Quarterback Timothy Stanley of Division prepares to pass during a...

Quarterback Timothy Stanley of Division prepares to pass during a Nassau football game against Manhasset on Friday, September 12, 2025 in Manhasset. Credit: Dawn McCormick

After a strong junior campaign, Division is anticipating a big season from quarterback Tim Stanley.

The senior is off to a hot start.

Stanley completed 21 of 29 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns to lead visiting Division to a 35-17 win over Manhasset in a Nassau Conference III football opener Friday night.

Stanley’s first pass of the game was intercepted by Luke DePietro, giving Manhasset possession on Division’s 40-yard line. But the Blue Dragons defense forced a punt and Stanley went back on the attack and led Division to three straight touchdown drives.

Stanley beamoned "having that be your opening pass of the season, especially knowing how many people are counting on me and how many times we ran that play. It’s disappointing, but it’s just that next play mentality.”

He capped a 13-play, 88-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Mirelis.

On Division’s next drive, he found Mirelis down the field for a 31-yard TD. Stanley later aired it out for a 41-yard TD pass to Jason Perez to give Division a 28-3 lead with 4:07 left in the first half.

“What a way to bounce back from that interception,” Stanley said. “Not just me, but all the guys.”

Facing a fourth-and-long, Stanley dropped in a perfectly placed 19-yard TD pass to Mirelis in the back right corner of the end zone to give Division a 35-11 lead with 4:32 left in the game.

Mirelis caught eight passes for 122 yards and three scores.

“I was nervous at the start, but once I caught the first touchdown, I just kept on going,” Mirelis said. “I’ve got to give all the credit to Tim.”

Perez got the Blue Dragons out to a perfect start, returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a TD.

“It felt amazing. I called it in the locker room,” Perez said. “I said, ‘opening kickoff, I’m gonna bring it to the house.’ And that’s what I did.”

The senior added six receptions for 110 yards and a TD.

Henry Jervis had 20 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns and added a two-point conversion run for Manhasset.

Division went 3-5 last year and missed the playoffs despite being named the most improved team in Nassau III. Stanley threw for 1,728 yards and 18 TDs and was nominated for the Don Snyder Award, given annually to the top QB in Nassau.

“He’s ready to repeat his success from last year, but he knows that he has a lot of work to put in and he has to stay driven and stay focused,” coach Joe Hartman said. “We had a good year last year. We were the most improved team, but at the same time, we knew we could’ve done a lot better.”

What do the Blue Dragons have in mind this year?

Said Stanley: “Shock everyone. Win every game.”

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME