Suffolk Division II football: Everything you need to know

“One point. One lousy point,” Half Hollow Hills East coach Alex Marcelin said as he was describing his team’s loss in last season's Long Island Class II championship game to Carey, 37-36.

The RedHawks won their first Suffolk football title last season and finished 10-2. They were happy to make it to the LIC, but the close loss left a bad taste in their mouths.

“We were up by 13 with less than eight minutes left,” Marcelin said. “It was a terrible way to finish the season.”

But now a new season is here and Marcelin thinks his team is talented enough to get back to the LIC and win it this time. “We have some great players,” he said.

Those players include senior running back Daniel White, who rushed for 2,306 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior. Senior quarterback Nick Sevilla passed for more than 1,500 yards and 13 scores. Then there are seniors Trevon Cole-Jenkins (6-3, 265) and Keith McDowell (6-5, 340) to anchor the offensive line. Sophomore linebacker Jayden Bryan led the defense with 91 tackles and eight sacks as a freshman.

“He’s a game-changer,” Marcelin said. “Jayden is even bigger and stronger this year.”

East Islip will be a top contender for the Division II crown. The program has been in 14 Suffolk finals since 2001, winning five titles. It will rely heavily on senior running backs Jake Simmons and Niko Meyers behind offensive lineman Dylan Bayer, a Newsday All-Long Island first team selection last season.

Huntington and Bellport could also contend for the title. The Blue Devils haven’t reached a final since 2013. They will have a balanced attack with seniors Jacob Guzik (quarterback) and Yasir Jones (running back) leading the way.

Bellport, playing its 50th year of football, is traditionally a strong team and will be led by senior quarterback Braydon Cipp.

INSIDE THE DIVISION

Coaching spotlight

Ron Wilson, Huntington

For Wilson, it's all about Blue Devil pride. A 1994 graduate of Huntington, he played running back and linebacker. Wilson, a dean at the high school, is in third year as the head coach after serving as an assistant for 25 seasons. He is also the boys track coach. “I love this community since I was child,” Wilson said. “We have great support from the alumni and the community.”

Games to watch

Bellport at East Islip, Friday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.: This is an old-school rivalry. East Islip won both games last season, including a Division II quarterfinal. The all-time series is tied at 19 wins apiece.

Huntington at Half Hollow Hills East, Saturday, Sept. 13, 1:30 p.m.: These teams met in the regular season finale and then in the first round of the playoffs. And now they'll meet in the first week of the season, a rare back-to-back-to-back meetings between two teams. Hills East, the defending Suffolk Division II champion, won both of last season's games by close scores. Can upstart Huntington take down the champs?

Connetquot at Bellport, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2 p.m.: This is only the seventh meeting all-time between these teams. This one could go a long way in determining playoff seeding. Connetquot last beat Bellport in the 1989 Suffolk Large Schools final.

East Islip at Half Hollow Hills East, Friday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m.: These are the preseason top two seeds. The teams met last year for the first time in 16 years. They split their games, with Hills East's win giving the program its first Suffolk title. 

Commack at North Babylon, Saturday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m.: This is the first meeting between these schools since 1967. A playoff spot for both teams may be on the line.

Five-year trend

2021 spring: West Islip
2021 fall: Bellport
2022: Bellport
2023: North Babylon
2024: Half Hollow Hills East