Saturday, October 3 | 2:00 PM | Ward Melville
Call it Round Three.
William Floyd and Ward Melville saw plenty of each other last season, and neither meeting disappointed. William Floyd took the regular-season matchup, 28–21. A little more than a month later, Ward Melville returned the favor when it mattered most, knocking off the previously undefeated Colonials, 31–28, in the Suffolk Division I playoffs.
Now they meet again.
This time Ward Melville enters 3-0, William Floyd comes in at 2-1, and Saturday afternoon gives us an early look at two programs that expect to be part of the Suffolk Division I conversation when November arrives.
Ward Melville Hasn’t Blinked Yet
Three games. Three wins. Ward Melville opened the season by dominating Brentwood, 48–0, but the Patriots have had to earn the last two. They survived Longwood, 21–18, and followed that with a 35–25 road victory over Connetquot. Through three weeks, Ward Melville has already shown it can win a blowout, survive a tight game and respond when an opponent pushes back.
Quarterback Hudson Philbrick remains at the center of it. Against Connetquot, Philbrick threw for 124 yards and two touchdowns while adding 101 yards and two more scores on the ground. Chris Retzlaff added 60 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving the Patriots multiple ways to stress a defense.
Philbrick also knows this opponent well. In Ward Melville’s playoff win over Floyd last season, he threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots found enough offense to escape with the 31–28 victory.
William Floyd Isn’t Coming to Watch
If there is one thing nobody should do, it’s mistake William Floyd’s 2-1 record for a team that suddenly disappeared. The Colonials opened with a 39–21 win over Connetquot before running into Sachem North and taking a 35–13 loss. Floyd responded the way you would expect a Paul Longo-coached program to respond, getting back in the win column against Brentwood, 42–21.
And William Floyd doesn’t need anyone to explain what Ward Melville represents. The Colonials were 10-0 when Ward Melville ended their season last November. Floyd had beaten the Patriots during the regular season, only to watch Ward Melville flip the result when the two teams met again in the postseason.
Saturday isn’t a playoff game. But don’t expect it to feel like just another game on the schedule.
Strength Against Strength
This matchup could come down to who gets to dictate how the game is played. Ward Melville brings an offense that can stretch a defense in multiple directions. Philbrick’s ability to throw the football and create with his legs forces defenses to defend every inch of the field, while Retzlaff gives the Patriots another legitimate option on the ground.
William Floyd has traditionally been comfortable turning games into physical contests. The Colonials want to establish themselves at the line of scrimmage, keep the chains moving and force opponents to deal with their style for four quarters.
That’s where this one gets interesting.
Ward Melville has already survived close games this season. William Floyd has already had to respond to adversity. Now each gets its biggest measuring stick yet.
What to Watch
Can Floyd control the football?
Keeping Philbrick and the Ward Melville offense on the sideline may be one of the best ways to defend them. If William Floyd can consistently win first down, sustain drives and turn Saturday into a possession game, the Colonials can force Ward Melville to play on their terms.
Can Ward Melville create explosive plays?
The Patriots don’t necessarily need 12-play drives. Philbrick and senior receiver Joey Karpowicz have already shown the ability to create big plays in this matchup. Karpowicz had 131 receiving yards against Floyd during last year’s regular-season meeting and exploded for 141 yards and a touchdown in the playoff rematch.
And what happens when the game gets tight? Because history says it probably will. The last two meetings were decided by seven points and three points.
There Is Some History Here Now
You don’t need decades of history to build a rivalry. Sometimes you just need meaningful games. William Floyd won the first one. Ward Melville won the one that ended a season. And now, less than a year later, here we are again.
Two Suffolk Division I programs with championship expectations. Two teams trying to establish themselves early in 2026. Two teams that already know exactly what the other is capable of.
William Floyd vs. Ward Melville.
Round Three.