Sports Digest: Football Championships, Soccer All-Star Games

As December approaches, many athletes are now gearing up a slate of winter season sports. A few events over the weekend signified the last of the fall championship games as well as all-star showcases. Congratulations to all student-athletes on an exceptional fall performance.

Long Island Class I Championship

Floyd (10-2) def. East Meadow (10-2)- 54-47

One of the most prolific offenses in recent time, that of East Meadow, put up its points as usual on Sunday afternoon in the Long Island title game. However, Suffolk champion William Floyd burst out to a big enough lead, that a late, furious Jet comeback wasn’t enough to claim victory.

East Meadow lost by a 54-47 final over the weekend. The Jets came back after being down 35-14 to tie the game at 47 apiece, but a late Floyd touchdown and an interception by Dylan Curry sealed the eventual win for Floyd. Robbie Healy, who set the Nassau County record for total touchdowns in a season last week, led the offense with 176 yards, followed by teammate Billy Andrle with 128 yards and three touchdowns. 

East Meadow edged out defending Long Island champion Freeport just a week ago.

Long Island Class II Championship

Newfield (9-3) def. Garden City (11-1)- 14-7

Garden City had dominated every opponent it played all season long, winning its third straight Nassau County championship against Wantagh. However, the Trojans had their undefeated run stopped by surprise Suffolk champion Newfield on Friday.

The seven-point loss stopped the team from winning its fifth Long Island title in school history, largely in part to a dominant Newfield defense. The lone score for Garden City came on a 6-yard run by Mark Ellis in the third quarter, who led the team in total touchdowns this season. 

Long Island Class III Championship

Sayville (12-0) def. Lawrence (10-2)- 78-61 

There was one thing easily found in the Class III championship on Sunday afternoon: offense. Sayville and Lawrence combined for an astounding 139 total points as the Suffolk champions, and now Long Island champions, scored a title game points record along and completed an undefeated season. 

Gaudy offensive numbers were easy to come by on either side. Lawrence's sophomore quarterback Joey Capobianco topped his record-setting 333 yards a week prior against Plainedge with 541 passing yards and seven touchdowns -- both new Long Island championship records. Junior Eddie Robinson had 238 yards on eight receptions and three scores, more total yards than Sayville’s Steven Ferreira passed for in the entire game. 

Tyler Fredericks had 119 yards and three touchdowns on six receptions and his brother Jordan had 138 yards and a score on seven receptions. Their senior brother, Ryan, had 126 rushing yards and 46 more yards on six receptions. Despite all of the “airing it out," Sayville QB Steven Ferreira, running back Zach Sirico (224 yards, six touchdowns) and their team came out on top in the end. 

Nassau-Suffolk Exceptional Seniors All-Star Games

Over the weekend, Long Island's best senior soccer players suited up for one last high school showcase as the soon-to-be graduates of 2012 from both Nassau and Suffolk County played in two separate games at Dowling College. 

In the first game of the Saturday doubleheader, Suffolk topped Nassau by a 2-1 final score. Island Trees senior Mike Gronenthal, who led the Bulldogs in goals and to a Class A finals appearance this season, scored first to go up 1-0 in the opening half. Gronenthal's teammate, Anthony Leonick, had a late breakaway chance in the second half after the Nassau side fell behind after Suffolk scored the next two goals, but could not convert.

In the second game featuring a new slate of senior all-stars, Suffolk jumped out to a 2-0 lead. With less than 27 minutes remaining in the second half, Elmont’s Justin Okoro scored for the Nassau side, followed by a second goal from Garden City senior Sean Bingham to help Nassau tie the game 2-2.

Many local college scouts and recruiters were on hand to witness the senior athletes, as many have yet to decide where they will be attending school in 2012. 

Other Town of Hempstead participants not named from both Nassau teams included:

• Paul Sandoval (Mineola)
• J.T. Famularo (Island Trees)
• Edgar Quintanilla (Lawrence)
• Alex Ramirez (Lawrence)
• Christian Lird (Mineola)
• Wilber Romero (Clarke)
• Daniel Muller (Mineola)
• Chris Harkins (South Side)
• Dylan Palacio (Long Beach)
• Alex Melnyczuk (East Meadow)
• Teddy Spanos (Garden City)