Hills West Running Back Picked for All-Star Football

Devante McFarlane will get to play one more high school football game before he graduates this year.

The dynamic running back, who also saw time as quarterback and wide receiver this past season, was selected to the Long Island squad of the 17th annual United Healthcare Empire Challenge high school football all-star game.

The top 100 football players from around the Island and New York City were chosen to play in the game, which will kick off June 19 at 7 p.m. at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.

McFarlane, who is the sixth best player in New York State, according to Rivals.com sports rankings, was recruited to Division I Syracuse University the summer after his junior year. The outstanding player pushed the Colts to the Long Island Championship during his sophomore year as the most successful tackler and lead in rushing. 

He was also named the MVP of the May 2012 Nike Combine at Penn State and served as team captain his senior year. McFarlane rushed 70 times for 754 yards and 12 touchdowns, and had 11 receptions for 221 yards as a senior.

The game is the brainchild of for NFL star and East Islip native Boomer Esiason. It benefits the Boomer Esiason Foundation in its fight against cystic fibrosis, contributes to the Gunnar H. Esiason Endowed Scholarship Fund at Hofstra, and supports youth and high school football in the New York metropolitan area.

MSG Varsity will broadcast live coverage of the game in HD (TV-14) and on MSGVarsity.com.

Long Island Roster

1. Kareen Are, QT, Sewanhaka
2. Isaiah Barnes, QB, Freeport
3. Stacey Bedell, RB, William Floyd 
4. Ken Berryhill, OT, Freeport 
5. Matt Biscardi, C, St. Anthony’s 
6. Jere Brown, WR, Freeport
7. Ralph Caccavale, WR, Plainedge 
8. Todd Collins, DT, East Islip
9. Dalton Crossan, RB, Sachem North 
10. Rich Czeczotka, QB, John Glenn
11. Ron Denig, LB, Newfield
12. Tom Diubaldo, LB, Newfield
13. Mark Ellis, CB, Garden City
14. Ryan Fredericks, RB, Lawrence
15. Steven Ferreira, QB, Sayville
16. Mike Gilbert, DT, Garden City
17. Darius Greene, DT, Longwood
18. Thomas Hannan, WR, Sayville
19. Robbie Healy, WR, East Meadow
20. Chris Hercules, LB, Lawrence
21. Evan Kappatos, LB, Syosset
22. Chris Makulik, FB/TE, Patchogue-Medford
23. Matt McDaniels, WR, Kellenberg
24. Devante McFarlane, CB, Half Hollow Hills West
25. Pat McHugh, DT   St. Anthony’s
26. Dom Morales, OG, East Meadow
27. Matt Morganelli, DT, Smithtown West
28. Ryan Norton, K, Garden City
29. Omari Palmer, OT, Longwood
30. Erin Parker, RB, Roosevelt
31. Vincent Provenzano, SS, Sachem North
32. Alex Rawa, WR, Locust Valley
33. Mike Richardson, WR, West Babylon
34. Tyler Rigo, LB, East Islip
35. Griffin Rock, C, Bay Shore
36. James Rupp, FS, Sayville
37. Julian Santiago, LB, Newfield
38. Kenny Scotland, DE, Comsewogue
39. Brian Sheng, DE, Syosset
40. Mike Silva, CB, Newfield
41. Mike Sollenne, OT, Massapequa
42. Luke Spitzer,  FS, Lynbrook
43. Tim Stackpole, SS, St. Anthony’s
44. Aaron Thompson, DE, Deer Park
45. Trayvon Toney, LB, Huntington
46. Anthony Turano, OG, Massapequa
47. Brian VonBargen, CB, Wantagh
48. Nick Wagner, WR,  John Glenn
49. Mike White, OG, East Islip
50. Brandon Winters, OT, William Floyd

*This article has been corrected. It originally stated that United Healthcare Empire Challenge was in its 15th year. It is in its 17th year.