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Colonials will host Lindenhurst in 2011 Suffolk playoff opener

Coach Longo eager to see players increase collective intensity

Floyd aims to bounce back after losing regular-season finale

BY JIM FURLONG

The William Floyd coaches expect to see plenty of determination and effort during practices prior to the team's 2011 first-round game in the Suffolk County playoffs.

The Colonials are getting ready to host Lindenhurst on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.

"I want to see intensity, playing hard,' said head coach Paul Longo.”It is a clean slate; the second season. We have to come (ready) to play."

In their regular-season finale, the Colonials slumped Oct. 29 and suffered a surprising 24-7 loss at Bay Shore.

A steady rain and constant chilly temperatures created miserable conditions, which hindered Floyd's usual productive offense.

"That is the worst (weather) we have ever played in, but not the coldest," said defensive coordinator Gil DeCicco, who has coached more than 160 Floyd games.

While Bay Shore was able to run effectively on its home artificial surface, the Colonials fell behind 10-0 at halftime.

The two teams combined for 12 fumbles.

"I am surprised at how the weather affected some of our players," said Longo. "There are no excuses. Bay Shore played a better game. I just don't think we played as hard and as hungry as Bay Shore did."

The Marauders, who needed a victory to earn one of the eight Division I playoff berths, won their fourth straight game, and evened their season record at 4-4 for head coach Jim Giattino.

"They deserved to win," said DeCicco.

Longo said he lost to Bay Shore for the first time.

Several Floyd players talked about the squad's overall disappointment.

"This is definitely a wake-up call . . . but there is no one to blame but ourselves,' said senior wide receiver Kenny Grimm. “This is really surprising going into the playoffs with a loss."

Rajiv Heron, one of the defensive leaders, said the team played "horrible, terrible."

"That was the worst we have ever played.  We feel regret," said Heron. 'We feel we are mocked by Bay Shore. How easily they beat us. . . We will have a long time (in practices this week). We have to be mentally strong."

Co-captain Brandon Winters said Bay Shore was "the stronger, tougher team in the rain."

"There is a lot of shame," said Winters. 'We know we are the better team. We should have won."

Speedy senior standout Stacey Bedell, one of the premier prep running back in the state, entered the game with 26 touchdowns, but was shutdown. Bedell, with little room to move forward against an aggressive defense, finished with a career-low 15 yards on 13 carries.

On their first possession, the Colonials fumbled three times.

"That is the coldest I have ever been in my life," said starting quarterback A.J. Otranto. "I lost all feeling in my hands. In the first quarter, i couldn't feel my fingers, my whole hand."

Floyd players were shivering on the sideline.

"It was bad,' said senior center Doug Rice. “Everybody was worried about the weather. It distracted us."

Both teams were unable to gain passing yards with the slippery football.

"Everybody played a sloppy game," said Otranto. "How we played is not Floyd football. We know that. . . . We are not going to forget it."

During the cold bus ride home, some Colonials likely did some soul searching.

"It was quiet," said Grimm. "We were thinking about our mistakes and what will happen next week) against Lindenhurst). Practices will be totally different: focus and determination."

One of Floyd's seven fumbles led to Bay Shore's first touchdown.

The Marauders recovered at the Floyd six-yard line. With 6:07 remaining in the second quarter, agile senior quarterback Lucas Rock scored on a three-yard run.

After Floyd lost another fumble, Tyler White kicked a 38-yard field goal, despite the wet and windy, for a 10-0 halftime lead.

The Colonials' best first-half scoring chance came after a short Bay Shore punt to its 31-yard line. Floyd moved inside the 10-yard line, but Otranto was sacked twice and a 36-yard field goal attempt missed late in the first quarter.

On their first four possessions of the second half, the Colonials punted three times and had a fourth-down pass dropped inside the home team's 30-yard line.

Rock, which finished with 88 yards on 12 carries, sparked a 72-yard drive in the fourth quarter, and he scored on a nine-yard run.

Bay Shore padded its margin when Daquan Dunkley broke two tackles and ran 41 yards to the end zone with 5:52 remaining.

As the home team and its fans celebrated, Bay Shore athletics director Claude Kasman told people in the press box that the Marauders gained their biggest victory.

"This is No. 1. I would say so. Easy," said Kasman. "Absolutely."

Andy Slawson, the long-time high school historian for NEWSDAY, said Bay Shore scored "the biggest upset in Division I in a decade

The Colonials, the No. 1 seed in the Division I preseason rankings, lost for only the eighth time in their last 75 games. The setback came against the No. 8 seed and was Floyd's lowest scoring game in many years.

Floyd avoided a shutout when speedy sophomore Vincent Labate scored on a six-yard run with 2:42 left. Dylan Munster kicked the extra point.

Longo is checking on two injured players. Linebacker Miguel Brennin hurt his leg against Bay Shore and junior receiver Corey Banks hurt his hand.

The loss in the regular-season finale dropped Floyd to the No. 4 seed in the 2011 county playoffs. The Colonials (6-2) will host fifth-seeded Lindenhurst (5-3) in the first round. That duel is a rematch of the 2011 regular-season opener when Bedell scored five touchdowns and Floyd romped 41-7 at home.

Lindenhurst had won five of six games before a Sachem North conquered the Bulldogs 53-28 in the regular-season finale.