William Floyd Defeats Northport 42-7
Bedell rushes for 5 TD's including two of 90+ yards

BY JIM FURLONG

Stacey Bedell achieved what few football players at any level -- high school, college or pro -- have ever accomplished.

The senior standout scored on two touchdown runs of more than 90 yards to highlight William Floyd's 42-7 victory Oct. 6 at Northport.  Setting another school single-game record, Bedell totaled five rushing TDs, and the 2011 All-American candidate gained a career-high 335 yards on 15 carries.

The Colonials, winning their third-consecutive road game, boosted their season record to 4-1. Coach Paul Longo and his assistants now prepare their players for a Oct. 15 showdown, when Floyd will host undefeated Sachem North (5-0).

On the Northport field, Bedell proved dazzling in the second quarter.  After the Floyd defenders stopped Northport on a fourth-and-one play near the goal line. Bedell took a handoff at his four-yard line and sprinted 96 yards to the end zone.  Soon after, after Northport punted to the Floyd five-yard line, Bedell sizzled. He zipped around the right end and accelerated. A Northport defender appeared to grab his ankle at the Tigers' 30-yard line, but Bedell eluded the attempted tackle, regained his balance and continued his eye-catching TD run.'

"I have never seen that before," said long-time Floyd head coach Paul Longo. "That's two consecutive runs from the line of scrimmage for 96 and 95 yards. It is really amazing to see how good Stacey can be. We have the ball in the shadow  of our goal line (twice) and he takes one handoff and goes all the way.

"He made it a one-play drive. He is elusive and the fastest kid on Long Island.

Floyd assistant coach Ernie Villatore, who has watched prep football action for more than four decades, said he had never seen one player produce two 90-plus TD runs in a single game.

"I don't want to say he carries our team because we have many talented players, but Stacey is a huge asset," said junior lineman Pat Walsh. "On some days, he plays like he is the best running back."

For the second time this season, Bedell totaled five touchdowns.

"He is a (NCAA) Division I kid playing against a bunch of high school kids, and it looked that way today," said Kip Lukralle, the Northport head coach for 26 years. "He is as good as any back we have seen come through here.

"(Bedell) has great speed. When he runs in the open field, he looks unbeatable. (The Floyd blockers) did a great job giving him space to ru and we didn't do a good job taking him off his path."

In the first half, when the Colonials built a 27-7 lead, Bedell ran on all but three offensive plays. Junior quarterback A.J. Otranto and sophomore fullback Marc Coles each ran once, and Otranto completed his only pass, a 31-yard gain to versatile Keith Scanlon.  After fourth-seeded Northport started the first quarter with a 63-yard TD drive, the Colonials bounced back for a 7-7 tie. Floyd marched 81 yards and Bedell -- dodging, weaving, spinning and twisting -- gained 75 of the yards. The payoff came on a 42-yard TD dash.

"He is not someone who will plow you over, but he is incredibly fast," said Northport senior defensive end Brian Wallace. "He has twice the speed of a normal kid, but we missed tackles."

Northport senior linebacker Joe Gueits said his defense would have done better.

"(Bedell) is a fast kid, but a lot of it was we didn't do our job," said Gueits.

With three minutes left in the first half, Bedell once again prospered with strong blocking and  he ran three yards for a six-pointer, but the extra point attempt was blocked.

"My game plan was to run the ball and keep their offense off the field as much as possible," said Longo.

Sean Gilroy, a junior lefthander, proved an accurate passer and appeared the best quarterback Floyd has faced so far this season. The Tigers, who lost to Floyd 40-12 during during the 2010 season, gained their lone touchdown at 9:18 of the first quarter, Senior running back Ryan Kokell powered on a four-yard TD run.  Bedell's 18th TD this season came at 10:17 of the third quarter -- a 29-yard burst off the right side. Scanlon was alert on the extra point try. He reacted quickly and ran for two points, increasing Floyd's margin to 35-7.  Once again, with a large lead, Longo rested Bedell (who also started at free safety and made seven tackles) and used many reserves. Vincent Labate and D.J. Slater got opportunities to run the ball.  Floyd's defense produced the last TD. Senior linebacker Miguel Brennin, who is consistently impressive, intercepted a pass and ran 70 yards for his first varsity touchdown.

"I was lined up on the third (Northport) receiver and I read the play perfectly," said Brennin. "I was in the right place at the right time. It was exhilarating. It got my adrenalin pumping."

When he crossed the goal line, Brennin held the football high.

"That play was the dagger," said Brennin.

 Also for the Floyd defenders, cornerback Vantrell Nash made an interception in the last seconds of the second quarter,. Alex Walter had a sack.  Senior defensive lineman Vincent Giordani contributed his second-straight strong performance -- six tackles and two sacks.

"He's playing tremendous," said Longo. "He's fast off the ball and puts good pressure on the quarterback. His motor never stops going."

In their four victories, the Colonials' defenders have limited the opponents to a combined 39 points. The offense is averaging 45 points in those four games

"Now, as a team, we have come together," said the 165-pound Giordani. "I am confident, if we work our hardest, play our hardest, we will have success."

NOTES -- Bedell has rushed for 650 yards on the last three games on 44 carries (11 TDs). By dominating Northport, the Colonials have now won a combined 100 games the last 11 years, compared to 13 losses. The regular-season record improved to 79-6. The home game against second-seeded Sachem North will likely give the winner a home game in the first round of the 2011 Suffolk County playoffs on Nov. 4-5. Sachem North owns a 21-game regular-season winning streak, including two victories over Floyd. The Flaming Arrows, the last undefeated team among the 14 Division I schools, won 32-19 at Connetquot on Oct. 6. William Floyd will celebrate its 2011 Homecoming on Oct. 22, hosting sixth-seeded Connetquot (1-4).