Gridiron Greats from Week 6 of the Long Island high school football season
Brentwood’s Mizael Taveras scores a touchdown during a win over host Bay Shore on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Credit: Brentwood Union Free School District
CONNOR BATTERBERRY, SAYVILLE: He gained 202 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown in a 40-15 win over previously unbeaten Bayport-Blue Point.
GREGORY BROOKS, COPIAGUE: He had 10 tackles, including two for a loss and three sacks in a 39-14 win over Smithtown East.
ASANTE DANIELS, COPIAGUE: He had 221 yards on 15 carries and scored three TDs in a 39-14 win over Smithtown East.
JOSH FRANCHAK, BAYPORT-BLUE POINT: Explosive runner gained 91 yards on 18 carries and scored the first TD of the season against the Sayville defense in a 40-15 loss.
TERRON HARDY, WESTBURY: He had 12 carries for 260 yards and three TDs in a 28-7 win over Hicksville.
QUINN KURTZ, WARD MELVILLE: He had five pancake blocks at the center position and added 14 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for a loss, and forced a fumble in a 33-14 win over previously unbeaten Sachem North.
SHATES MILLER, HUNTINGTON: He had 345 all-purpose yards and four TDs in a 35-34 win over Newfield. He also had two interceptions.
AIDEN MIRELIS, DIVISION: He caught eight passes for 212 yards and two TDs in a 48-7 win over Glen Cove. He also forced two fumbles, blocked a punt, and blocked a field goal.
AMARE MOTLEY, CENTRAL ISLIP: He scored a school record seven TDs and rushed for 350 yards on 40 carries in a 48-45 win over Riverhead.
WILL O’RIORDAN, LYNBROOK: He completed 15 of 20 passes for 302 yards and five TDs in a 43-36 win over East Rockaway/West Hempstead. He completed a 41-yard TD to Orji Agwu and ran in the two-point conversion to tie the score at 36.
DEAN PALMERI, MINEOLA: He did it all in a 33-22 loss to Hewlett. He caught nine passes for 163 yards and three TDs. He also converted a two-point attempt and ran six times for 47 yards.
DYLAN PARCHMENT, HEWLETT: He rushed for 252 yards on 12 carries and scored five TDs in a 40-13 win over Carle Place.
AIDEN PARIS, VALLEY STREAM SOUTH: He rushed for 212 yards and three TDs, including the go-ahead score on the opening drive of the fourth quarter in a 48-45 win over VS North.
DREW SANSOBRINO, PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE JFK: He rushed for 266 yards and three TDs on 16 carries in a 27-16 win over Hempstead.
KYON SARWARI, LONGWOOD: He carried 12 times for 191 yards and a TD in a 35-7 win over Connetquot. He also had five tackles at linebacker.
MIZAEL TAVERAS, BRENTWOOD: The defensive performance of the year. He had three defensive TDs, including INT returns of 32 and 78 yards and a 50-yard fumble return for a score in a 33-6 win over Bay Shore. He also blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone for a TD and had two tackles for a loss.
ELMONT OFFENSIVE LINE: The Spartans’ unit of Kyle MacGruder, Ugom Nnabuogor, Dario Menard, Ruben Chery and Manny Omoseyin cleared the way for more than 200 yards rushing in a 15-6 win over Sewanhaka.
COACH OF THE WEEK
PHIL FORTUNATO, COPIAGUE: The Eagles beat Smithtown East 39-14 to even their record at 3-3. It’s the most wins for the program in a season since 2009.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
