Long Island high school football playoff preview: County semifinals

The phenomenal careers of two record-breaking players collide again this weekend in the semifinal round of the high school football playoffs.

For the seventh time in the past four years, Babylon halfback Aidan Winter and Miller Place quarterback Shane Kiernan will meet in a Suffolk Division IV game.

Only this time one will advance their high school career at least one more game to the Suffolk championship game and the other will be finished. Miller Place plays at Babylon in a Suffolk IV semifinal at 6 p.m. on Friday.

“It’s going to be a battle and those two are going to have a major impact on the outcome,” Babylon coach Rick Punzone said. “Other players are going to have to stand up and make big plays. We must make Kiernan uncomfortable. We can’t let him sit back there and pick us apart. We’ve had no answer for the Miller Place offense.”

Neither team has solved the other’s offense. Kiernan has shredded Babylon in the past three games for 137 points. He’s passed for 1,244 yards and 15 touchdowns in those encounters, winning only one game.

“One of those great high school careers will end Friday night and with it a fantastic rivalry,” Miller Place coach Adam St. Nicholas said. “Winter has destroyed our defense, even when he was hobbled by an ankle injury. He’s so gritty and physical. We’ll need to stop him.”

In the eighth week of the regular season, Babylon rallied for 15 points in the final 2:30 to win, 49-48. Winter had three TDs and 150 yards in the first quarter and set the tone for a wild shootout. He is currently the second leading rusher on Long Island with 1,754 yards and 26 TDs.

Kiernan leads LI with 2,425 yards passing and 25 TDs.

Brace for impact!

All Nassau County semifinal games are at Hofstra

NASSAU I

Massapequa (9-0) vs. Syosset (5-4), Friday, 4 p.m.

The two-time defending champions have dominated the conference this season. They have been tested only once as the roster reload has been successful led by quarterback Luke Garguilo. Massapequa averages 43 points per game and buried Syosset, 42-7, in Week 6. But Syosset and QB Ethan Dizon come in hot off a thrilling 49-48 win over Port Washington.

NASSAU I

Farmingdale (8-1) vs. Oceanside (7-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

This is a rematch of Week 2 in which Farmingdale won, 64-57. Dalers halfback Josh Kama broke the LI record with 495 yards on 26 carries and scored seven TDs. Kama has been hampered by a shoulder injury for the second half of the season but still managed 1,357 yards rushing and 19 scores. Jovens Theodate, has done a remarkable job in Kama’s absence, rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 TDs. Oceanside has scored more points than any of the 110 teams on Long Island, averaging 46 points. Halfback Chace Morris rushed for 1,120 yards and 25 TDs.

SUFFOLK II

Northport (8-1) at East Islip (8-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

This is the televised National Football Foundation Game of the Week<NM1> sponsored by Orlin & Cohen<NM>. It promises to be another nailbiter. East Islip earned the top seed in the playoffs when it beat Northport, 35-21, in the season finale. East Islip’s Jake Simmons has been a workhorse with 1,456 yards rushing and 22 TDs. They will try to take control up front and run over the Tigers. Northport counters with outstanding QB Simon Blissett, who’s thrown for 1,906 yards and 23 TDs.

SUFFOLK III

East Hampton (6-3) at Sayville (9-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

The teams met in Week 7, and Sayville pulled out a hard-fought 28-14 victory. Sayville, the defending Division III champion, is led by QB Patrick Coan, who’s thrown for 1,592 yards and 21 TDs. He’s also rushed for 727 yards and 12 scores. East Hampton won its first playoff game since 1994 when the Bonackers beat Islip, 48-7. Stop Coan, win the game.

SUFFOLK II

Huntington (7-2) at Half Hollow Hills East (7-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.

Huntington shocked the Suffolk Division II champions in the season opener, 28-14. Hills East lost its first two games of the season but has reeled off seven straight wins, averaging 41 points. The running game has totaled 2,213 rushing yards and 24 TDs. Huntington is enjoying its best season in a dozen years with the hard running of Yasir Jones and the passing of Jacob Guzik. They combined for 2,575 yards.

NASSAU III

Carey (7-2) vs. Wantagh (6-3), Sunday, 2 p.m.

This is a battle of two defending LI champions. Carey won Class II and Wantagh took Class III. Wantagh ended Carey’s 16-game win streak earlier this season.

Andy Slawson contributed to this story

By Gregg Sarra

gregg.sarra@newsday.com@Gregg_Sarra

Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.