Suffolk Division I football: Everything you need to know

Automated narration.

Joe Benedetto of Ward Melville. Credit: Peter Frutkoff

By Andy Slawsonandy.slawson@newsday.comSeptember 5, 2025 12:00 pm

Can Ward Melville win it all this year? Coach Chris Boltrek is cautiously optimistic.

“I think we are going to be good but there are many good teams in our division,” he said. “And we can’t have any major injuries.”

Ward Melville won the Suffolk Division I title three years ago after upsetting No. 1 Floyd in the semifinals. It was Ward Melville’s first Suffolk title in 35 years, but then it lost in their own Long Island Championship appearance.

The Patriots have great skill players in junior quarterback Hudson Philbrick, senior halfback Joe Benedetto and junior wide receiver Joey Karpowicz. Philbrick passed for 1,230 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Benedetto rushed for 1,315 yards and 10 scores.

If Ward Melville is to get back to the LIC, it will again have to go through Floyd, which is 21-3 against the Patriots since 1995 (the teams have split the last four meetings).

“Floyd sets the bar very high,” Boltrek said. “We want to win with their consistency.”

Floyd, the two-time defending Division I champion, lost to Massapequa in the Class I LI final each of the last two years.

Floyd has star running back Ja’Quan Thomas, who last year led LI in rushing yards with 2,594 and scoring with 37 touchdowns. Senior Aisays Wallace will be a great complement to Thomas in the backfield.

“He is a real speedster and a slasher,” Floyd coach Paul Longo said. “We are very happy to have two outstanding running backs.”

Longwood and Sachem North will also make a run at the division title. Longwood has Kaden Reid, who led LI with eight interceptions and was the recipient of the Tom Cassese Award as Suffolk’s top defensive back. He also will be a force on offense as a runner and pass-catcher.

Sachem North boasts a balanced offense led by junior quarterback Luke LaRocca. Two-way lineman Valdey Pierre is a three-year starter and a standout on defense.

INSIDE THE DIVISION

Coaching spotlight

Chris Boltrek, Ward Melville

When you talk to Boltrek, you can see he is filled with pride about his program. A 2003 graduate of Ward Melville, he played guard and defensive end. He was an assistant at the lower levels for seven years before becoming the head coach 12 years ago. Boltrek has guided the Patriots to four Suffolk finals, including a championship in 2022. He said he wants to “take this program to a higher place where it’s never been before.”

Games to watch

Floyd at Sachem North, Friday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.: These two teams have won more county titles than any other schools in the division, with Floyd winning 15 and Sachem North seven.

Longwood at Ward Melville, Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.: This is the preseason No. 3 seed at No. 2. The teams have split their past 12 games including last season. Ward Melville won the Division I semifinal last season, 14-7.

Longwood at Floyd, Saturday, Oct. 4, 12 p.m.: This game is dubbed the “Parkway Bowl” because just six miles of the William Floyd Parkway separates the schools. Floyd has won the last 12 games in the series dating to 2016.

Ward Melville at Floyd, Saturday, Oct. 18, 12 p.m.: These are the preseason top two seeds. Last season they split their two games, with Floyd winning the Division I final, 34-6.

Sachem East at Sachem North, Saturday, Oct. 18, 12 p.m.: This crosstown rivalry is for bragging rights between neighbors. The game could also be for a potential home playoff game.