BY JIM FURLONG

 

Many Suffolk high school fans will pay attention Saturday afternoon when undefeated and top-ranked Northport hosts long-time power William Floyd. The showdown features two of the top three teams in Division 1.

Northport (6-0) enters No. 1 in the LI BLITZ.COM Conference 1 poll for Nassau and Suffolk teams. Coach Kip Lukralle's Tigers will aim to stop the Colonials' seven-year winning streak for regular-season road games. The Colonials have won 27 in a row on opposing fields since a 2002 setback at Patchogue-Medford.

This season, coach Paul Longo's team, ranked thrid by LI BLITZ.COM this week, has built a five-game winning streak after losing its season opener at home to undefeated Sachem North, which is currently 6-0.

The Colonials finished undefeated in regular-season division games for six consecutive seasons (2003-08)  

Last weekend, Northport continued its high-scoring production with a 39-24 victory at Sachem East.  William Floyd battled at home to beat Connetquot 19-14.William Floyd and Northport will clash for the first time since 2005, when the Colonials claimed a 24-6 playoff victory.

"Sure, this is an interesting game," said Longo. "We will be the best defense they have faced this year. It is, I think, a great offense facing a great defense. This is the first time, in a long time, that this late in the (season), we are playing a team with a better record than us."

With two talented runners in Dan Russo and Tom Delahunty, Northport is averaging a division-high 38 points per game. The Tigers have scored 28 or more points in each game. "We have to keep the ball enough to keep their offense off the field," said Longo.

William Floyd, as usual, leads the division in scoring defense (11.3 points per game). The Colonials have limited six opponents to nine touchdowns in 24 quarters. Northport's surge is surprising since the team was No. 8 for the preseason ratings among the 12 Division I teams. The Tigers showed an overall 18-16 record for the 2005-08 seasons and did not win a playoff game.

William Floyd. which has now won 47 of its last 49 games (10-1 in the playoffs), was rated No. 1 in the division preseason. Both teams are assured a berth in the November county playoffs and may host a 2009 first-round playoff game. What may be at stake Saturday is which team will earn the potential opportunity to host a Suffolk  semifinal game.

The Colonials produced a dominating defense against Connetquot (3-3), but their offense did not score in the second half. Speedy sophomore Stacey Bedell scored on TD runs of eight and 63 yards in the first half.

"I was very disappointed in our offense except for Stacey," said Longo. "We hurt ourselves with penalties, which is getting to be a concern. And we did not finish off drives, which I would like to see."

Senior Darryl Moore, a first-year starter at quarterback, completed only one pass for more than 10 yards (a 30-yarder to Jon Romeo)  against Connetquot. Moore finished 9 of 16 for 66 yards annd threw one interception. Bedell contributed a game-high 90 yards rushing on nine carries. His 63-yard burst was his fifth TD this season. He showed his superior quickness after trying to run the middle and then cut around right end.

"I ran into one of my own guys and bounced to the hole and my quarterback and wide receiver ran to make good blocks," said Bedell. "I thought no one would catch me."

Floyd's most-important defensive play came with 8:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Bobby DeSilva sacked Conneteuot quarterback Ryan Andersen, forcing a fumble near the Thunderbirds' 20-yard line.  Standout senior lineman Kevin Hauter grabbed the loose ball and moved to the end zone for his first varsity touchdown. Joe Miranda kicked the extra point.

"That was Floyd defense," said Hauter, who made a team-high nine tackles. "We had a good pass rush and we shut down theirs runs in the middle. And, when they ran outside, we adjusted to it."

Linebacker Kevin Lacey made seven tackles. Lineman Andrew Incantalupo added seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Linebacker Will Brook intercepted a pass and made a sack.

Connetquot's offense was frustreated on its first eight possessions, getting only 97 yards total yards.

"They were tough to get big plays off," said Andersen. "They stopped the run pretty good. Floyd has a lot of big guys and they swarm to the ball." Connetquot totaled 74 yards on 35 rushes. Floyd's defenders bottled up versatile junior tailback Mike Pellegrino, who scored 14 TDs in the Thunderbirds' first five games.

On its ninth possession, Connetquot stunned the Colonials. Andersen, a senior co-captain, rifled a 65-yard TD pass to Mark Nasson. Andersen, with sustained determination, directed a 68-yard TD drive with 1:09 left in the game. He completed four passes and ran four times, including the last yard to the end zone.

Now, the Floyd defenders will challenge Northport's prolific rushing attack. Versatile Tom Delahunty has sparkled the last three games, gaining 392 yards on 31 carries. He and senior fullback Dan Russo have combined for more than 20 TDs this season. In his last two games, Russo has rushed for 316 yards and scored five TDs. Against Sachem East, Northport quarterback Mike Strebel threw a 56-yard TD pass to Jack Delahunty. Ross Ragonessi added a Tigers' TD with a 34-yard interception return.

But can Northport's defense limit William Floyd? Coach Lukralle knows his defenders have allowed almost twice as many points as the Colonials. All six Northport opponents have scored at least 20 points