Sayville QB Olivia Moynihan wins James Conrad Metzger Top Scholar Athlete award
Olivia Moynihan of Sayville passes against Division during the Long Island Class B flag football final at Longwood on May 31. Credit: David Meisenholder
When Olivia Moynihan tossed a football around with the boys at recess, she never imagined a day when girls would be able to play the sport, too. Now she stands as a pioneer in developing flag football on Long Island.
The Sayville quarterback was awarded the inaugural James Conrad Metzger Top Scholar Athlete award for flag football presented by the National Football Foundation’s Suffolk County chapter Sunday at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge.
Moynihan, already at the University of New Hampshire getting ready to begin her freshman season as a goalkeeper for the Wildcats’ Division I soccer team, couldn’t attend the award ceremony, though a video of her acceptance speech was played.
“It’s amazing because we’ve seen all the hard work she’s put in over the years,” said Olivia’s mother, Lisa. “For her to receive this award and get that recognition, I’m just in awe of it, and I’m so proud.”
The Newsday Player of the Year completed 256 of 327 passes for 2,886 yards and 57 touchdowns with only two interceptions and added 1,151 yards rushing and eight TDs on 110 carries.
“We are so happy she decided to play this sport,” Lisa said. “We’re really going to miss it. The community and the friends we’ve all gained from this, it’s something really special.”
Olivia carried her success from the field to the classroom, finishing with a 103 average. She also was the student body president her senior year, a member of Athletes Helping Athletes, the Leadership Club and the Key Club, and a three-year member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
“She’s just such a well-rounded and humble girl,” Lisa said. “I think she’s started to realize that setting an example like this can really have an impact on younger girls and she can be an inspiration.”
Although Moynihan’s main sport has always been soccer, her father, Brian, said flag football has a special place in her heart. He hopes she will find a way to remain involved in the sport.
“I always tell her to bring a football to throw around before soccer practice,” Brian said. “She grew so much from this sport, so maybe she’ll continue this some other way.”
The Golden Seven Honorees. Top row, from left: Abigail LaRegina of Whitman, Delaney Israel of Longwood, Samantha Heyman of Half Hollow Hills East, Seated, from left: Olivia McDermott of Bay Shore, Taylor Riley of West Islip and Jenna Vormittag of Eastport-South Manor. Olivia Moynihan of Sayville was not present for the photo. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Seven other scholar-athletes were honored Sunday as part of the inaugural 2025 National Football Foundation flag football Golden Seven: Samantha Heyman (Half Hollow Hills East), Olivia McDermott (Bay Shore), Taylor Riley (West Islip), Delaney Israel (Longwood), Kaylin Mallon (Connetquot), Abigail LaRegina (Whitman), and Jenna Vormittag (Eastport-South Manor).
Heyman, Half Hollow Hills’ quarterback and Newsday’s Dual Player of the Year, said she feels honored to be recognized as a Golden Seven.
“It’s so special,” she said. “But what makes it even more special is the fact that my teammates are here to celebrate with me. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible, so I have so much gratitude for them.”
Heyman led Long Island with 3,954 yards passing, throwing for 60 TDs, and rushed for 1,645 yards and 18 TDs. On defense, she totaled 88 flag pulls and 16 interceptions.
Heyman led Half Hollow Hills to the Long Island Class A championship, ending Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK’s 52-game winning streak. Half Hollow Hills lost to Scarsdale, 20-6, in the state championship game in Cortland in June.
Heyman said the team already is looking ahead to the 2026 season.
“Since that last game, we’ve already been strategizing,” she said. “We all felt that pain together, but it’s just made us stronger, and we’re just excited to get out there again.”
Half Hollow Hills coach Michael Lupa earned Coach of the Year and Charles Groh was named Official of the Year.
The inaugural Iron Grit Award went to West Babylon’s Olivia Stuart. Stuart battled an ankle injury, missing what was supposed to be her breakout season. She continued to prove her commitment to the team, going to every practice, and she even helped coach. In the final game of the season, she got back on the field.
“I’ve had a few setbacks during my athletic career, but this injury was the most challenging,” she said. “I learned the importance of patience and that a person’s impact on their team isn’t always just measured in stats.”
