Floyd football motivated to do big things this season following loss in LIC
Floyd senior halfback Ja’quan Thomas participates in drills during football camp in Mastic Beach on Tuesday. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Bicycles lay strewn about the clubhouse. Dirty tees, socks and gear were everywhere. This is Floyd’s football locker room – a display of chaos where players get in and get out as quickly as possible.
Don’t be late to the practice field – or you’ll have to deal with the seniors who pridefully carry the Colonials’ winning tradition. No one lingers and some are in full sprint to the field.
“It’s about discipline and commitment,” Floyd coach Paul Longo said. “You know right away if a kid is all in and serious or not. We are fortunate that we have a great bunch of athletes that take pride in our winning tradition.”
It’s all about business for Floyd captain Jayden Johnson, a behemoth of a defensive tackle at 6-4, 318 pounds.
“We put in the time this offseason and this is going to be our year,” Johnson said. “We’re the top seed for a reason. We came up a little short last year and that’s our motivation.”
Longo, who guided the Colonials to 15 Suffolk Division I titles and five Long Island Class I championships in his 31 years, saw his team lose a wild 42-40 decision to Massapequa in the Long Island Class I final. He sees the potential in this Floyd unit.
“We have to play better defensively this year,” he said. “We were young last year and that experience will serve us well this season. Our guys look good in the box so far and the lines are coming together.”
Floyd opens the Suffolk Division I schedule at Sachem North on Friday Sept. 12. The Colonials hope to finish the schedule in the Long Island Class I title game at Hofstra University.
“We have a tough season opener with Sachem North,” said senior two-way lineman Matt Benjamin. “We were told after last season to get into the gym and get stronger. And there would be more opportunities.”
Benjamin verbally committed to play at LIU after he impressed recruiters at summer camp. The 6-5, 285-pounder worked out with his father Courtney Benjamin throughout the offseason and came into camp in great shape.
“He’s going to be a difference maker,” Longo said. “He’s put in the time and set the example for the younger players.”
Perhaps cause for so much optimism in Mastic Beach is the return of halfback Ja’Quan Thomas, a 6-2, 220-pound halfback, who led Long Island in rushing a year ago with 2,594 yards and 37 touchdowns on 298 carries as a junior.
“He’s a special kind of player,” Longo said. “He’s one of those incredible backs and rightfully compared to some of our other great halfbacks that come through our program. Guys who won championships, like Stacey Bedell and Brock Jackolski.”
Thomas said he’s excited about the chance to win a Long Island title.
“It all starts with the line,” Thomas said. “And I like what I see in our line. They’re big and fast and ready to go.”
MASSAPEQUA
Although some question whether Massapequa can match their success after graduating key players, the senior-heavy squad believes its depth and determination will quiet any doubts.
The back-to-back Long Island Class I champions will be without two of its biggest playmakers: star running back/defensive back Tyler Villalta, who piled up 1,650 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on 218 carries while adding 205 receiving yards and four scores, and Snyder Award-winning quarterback Joey Diesso, who threw for 1,335 yards and 20 touchdowns and added 556 yards and nine TDs on the ground.
“We have a lot of returning faces, we have 32 seniors, but we’ve got to replace guys like Diesso and Villalta,” coach Kevin Shippos said. “And we have guys that we feel can handle those roles.”
One of them is Andrew Pedalino, who’s stepping into the backfield with confidence.
“I’m used to playing in big games,” Pedalino said. “I’ve been playing all my life, so I’m just excited to get out there and show what I’ve got.”
His teammates echo that confidence.
“He’s an insane athlete,” senior Tristan Tarasi said. “He got some reps last year, and we’re confident in what he’ll be able to do for us this season.”
As for the quarterback position, it will be filled by either junior Luke Garguilo or sophomore Blake Seidenstein.
“I think they’re both capable,” Shippos said. “It’s been a good battle all summer, and it’s been a good battle through camp, so we’re going to let it play out.”
With Freeport on the horizon for week one, Tarasi and his teammates are ready to make their own mark this season.
“It’s the 2025 season, not the 2024 season,” Tarasi said. “We have a target on our backs, and I’m sure a lot of people are doubting us, but we’re ready to write our own story.”
- JOLIE KATZEN
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
