This is the second in a series of preview stories for our fall varsity sports teams!

The William Floyd varsity football team, led by head coach Paul Longo, is looking to continue the program’s longstanding history of success as they prepare to begin the 2025 regular season with an away game against Sachem North on Friday, September 12 at 6 pm. Last season the Colonials defeated Sachem North twice - 48-28 in the regular season and 35-14 in a playoff semifinal.

Coach Longo, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame coach who has led the Colonials to 15 Suffolk County Championships and five Long Island titles in his 31-year career, praised his team’s hard work during offseason conditioning, practices, workouts and clinics in preparation for a season with championship aspirations.

“Our team being recognized as one of the top teams in the county by Newsday right out of the gate, puts big pressure on us,” said Coach Longo, adding that he believes that the team will live up to expectations and compete for a Long Island Championship.

Returning senior and captain Jayden Johnson expressed confidence in this year’s team continuing the winning tradition. "We put in the time this offseason and this is going to be our year,” Johnson told Newsday. “We’re the top seed for a reason. We came up a little short last year and that’s our motivation.”

Several key players will be returning for the Colonials this season, including star running back Ja’Quan Thomas, who had a sensational junior year, rushing for nearly 2,600 yards and scoring 37 touchdowns. He was recognized as the co-recipient of the Joe Cipp Award for Suffolk County’s best running back, a member of Newsday’s All-Long Island First Team, the Division I MVP and the New York Jets/Gatorade High School Offensive Player of the Year. He will be running behind a strong offensive line bolstered by returning lineman Jeru Hall and Joe Melecio. On defense, Coach Longo highlighted Jayden Johnson alongside returning defenders David Gonzalez, Jake Rivera and Aisays Wallace, who is also an effective running back for the Colonials.

Matt Benjamin, a two-way lineman, who has verbally committed to LIU, also told Newsday that the team put in extra effort in the offseason. "We were told after last season to get into the gym and get stronger - and there would be more opportunities," he said. Coach Longo described Benjamin as a "difference maker."

The Colonials have won 15 Suffolk County Championships, including in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024 along with five Long Island Championships in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012. Having won four of the last six county championships, the Colonials now have their sights set on their third-consecutive and 16^th overall county title. They are also determined to get another chance at the Long Island Championship after last year’s title game saw them come up just short in a 42-40 thriller against Massapequa.

The Colonials, who will battle Sachem North on the road in the opener, will host their first home game of the season on Homecoming Day, Saturday, September 20 at 12 pm against Brentwood. Best of luck to all of the student-athletes and coaches on this upcoming season!