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BY JIM FURLONG

 During Thanksgiving week, the William Floyd Colonials will enjoy the fond memory of another major accomplishment and also look forward to competing for the biggest achievement.

For the eighth time in the last 10 seasons, Floyd advanced to the Long Island Championship.

The surging Colonials will challenge the East Meadow Jets, the Nassau County Class 1 champion, on Nov. 27. The two rivals collide with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

Coach Paul Longo, his players and staff and many Floyd supporters will return to Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium where, on Nov. 20, the Colonials conquered Sachem North 35-20 to win the 2011 Suffolk County Division I title.

"I'm ecstatic," said defensive standout Vincent Giordani. "We played hard on defense and we had a lot of offense. We played as a team. LaFamila said we are a family."

Record-setting running back Stacey Bedell, once again performing like an All-American, scored three touchdowns and rushed for 258 yards before an estimated 4,000 spectators.

Speedy wide receiver Versatile Vantrell Nash caught two second-half touchdown passes from quarterback A.J. Otranto as the Colonials extended their winning streak to nine games in the Suffolk playoffs.

"This feels so good," said senior lineman Matt Allen. "We are very happy, but we still have unfinished business from last year and year before."

The Colonials, including more than 20 seniors, are aiming to gain overall Long Island supremacy after losing the 2009 and 2010 LICs against Freeport.

Now, for the the third-straight year, Floyd beat Sachem North in the Suffolk final.

"This is, definitely, my favorite game of the season because this is the biggest game so far," said Otranto. "This one meant the most. . . . Not many teams win anything three years in a row. It is hard to repeat."

 The Flaming Arrows entered the top seed, while fourth-seeded Floyd (9-2) prospered after eliminating fifth-seeded Lindenhurst and second-seeded Longwood earlier in November.

"To think, (the Flaming Arrows) were supposed to win this year, but we came back and beat them," said senior wide receiver Keith Scanlon. "It makes it 10 times better. We were the underdog and we came through."

In the final minutes, hundreds of Floyd fans chanted "LIC.

On the visitors' sideline, the Colonials and the coaches celebrated, flashing big grins for a MSG Varsity cameraman...

"(The Flaming Arrows) came in really cocky," said lineman Pat Walsh. "They were thinking they are the No. 1 team in the county. It didn't happen. We were fired up and ready to go."

Bedell, showing his exceptional speed, proved a reliable workhorse as he sparkled on a career-high 36 carries.

In the process, he set two school records -- most career touchdowns (68) and most single-season touchdowns (35).

As Floyd led Sachem North 14-13 at halftime, Bedell scored on runs of 39 and 15 yards. He added the clinching TD, a nine-yard run with 4:43 remaining in the fourth quarter; He carried 11 times during a 12-play 74-yard drive, and three times gained the necessary yards on third down.

"That was the biggest drive of the game," said Bedell, who several times took a direct snap in a Wildcats formation.

On several runs, Bedell simply accelerated and outran the pursuit, leaving Sachem North defenders looking at his heels.

"I knew I wanted to make big plays in this game," said Bedell. "Just like the last two years."

In the 2010 and 2011 county finals, Bedell burned Sachem North with a combined seven touchdowns and 500 yards rushing. In the 2009 county final, Bedell scored twice as Floyd won 27-6.

On the first possession, in pleasant weather, Bedell's TD highlighted a swift-two play drive with runs of 27 and 39 yards

"He showed he is Long Island's best running back," said Walsh.

Also, Bedell gained the upper hand in an individual subplot: his duel against Sachem North senior standout Dalton Crossan, who scored three TDs as an elusive running quarterback. Crossan finished with 218 yards on 35 carries.

"They are special players and they put on a show," said Longo.

"On a team with (Bedell), you expect to come out with a win," said Nash.

Sachem North, which finished with a 9-2 record (both losses against Floyd), did not complete a pass in the game and lost two first-half fumbles (recovered by Giordani and Alan Jones).

Longo counted on Bedell to carry a big load in the first half, when the Colonials did not attempt a pass.

Just before the start of the second half, Allen and Giordani inspired their teammates.

"It's all about heart, baby! Let's go," shouted Allen.

Giordani, hoping up and down, yelled: "We are not going home without a W!"

Longo changed his play calls to start the third quarter and stunned Sachem North.

On the first snap, Otranto launched a long accurate pass down the middle and Nash beat one-on-one coverage to complete an eye-catching 50-yard TD.

"It created separation in the score," said Nash.

Chris Hurtado converted his third of five extra-point kicks to give the Colonials a 21-13 margin.

"Vantrell made a great catch and the line blocked," said Otranto.

With 3:36 left in the third quarter, after a short Sachem North punt, Nash once again evaded one-on-one coverage and grabbed a 26-yard TD pass from Otranto.

For the Floyd offense, center Dylan Brown helped propel consistent blocking along with Brandon Winters, Kevin McCourt, Denis Feise, Evan McCarthy and fullback Marc Coles.

Defensive coordinator Gil DeCicco, praised Rajiv Heron, Allen Giordani, Miguel Brennin, Davante Smith and Otranto for solid performances. Otranto, as an alert, aggressive linebacker, tackled the elusive Crossan four times for losses.

While the Colonials celebrated, the Sachem North folks face a winter of discontent. Coach Dave Falco's program has posted an overall 29-4 record the last three seasons. All four losses came against Floyd, including three straight setbacks in the county final.

In each county final, Bedell proved a difference maker.

"Stacey has been doing big things in the LIC and the county championships for the last three years," said Longo.

In his last five playoff games, Bedell totals 17 touchdowns. In the future, he will certainly be inducted into the WFSD Athletic Hall of Fame.

"Every game he is influential," said Scanlon. "He keeps the team motivated every time he runs the ball."

For the 2011 season, Bedell has rushed for a school-record 2,1,20 yards in 11 games.

"Stecey will go down as the fastest football player or wear the Colonials' uniform," said WFSD athletic director Mark Mensch, who has watched Floyd games for more than 30 years. "When he gets through the first level, he has another gear that no one else ever had. He also has great balance and cutting ability."

Bedell's performance in the 2011 Suffolk title game should give him an advantage over Crossan in the selection of the 2011 Hansen Award winner.

Crossan also consistently sparkled this season as he rushed for 35 touchdowns, including five in the two losses against the Colonials.

"Crossan is the most dynamic player we've played against all season," said DeCicco. "He carried them on his back."

NOTES -- East Meadow (10-1) earned a 2011 LIC berth with a 34-33 victory over top-seeded Freeport, the two-time reigning Nassau and LIC champion. Wingback Robbie Healy scored three TDs for East Meadow, giving him 36 RDs this season, a Nassau County individual record. . . . The Colonials have won a combined 105 victories the last 11 seasons. In the three other Suffolk County championship games, Newfield beat East Islip 14-13 in Division II. Elwood John Glenn grabbed the Division IIII title, beating Amityville 42-30. Undefeated Sayville (11-0) improved the only undefeated record for Suffolk public school teams with a 28-6 conquest of Westhampton Beach in Division IV. . . . The Colonials have won nine or more games for nine consecutive seasons. Bedell mentioned the players' off-season dedication as a key reason for three straight Suffolk titles. The Floyd-East Meadow final is a rematch of the 2006 LIC when the Colonials won 42-20. The Jets last won the Nassau crown in 2006. Bedell also owns the Floyd record for career rushing with 4,647 yards.