Colonials "Make a statement" defeat Ward Melville 49-18
Speedy Stacey Bedell excels again, runs for four touchdowns

BY JIM FURLONG

The William Floyd Colonials wanted to "redeem" themselves, and they also wanted to make "a statement" about their future results in their Suffolk County Division I games.

With Stacey Bedell excelling again, the Colonials dominated the Ward Melville Patriots 49-18 on Sept. 24. In its first 2011 road game, Floyd built a 28-6 halftime advantage and disappointed the large Ward Melville homecoming crowd.

Bedell, the two-way senior standout,  sparkled with four touchdowns runs -- 71, 4, 5 and 67 yards.

Junior quarterback A.J. Otranto looked sharp as he completed six of his eight passes for 128 yards, including TD throws to Vantrell Nash and Keith Scanlon. Vincent Labate, a sophomore running back, stepped up. He contributed his first varsity TD and he gained 94 yards on 11 carries.

"I think there was a sense to show how we can play, what we are capable of," said head coach Paul Longo.

The Colonials (2-1) enjoyed themselves and helped eliminate their glum feeling following a 14-12 home loss against Longwood on Sept. 17.

"We were pumped up," said senior defensive tackle Allan Jones. "We were angry after the loss to Longwood. We had to make a statement. We want to prove to the county that we can win."

Junior defensive end Alex Borsari said his teammates worked harder in practice to prepare for ninth-seeded Ward Melville (1-2).

"We really looked focused in practice this week and we wanted to redeem ourselves," said Borsari. "We are feeling confident we can win out the rest of the year."

Senior defensive lineman Matt Allen said the Colonials worked on "correcting mistakes" which hurt against Longwood (3-0).

"We are making an effort to get better," said Allen. 'We are not playing 100 percent.  . . . There was not a good feeling in the locker room (after the setback Sept. 17).  This (victory over Ward Melville) feels like a step forward to the LIC."

On the Patriots' home field in East Setucket, the Colonials surged, scoring on their first five possessions.

"We were excited the game,' said junior Chris Hurtado, who did an impressive job with his long kickoffs.

Bedell, who has now scored 11 touchdowns in the first three games, produced an early highlight. He darted to the left sideline and dashed 68 yards to the end zone.

"He is the fastest football player on Long Island and no one will catch him,' said Longo. "I expect him to be a great player. I expected him to have this kind of season. He is capable of going all the way anytime he touches the ball."

Bedell finished with 177 yards on 16 carries. Just like the 41-7 opening-game victory against Lindenhurst, he did not lay in the fourth quarter..

Ending a 68-yard drive, Bedell moved four yards to the end zone with 10:16 remaining in the second quarter.

The Colonials scored twice more before halftime.

The versatile Nash grabbed a 11-yard TD pass from Otranto, and Bedell ran for a two-point conversion.

Soon after a Ward Melville punt, Otranto had plenty of time to throw and he drilled a 34-yard TD pass to Scanlon, who totaled three catches for 100 yards. Dylan Munster kicked one of his five extra points for a 28-0 margin with 2:13 to go in the second quarter.

The host Patriots, helped by a pass interference penalty which wiped out a long interception return by Nash, scored on a two-yard run just before halftime.

Floyd recovered a Ward Melville onside kick at the 50-yard line to start the third quarter.  After Otranto scrambled on a long run inside the 10, Bedell powered five yards for his third TD.

The Colonials, who had no turnovers, punted on their next possession after a long snap went loose for a big loss.

Bedell sizzled again with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter. He galloped 67 yards to the end zone, which delighted the vocal Floyd fans.

After that Longo used many reserves, and Labate proved impressive.

"He did a nice job filling in for Stacey," said Longo.

With 6:39 on the scoreboard clock, the 5-6, 145-pound Labate zipped 10 yards for his first varsity TD.

"When I saw the end zone, I ran my hardest," Labate said. "There was a lot of excitement. I hope there is more to come."

For the Floyd defenders, Rajiv Heron, Nash, Allen and linebackers Miguel Brennin and Marc Coles made a repeated impact. Brennin and Coles each produced a team-high 11 tackles.

Nash, who is alert and quick, made a first-quarter interception at cornerback.

"Brennin is one of the best linebackers in the county and Coles is one tough 10th grader," said Longo. "I thought Nash played well in all three aspects of the game: offense, defense and special teams."

The Colonials now prepare for a road trip to fifth-seeded Brentwood, a 2 p.m. kickoff next Saturday. Brentwood (1-2) lost last weekend 13-0 against Lindenhurst (2-1).

NOTES -- William Floyd leads all 14 Suffolk Division I varsity teams in scoring offense (averaging 34 points per game). Longwood leads in scoring defense (8 points per game) after dominating winless Patchogue-Medford 33-6. Sachem North, Longwood and surprising Sachem East all share first place in Division I with 3-0 records. The Colonials have won 77 of their last 83 regular-season games. in three games, Bedell has scored 70 points and rushed for a combined 512 yards on 36 carries. College scouts also know Bedell excels as a quick-reacting and alert free safety.