Central Islip Football Players Honor Joshua Mileto During Game

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - Central Islip football players recently honored a Sachem High School East student who died during a football camp over the summer prior to a game with the team.

In August, 16-year-old Joshua Mileto, who was a cornerback and wide receiver for the Flaming Arrows, died after suffering an injury during an off-season football workout at the Farmingville school.

According to Dawn Wandle, the mother of Sachem East football captain Tyler Butkevich, before the game last week, the Central Islip players came out to field wearing shirts with the No. 5, Mileto's football number, printed on them.

"Our community has been in great pain," Wandle said. "For a team to come in to us and show such respect and compassion shows what kind of boys they are."

The players all received a standing ovation from the crowd.

"They may not have the best record right now but they have shown themselves to be way more then any scoreboard," Wandle said. "Thank you Central Islip football varsity team. Your parents should all be proud!"

Photo courtesy of Dawn Wandle