been played on turf. We have the appropriate footwear for turf. And now we’re asking our players to play on a different surface, and that’s a safety issue because footwear is so important. You don’t wear turf shoes on grass, you need cleats. To ask our kids to go out and purchase hundred-dollar cleats for two hours of football is ridiculous."

Sayville coach Reade Sands said, "Tradition is tradition . . . Had this week been a rainy one there was consideration to move the game from the grass to the turf — but it’s been beautiful weather and our grounds crew is working their tails off."

The game pits the two highest-scoring teams in the division. East Islip has scored 214 points, averaging 42.8 per game. Sayville has scored 169, averaging 33.8. Sayville has won seven of the last eight games in the series.

East Islip is powered by halfback Leo Lopez, who has rushed for 618 yards and 10 touchdowns and returned a kickoff for another score. QB Derek Burrell has passed for 364 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 560 yards and seven scores.

Sayville freshman halfback Kyle Messina has been the surprise of the 2021 fall season. He’s rushed for 433 yards and five touchdowns. First-year quarterback Jack Smalley has thrown for 423 yards and five scores. The teams have proved they can score, but defense will be the key to winning.

"We have to play solid defense, tackle and lock people up," Sands said. "This game will come down to fundamentals. We’re two very good teams, and similar in many ways."

Sands knows the Golden Flashes need to contain Burrell. Sayville’s speed at linebacker with brothers Charlie and Benny Sands and Dan O’Doherty will impact the outcome.

NASSAU I

Freeport at Uniondale, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Freeport coach Russ Cellan goes after win No. 250. His first victory as the Freeport coach came against Uniondale on Sept. 27, 1986. The Red Devils have won eight in a row and 12 of 13 against the Knights.

Oceanside at Syosset, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Oceanside has won 10 straight games against Syosset, all by double digits. Thorp Award-winning QB Charlie McKee and the Sailors average 31 points per game. Syosset wide receiver Luca Cutolo has been unstoppable, catching two TD passes in last week’s win over Farmingdale. Both teams are 4-1.

NASSAU II

Garden City at Mepham, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Garden City (5-0) has won 22 consecutive games against the Pirates. The last time Mepham beat GC was on Nov. 13, 1994, when two-time Thorp Award winner Amos Zereoue rushed for 189 yards and a score on 23 carries.

SUFFOLK I

Ward Melville at Whitman, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Whitman is looking to start the season 6-0 for the first time in its 83-year history. Whitman beat Ward Melville in the spring 28-25, the first time the Wildcats had beaten the Patriots since 2002.

SUFFOLK IV

Shoreham-Wading River at Bayport-Blue Point, Saturday, 1 p.m.: Shoreham has won the past 11 meetings by an average margin of 29.7 points. Bayport-Blue-Point’s Brady Clark has passed for 875 yards and 11 scores. Shoreham halfback Max Barone has rushed for 441 yards and 11 TDs. Dylan Zahn has totaled 1,033 all-purpose yards and nine scores.

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.