With the varsity football season wrapped up, the annual awards were the last thing left to square away. The Suffolk County Football Coaches Association dinner took place on December 8th at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Hauppauge. Awards and honors were handed out to some of the best players in the county for being the best at what they do.
Varsity football teams in Suffolk County are part of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), and they compete in divisions I, II, III, & IV. The Messenger reports on Eastern Suffolk County schools. Let’s take a look at who took home the hardware this season.
The Golden Flashes of Sayville were golden indeed, taking home a handful of awards this season. Sayville finished the season undefeated, boasting a 12-0-0 record where they took home the Division III title, Suffolk County title, and the Long Island title. Sayville also took home its seventh Rutgers Award. The award is given annually to the best team in Suffolk County.
Patrick Coan, a senior quarterback for Sayville, took home the Boomer Award, given annually to Suffolk County’s Top QB. This season, Coan threw for 133 completions, ran for 1,082 rushing yards, and recorded 13 touchdowns. Additionally, the Lehigh commit passed for 1,937 yards, threw 25 touchdowns, and had three interceptions. The numbers speak for themselves, thus earning him the Boomer Award.
The William Floyd Colonials racked up the awards as well, with three players and a coach taking home some hardware. It’s safe to say they had all positions covered. The Colonials competed in DIV I and finished the regular season 10-1-0.
Ja’Quan Thomas, a senior running back for the Colonials, took home the Carl A. Hansen Award, & the Joe Cipp Jr. Award. Thomas was a force to be reckoned with, and nobody was going to get in his way. The Hansen Award is given annually to the most outstanding player in Suffolk County. Thomas was just that, outstanding. The RB rushed for 2,082 yards, which is the best in Suffolk County, and recorded 31 touchdowns. Thomas was awarded the Cipp Jr. Award, which is given annually to the best running back in Suffolk County. Thomas also took home DIV I MVP honors, DIV Player of the Year Honors, and First Team All-Long Island & All-County Honors.
Jeru Hall, a senior right tackle for the Colonials, took home the Bob Zellner Award this season. The Zellner Award is given annually to the best offensive lineman in Suffolk County. Hall’s position as a right tackle made him an integral part of William Floyd’s core offensive line that helped average 31 points per game. Hall also earned First Team All-Long Island and All-County honors.
Jake Rivera, a junior defensive end for the Colonials, took home the Bryan Collins Award. The Collins Award is given annually to the best defensive lineman in Suffolk County. Rivera recorded 71 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. Rivera helped the defense keep their opponents to under 12 points per game.
Last but not least for the Colonials is head coach Paul Longo. The 31-year head coach took home his 19th Coach of the Year Award. At the helm, Longo has coached William Floyd to 15 Suffolk County titles and five Long Island championships. He was also inducted into the William Floyd Athletic Hall of Fame ‘19 and the Suffolk County Hall of Fame ‘22.
Jayden Johnson and Joe Melecio also took home All-County honors for the Colonials.
Perhaps the most significant award this season was the Thomas Cutinella Memorial Leadership Award. The Award was named after Thomas Cutinella, a football player for Shoreham Wading River who passed away in October 2014 from a football-related incident. The award is given annually to the best two-way player who demonstrates character, leadership, and good academics. Cutinella was known and respected for his leadership qualities despite being an underclassman. Jimmy Gaston Jr., a senior for the Central Islip Musketeers, took home the award.
Senior Michael Cascione is a household name in Smithtown. The West Bull took home the Tom Cassese Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding defensive back in Suffolk County. Cascione was a finalist for three other awards as well. The multi-sport athlete finished his final season repping the Bulls with 1,650 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, and received 117 yards and one touchdown.
Jake Rearick, Nick DeVito, and Nick Zins were awarded All-County honors along with Michael Cascione for Smithtown West. Will Noto was named the County Final MVP.
Smithtown East saw Antonio Marrone and Charlie Weydig earn All-County Honors. First-year head coach Greg Lauri was awarded the Suffolk Conference Two Coach of the Year Award.
At Sachem North, the Arrows saw three of their own take home All-County honors. Jake Spera, Caldey Pierre, and Henry Sarro were the recipients. In addition, Alyssa Tappin was awarded the first-ever Suffolk County Football Coaches Student Media Award. Tappin is a station manager at WSHR, predominantly covering Sachem Football as a sideline reporter.
The Miller Place Panthers saw four members take home All-County honors: Shane Kiernan, AJ Rudolph, Camryn Hardy, and Bradyn Ellis. Camryn Hardy also took home the 12th Man of the Year Award, which is given annually to the player who overcame adversity.
The Commack Cougars had five Division II All-Conference members and one All-County member this season. AJ Arizonis, Mason Ruocco, Mason Justus, Eric Florentino, and Frank Vraba earned All-Conference Honors. Lincoln Riggs earned All-County honors.
Suffolk County is home to 50 varsity-sanctioned football teams. The Messenger is fortunate to be able to cover the Eastern Suffolk County teams each and every season. Congratulations to all the young men who were honored at the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association Awards dinner for the 2025 season. Your hard work on and off the field has not gone unnoticed and has finally been rewarded. Cheers to another great season of high school football, and here’s to running it back again next fall.
