LI high school football games to watch for Week 4, plus picks

Sal J. Ciampi was an assistant coach under his father, Sal Ciampi, when East Islip last faced Huntington, in 1998.

Now, in his 25th year at the helm, Ciampi will lead East Islip onto the field named after his father for a massive Suffolk Division II football showdown with the visiting Blue Devils at 6 p.m. Friday night.

Two of Suffolk’s top running backs will be featured under the lights.

Jake Simmons is Suffolk’s leading rusher with 622 yards. He has seven rushing touchdowns, a TD catch and a pick-6 for East Islip (3-0).

Huntington’s Yasir Jones has rushed for 523 yards and a Suffolk-best 10 touchdowns.

But perhaps the key to Huntington’s 3-0 start has been senior quarterback Jacob Guzik’s efficiency. He’s thrown for 474 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions and has two rushing TDs, helping Huntington average 41.3 points.

“I would’ve said before the season started that they’re the most talented team in the division for sure,” Ciampi said. “Guzik and Jones are pretty dynamic. It’ll be a good test for us.”

The Blue Devils will face a stout East Islip defense — led by Dylan Bayer, Mike Tramaglini and Evan Gordon — that has already scored three touchdowns.

“[Guzik] sees the field, he goes over his reads. When teams load the box against Yasir, that’s where his maturity comes in,” Huntington coach Ron Wilson said. “He scans the field and says, ‘Let me see if I can go one-on-one with one of my receivers.’”

NASSAU I

Oceanside (2-1) at Massapequa (3-0), at Berner Middle School, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Massapequa is 26-1 since the start of the 2023 season, with its only loss at the hands of Oceanside, 42-39, in last year’s opener. Massapequa avenged that loss with a 41-26 win over the Sailors in the Nassau I semifinals. QB Shane Harmon and RB Chace Morris have helped Oceanside score at least 51 points in each of its first three games. Massapequa has outscored its opponents 149-20.

NASSAU III

South Side (2-1) at Bethpage (3-0), Friday, 6:30 p.m.

A win would give Bethpage its first 4-0 start since 2014. Chase Solliday (349 rushing yards and six touchdowns) and Louis Schneider (185 rushing yards and two scores) lead the attack for the Golden Eagles. AJ Magaraci has 435 rushing yards and five touchdowns for the Cyclones.

NASSAU IV

Plainedge (3-0) at Lynbrook

(3-0), at Marion Street School, Friday, 6 p.m.

Lynbrook, the preseason No. 3 seed, has outscored its opponents 138-47, while top-seeded Plainedge has defeated its opponents 128-14. QB Jaxson Torres and WR Taylor Nitsch have been dynamic for Plainedge. Lynbrook’s Chase Samelson has thrown for 413 yards and six scores and rushed for 256 yards and three TDs. Plainedge has won nine straight games in this series.

SUFFOLK IV

Mount Sinai (2-1) at Babylon (3-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

Babylon has scored 11 touchdowns of 30 yards or more and Aidan Winter is averaging 18.2 yards per carry. Kai Jankow has rushed for 280 yards and five TDs and completed all seven of his passes for 172 yards and four scores. Mount Sinai defeated highly regarded Miller Place last week, 28-27. The Mustangs need to limit Babylon’s explosive plays.

CHSFL

Iona Prep (4-0) at St. Anthony’s (2-3), Friday, 7 p.m.

After a 21-20 loss to Monsignor Farrell, the Friars face defending Catholic Class AAA state champion Iona Prep. The Friars lead the all-time series 34-12, but Iona Prep won both meetings last year, including a 43-22 win in the AAA league final. Xavier Bala leads St. Anthony’s with 509 rushing yards and nine TDs.

SUFFOLK I

Longwood (2-1) at Floyd (3-0), Saturday, Noon

With just six miles of the William Floyd Parkway separating these schools, Floyd has won the last 12 “Parkway Bowl” matchups and leads the all-time series, 41-19-2. Ja’Quan Thomas has 612 rushing yards and eight scores for Floyd. Kyon Sarwari is Longwood’s leading rusher with 346 yards and six TDs.

Sachem North (2-1) at Ward Melville (3-0), Saturday, 2 p.m.

Led by Hudson Philbrick (404 passing yards and seven TDs) and Joe Benedetto (282 rushing yards and four TDs), the Patriots have outscored their opponents 119-28. Sachem North has dominated its last two opponents after a 21-20 overtime loss to Floyd on opening night.

SUFFOLK II

Bellport (2-1) at North Babylon (2-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.

One of the most intense football rivalries on Long Island, North Babylon leads the all-time series, 15-12. The winner of this matchup has finished in first place in the league or division 19 times since these teams first met in 1990. Dominic Prestano leads North Babylon with 509 rushing yards and nine TDs.

Newsday’s Andy Slawson contributed to this story.

By Matt Lindsay

matt.lindsay@newsday.com@mattlinds19

Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.