Friars Rule Scrimmage

Defensive coordinator George McLaren breaks down the plan of attack.

BY JASON MOLINET

You would hardly know a dream matchup was unfolding at the Lincoln Ave. Sports Complex in Mastic. The steady rain and early-Saturday start time probably scared off many people who would have liked to see a few of the premier Long Island high school football programs scrimmage.

Not just any powerhouses. We’re talking Floyd, winner of the last three Long Island Class I titles, and seven-time CHSFL champ St. Anthony’s. Throw in perennial Division II power Bellport and you’ve got quite a bit of tradition on the same football field. An inexperienced Wyandanch squad rounded out the four-way scrimmage.

Floyd backers will tell you that stars Brock Jackolski (running back) and Joe Sidaras (quarterback) are each reshirtring at Hofstra. OK, the Friars were without the league offensive and defensive players of the year in James Brady (Georgetown) and Scott Vallone (Rutgers). Both programs were trying to turn the page.

But in a battle of first-team strength, it was clear the Friars will move into 2008 in reload mode. New quarterback Tom Schreiber, a gifted junior who is already a star midfielder in lacrosse, moved the offense. And senior running back Atiq Lucas accounted for both touchdowns against Floyd, hauling in an 8-yard scoring pass and breaking a 20-yard touchdown run.

The defense forced two turnovers. Senior cornerback Matt Metalios, a ball-hawker a year ago, showed no let up with an impressive pick on a fade pattern. Then senior linebacker Storm Harris recovered a fumble.

So much for a showdown.

A mismatch with Wyandanch awaited next. Lucas broke a 30-yard scoring run, which spelled the end of the first team offense.

The final scrimmage pitted the Bellport Clippers against the Friars. Bellport showed off some athleticism, but not enough to stop St. Anthony’s. Lucas accounted for two more scores, a 12-yard reception and 12-yard run, as the first-team offense capped a near-perfect day.

Lucas, who is getting looks from Division I-AA and I-A programs, might be the best player on Long Island. And after a 5-touchdown showing in the rain Saturday, there’s little denying he is a special player.

On defense, Harris got plenty of love from teammates. He tore his left MCL last preseason and never made it on the field. Now he is the middle linebacker in the Friars’ defense and he played with passion in the scrimmage. One of the plays of the day saw Harris drop a Bellport back for a loss, drawing chants from the Friars’ sideline.

The Friars added two fumble recoveries against Bellport.

Complete domination? Well, yeah. But it was only a scrimmage. At least that’s what St. Anthony’s detractors will seize upon.

The reality is that the Friars showed up and took on all comers. Now it gets serious. The next time the Friars face an opponent, it will be on a Saturday in Philadelphia — nationally-ranked St. Joseph’s Prep.