Nassau Conference II football: Everything you need to know

Nassau Conference II teams had a one-year reprieve, as Garden City dropped to Conference III last year. But with the Trojans, winners of nine straight county championships (eight in Conference II) returning to their usual conference, the power dynamic may be shifting back in their favor.

But Long Beach isn’t ready to simply hand them another title, and the Marines will get the first chance at ending Garden City’s Long Island-record 54-game win streak.

Long Beach opens its season against Garden City on Saturday. Long Beach returns a strong core from last year’s team that reached the Nassau II semifinals.

Among the returning starters are players in arguably the two most important positions in high school football — starting quarterback Charlie Conway and running back Brody Riedel, who both start on defense, as well.

Long Beach has never won a county title and has played in only one county final. Conway and Riedel are looking to change that.

“I really think this year is our year to go really far,” Riedel said. “We’ve been putting in a lot of work and we’re pretty much all returning players, so I’m really pumped. It’s good that the players know what we’re going into. It’s not our first time stepping on the field for varsity and we know what’s coming.”

They are aware that what’s coming likely starts and ends with Garden City. Still, they are ready for the challenge.

“Obviously, Garden City is going to be the big factor and competition, but I really think that we can step up this year, make it to the final four and possibly higher,” Riedel said. “I just have a lot of confidence in our team.”

Said Conway: “We had a young team last year, so we have a lot of returning players. I feel like we had a good summer, a good offseason. We’ve been in the gym a lot and we’re going to do well.”

Carey, the reigning Long Island Class II champions, dropped to Conference III.

Coach Scott Martin said Long Beach looks forward to the challenge of competing against Garden City again, and after the Trojans graduated a strong class last year, he believes in the Marines’ ability to compete.

“It looks like a very balanced league and it looks like anybody can make a move on it,” Martin said. “We give great respect to Garden City, but these guys didn’t win 50-plus games in a row. Those guys have moved on, so they are kind of in the mix with us, I think.”

INSIDE THE CONFERENCE

Coaching spotlight

Bobby Fehrenbach, MacArthur

Fehrenbach, in his 27th year leading the Generals, is the second-longest tenured head coach in the conference. MacArthur is 149–91–2 (.620 winning percentage) over his first 26 seasons, and has made the playoffs in 24 years. Fehrenbach has guided the Generals to six county finals appearances, including victories in 2015 and 2002.

Games to watch

Garden City vs. Long Beach at Long Beach Middle School, Saturday, September 13, 2 p.m.

Garden City returns to Conference II with its Long Island-record 54-game winning streak, and Long Beach could have the ingredients to shock the Trojans in Week 1. Long Beach returns starting quarterback Charlie Conway and running back Brody Riedel along with many other starters. The Marines are confident in their ability to challenge and compete with the class of Long Island football.

New Hyde Park at East Meadow, Friday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.

James Galiano (East Meadow) and Lukas Rinaldi (New Hyde Park) will go head-to-head under the lights at both running back and linebacker as two of the top two-way players in Conference II. East Meadow dropped from Conference I to Conference II this fall, and this matchup between preseason No. 4 and No. 5 could be crucial toward determining which team hosts a first-round playoff game.

Long Beach at Mepham, Saturday, Sept, 27, 2 p.m.

The preseason No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the conference meet in a matchup that should secure a top three seed for the postseason. That can be especially advantageous in a conference with Garden City. Mepham defeated Long Beach, 35-7, last year, and both teams return talent from last season. Mepham features a strong linebacking core, led by James Quilty.

Baldwin at Roosevelt, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m.

Roosevelt and Baldwin will be competitive throughout the fall in pursuit of a postseason spot, and this could be a pivotal matchup for one of these teams advancing into the playoffs. Ryan Healey, who had eight tackles for loss last year, takes the lead for Baldwin. Ely McRae enters his second season as Roosevelt’s starting quarterback and with Bryan Quero leading the way on the line, the Rough Riders hope to surprise the conference this year. A win over preseason No. 8 Baldwin would help make that goal a reality.

East Meadow at Glen Cove, Friday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m.

If you’re a fan of big, physical offensive line play, be sure to watch Yiannis Kakavas (East Meadow) and Aidan Ham (Glen Cove) under the lights. Ham, at 6-7, 250 pounds, and Kakavas, at 6-1, 260 pounds, will both show their strengths in this matchup.

Five-year trend

Spring 2021: Garden City

Fall 2021: Garden City

2022: Garden City

2023: Garden City

2024: Carey