Long Island high school football games to watch for Week 5

Special teams player one year – key player the next. This is just one of the key ingredients in the winning formula that is Garden City football – winners of 58 straight games, an all-time Long Island record.

Take Owen Anderson, a special team’s standout as a junior, and now the starting fullback and linebacker this year for the Trojans. Or Merit Ruckh, another special team’s player, who now stars in the slot and in the Trojans secondary.

“We have some seniors who are getting their first opportunities to make an impact in the program and they’re playing well,” Garden City football coach Dave Ettinger said. “They’re waiting for their turn and learning the system and filling the open spots.”

There’s something special about being a special teams player for Garden City which is off to another 4-0 start and hosts undefeated Mepham (4-0) in a pivotal Nassau Conference II game Saturday at 1 p.m.

“Mepham has been dominant so far,” Ettinger said. “They were the pre-season two seed for good reason – they’re really good – especially on defense.”

Mepham led by linebacker James Quilty has shut out three of its first four opponents including a very talented Long Beach squad, and allowed only 21 points in that span.

But Garden City will be a different test for Mepham. They must contend with a balanced offense directed by junior quarterback Brayden Robertiello, who has thrown for 354 yards and six scores on just 24 attempts. And Anthony Asaro, who moved from the slot position to tailback and has 354 yards rushing and seven scores in limited action.

A Mepham win would be a monumental upset. The Trojans have not lost since Lindenhurst upended them, 14-13, in the 2019 Long Island Class II final.

Garden City has won the last 27 meetings and 43 of the last 44 games between these teams. The last time Mepham defeated Garden City was Nov. 12, 1994. The loss ended Garden City’s regular season unbeaten streak of 51-0-2. Hmmm!

NASSAU I

Oceanside (2-2) at Syosset (2-2), Friday, 6:30 p.m.

This promises to be an aerial show. A critical victory here keeps the winner in the hunt for a home playoff game. Both teams feature outstanding quarterbacks. Syosset’s Ethan Dizon has thrown for 908 yards and 13 touchdowns. Oceanside’s Shane Harmon passed for 671 yards and 10 scores. Air it out boys!

SUFFOLK II

Half Hollow Hills East (2-2) at Bellport (3-1), Saturday, 2 p.m.

After suffering consecutive losses to open the season defending Division II champion Hills East has righted itself and walloped its last two opponents. Bellport plays a physical game and can go toe-to-toe with Hills East with quarterback/linebacker Braydon Cipp. The RedHawks might have too much firepower for Bellport with the emergence of halfback Jayden Bryan, who scored four touchdowns in last week’s 40-19 win over Connetquot.

NASSAU III

South Side (2-2) at Wantagh (3-1), Saturday, 2 p.m.

Wantagh won the Long Island Class III title last season and South Side was the Nassau Conference III champion in 2023. Both teams suffered close losses last week. South Side lost to Bethpage, 8-2. Wantagh gave up a late score falling to Clarke, 36-34. This is an important bounce back game for both clubs.

SUFFOLK III

Westhampton (2-2) at East Hampton/Bridgehampton (3-1), Sat., 1 p.m.

These once-traditional rivals have played only three times in the last 15 years. Westhampton won all three of those contests and leads the all-time series 35-24-3. This has all that East End appeal – and as programs around them fold or flounder with low participation – these two small town teams continue to thrive. Westhampton has been the King of the East for over a decade. East Hampton had a stunning 45-7 victory last week over Smithtown West and served notice they will be reckoned with in 2025.

SUFFOLK IV

Kings Park (2-2) at Mt. Sinai (2-2), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Only four teams qualify for the playoffs in Suffolk IV making this game a must-win. Kings Park and quarterback Brandon Shapiro have shown a propensity to score averaging 40 points per game. But the Kingsmen defense is like tissue, allowing more than 50 points in three games. Mount Sinai upset high-scoring Miller Place earlier and needs to slow the Kings Park offense down to win.

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.