High school football playoff blog: Highlights, updates and scores from the county semifinals
West Islip's AJ Aliani tackles East Islip quarterback Owen Madden during a Suffolk Division III football game in Islip Terrace on Oct. 17. Credit: Derrick Dingle
Updates, notable scores, big moments and more from the second round of the high school football playoffs in Nassau, Suffolk and the CHSFL.
Scores: Nassau | Suffolk | CHSFL
Standings: Nassau | Suffolk | CHSFL
Leaderboards: Nassau | Suffolk | CHSFL
Top storylines to watch in the county semis
Northport quarterback Gavin O'Brien, left, and North Babylon running back Jack Miller. Credit: Peter Frutkoff; Errol Anderson
There is a contrast in offensive styles between the football teams at Northport and North Babylon.
One will run the ball all day to punish and wear down the opponent. The other will find the right balance between the run and the pass.
The more balanced offense from Northport won the first time around. The Tigers upended North Babylon, 35-19, early this season in Suffolk Division II. Tigers quarterback Gavin O’Brien, making only his second varsity start, torched the Bulldogs secondary for 243 yards and four touchdown passes. He completed all six of his passes in the game.
North Babylon (6-3) will travel to play Northport (8-1) in a Suffolk Division II semifinal Saturday at noon.
It’s simple to find the Bulldogs' key to a win: play better in the secondary the second time around.
On the other side, Northport linebacker Charlie O’Brien and company will have their hands full with a North Babylon running game that finds itself in high gear. They are led by Long Island’s leading rusher Jack Miller, who has carried 224 times for 1,798 yards and 24 touchdowns. When it’s not Miller carrying the rock, it’s Chandler Como and TJ Shaw.
O’Brien has been outstanding, passing for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“He’s been terrific,” Northport coach Pat Campbell said. “It’s not easy to come back to play after a few years and lead the offense and make the right reads.”
For more storylines to watch this weekend, check out our county semifinal preview and picks.
This weekend's LI high school football playoff schedule
Friday, Nov. 13
Nassau (at Hofstra)
Conference II
(1) Garden City vs. (6) MacArthur, 4 p.m.
(2) Carey vs. (5) Mepham, 7:30 p.m.
Suffolk
Division I
(3) Longwood at (2) Sachem North, 6 p.m.
(4) Floyd at (1) Ward Melville, 7 p.m.
Division III
(4) Islip at (1) Westhampton Beach, 6 p.m.
(3) West Islip at (2) East Islip, 6 p.m.
Division IV
(6) Glenn at (1) Sayville, 6 p.m.
(5) Babylon at (2) Bayport-Blue Point, 6 p.m.
CHSFL
Class AAA
(3) St. Anthony’s at (2) Monsignor Farrell, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Nassau (at Hofstra)
Conference IV
(2) Lynbrook vs. (3) Seaford, 10:30 a.m.
(1) Floral Park vs. (5) Malverne, 2 p.m.
Conference I
(1) Massapequa vs. (4) Port Washington, 5:30 p.m.
Suffolk
Division II
(5) Commack at (1) Half Hollow Hills East, 12 p.m.
(3) North Babylon at (2) Northport, 12 p.m.
CHSFL
Class AA-I
(4) Fordham Prep at (1) Kellenberg, 1 p.m.
Class AA-II
(4) St. Dominic at (1) Mt. St. Michael, 1 p.m.
Non-League
Huron Heights Secondary at Long Island Lutheran, TBA
Sunday, Nov. 15
Nassau (at Hofstra)
Conference I
(2) Farmingdale vs. (3) Oceanside, 10:30 a.m.
Conference III
(1) Plainedge vs. (4) Bethpage, 2 p.m.
(2) South Side vs. (3) Wantagh, 5:30 p.m.
