If opening weekend was supposed to provide a gradual introduction to Section XI football, several teams apparently didn’t get the message.
Ward Melville opened with a 48–0 win over Brentwood, and quarterback Hudson Philbrick did most of his damage before halftime. Philbrick completed 10 of 16 passes for 159 yards and five touchdowns in the first half. Joe Karpowicz caught two of them, while the Patriots’ defense added three interceptions. (Newsday)
Half Hollow Hills East was equally emphatic in a 42–0 win over Lindenhurst, while East Islip overwhelmed Comsewogue 43–3. Sachem North beat Patchogue-Medford 42–6, Westhampton defeated Islip 48–13 and Sayville opened with a 20–0 shutout of Babylon. (ATS Network)
William Floyd opened with a 39–21 win over Connetquot, while Longwood survived a more competitive test against Walt Whitman, 37–26. Longwood quarterback Ryan Greene accounted for 297 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the victory. (Newsday)
There were impressive individual performances throughout Suffolk. East Islip’s Andrew Arena rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns, Sachem North quarterback Luke LaRocca threw for 179 yards and four scores, and Westhampton’s Nic Simone ran for 145 yards and three touchdowns. (Newsday)
THE ATS TAKEAWAY
Section XI’s contenders wasted very little time announcing themselves.
Ward Melville looked explosive. Half Hollow Hills East dominated. East Islip and Sachem North were convincing. William Floyd handled its opener, and Sayville did exactly what you expect a contender to do against an opening-week opponent.
But Week 2 brings considerably tougher comparisons.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Ward Melville travels to Longwood in one of the weekend’s best games.
William Floyd–Sachem North should tell us plenty about the Division I race. Half Hollow Hills East gets Huntington, East Islip visits Hauppauge and Sayville meets Harborfields.
Opening weekend created the first impressions.
This week starts separating contenders from everybody else.