Newsday recently named William Floyd High School seniors Ja’Quan Thomas and Jayden Johnson among the top 100 football players across Long Island! Both Ja’Quan and Jayden are earning this honor for the first time in their high school career.  

Jayden is a defensive lineman for the Colonials who has garnered some high praise ahead of the 2025 season. In describing Jayden, Newsday said, “His combination of size, speed and athleticism make opponents game plan to stop him.” The Colonials’ head coach Paul Longo also highlighted Jayden’s play, citing him as one of the returning players who is expected to help give the team’s defense a major boost during the upcoming season. In his 2024 campaign, Jayden accumulated 30 tackles and four sacks while also having a standout performance in the semifinal round of the Section XI playoffs, a game in which he recorded a total of nine tackles in a 35-14 win over Sachem North.

Ja’Quan was a force to be reckoned with at the running back position during the 2024 season, which is why this selection comes as little surprise. In highlighting Ja’Quan, Newsday noted that his 2,594 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns last year were both the highest totals on Long Island. His standout performance took place in the first round of the Section XI playoffs, in which he rushed for 303 yards and a season-high six touchdowns in a 43-22 victory over Sachem East. Ja’Quan earned a myriad of awards and honors in recognition of this elite campaign, including being named 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. Additionally, Newsday ranked their top-10 running backs ahead of the 2025 season and placed Ja'Quan in a tie for first place! He was also highlighted in an article with a fellow running back from Farmingdale. 

Congratulations to Ja’Quan and Jayden and best of luck this season!

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! (WFSD season preview)

Newsday recently previewed William Floyd football in the week one episode of "Sarra Sounds Off!" The William Floyd section begins at about the 2:50 mark in the video below or by clicking here. More from Newsday: Suffolk Division I football: Everything you need to know (subscription required).

Video credit: Newsday