A look back at Week 2

The marquee matchup in Week 2 was no doubt Longwood-Floyd. While the Colonials won to extend their unbeaten streak to 35, we saw firsthand what we thought coming into the season: The Colonials are still good, but nowhere near the juggernaut they were the past two seasons. So there is hope for every team in Division I. 

While obviously disappointed in the loss, the Lions know it ultimately comes down to who wins in November. In 2004 Longwood lost big in the regular season to Floyd, 42-12. Longwood followed that a month later with a 27-20 win when it really mattered in the  county championship. Beating a good team twice in the same season is never an easy task, although the Colonials have done it against Wood the past two seasons. (All together it's been six straight wins for Floyd over Wood).

Floyd opened the game in a spread formation looking to throw. I was a little surprised they stuck with the passing game so much especially when the Lions defended it well. We heard a lot about Vaughn Magee coming into the season and he didn't get many touches until the second half. Once he got rolling, the Lions had a hard time bringing him down. He had seven runs of 10 yards or more. If the two teams meet again, it'll be interesting to see if the Colonials come out looking to run or if they start with the passing game again.

The Lions did what they needed at the start of the game. Against any good team on the road, you want to get ahead early. The Lions did that on Walter Miles' 68-yard run on their first offensive play. That lead held up until 3 minutes remained in the second quarter. After guarding the passing game so well, the Lions finally got burnt on a 65-yard pass play. The Lions, though, were lucky to go into halftime tied after turning the ball over twice on fumbles in Floyd territory. After the first fumble, I was surprised the Lions didn't just take a knee. With :49.3 left in the half the Lions started on their own 15.  Needing to travel 85 yards in less than a minute, I didn't like the odds of anything good happening on that drive. And it nearly cost the Lions when Floyd got it back with :21.2 left and 19 yards away. Luckily Tommy Scala gave Longwood the ball back with an interception. This time, Longwood did just take a knee with :9.2 left.

I thought Longwood needed a good, sustained drive to open the third quarter. That didn't happen as the Lions gained only 3 yards before punting. Floyd got it back at its own 44. Field position was crucial. Floyd consistently started in good field position while Longwood started deep in its own territory. It's very difficult to consistently drive the length of the field on a tough Floyd defense.

Here's a breakdown of starting position for both teams:

Floyd:

Own 35

Own 34

Own 42

LW 29

Own 18

LW 37

LW 19

Own 44

LW 14 

LW 49

50

Own 40

LW 48

Longwood:

Own 32

Own 30

Own 4

Own 14

Own 26

Own 15

Own 10

Own 27

Own 32

Own 8

Own 30

WF 36

There you have it. The numbers speak for themselves. Of course, the one drive Floyd was pinned deep to start, at its own 18, the Colonials scored a touchdown.

Now, as for the rest of our local football teams:

After a nice win to start the season, the young Mount Sinai Mustangs fell against Port Jefferson, 17-9. The offense wasn't great for the Mustangs against Southampton, but their defense did the job and they got a spark with a special teams touchdown. Against the Royals the offense struggled again, only putting up nine points. These are the kind of struggles that are to be expected from a young team. If the Mustangs had won this game I would have thought a 5-3 season was possible. Now 4-4 is likely more realistic. Babylon took control of the division with a convincing win against Amityville. More impressive is that Babylon did it without their top player, Bryan Schweitzer, who I believe is injured. Not positive on the extent. Babylon may not lose a game this season. Glenn could be the only team left that can even give them a competitive game.

Miller Place rebounded with a nice win against Westhampton. Miller Place kept the ball on the ground with Zach Buonaiuto shouldering 20 carries. Joe Mancini ran in two touchdowns and Tyler DeRosa added two of his own.

If the Panthers can get their passing game going with the running game, they can be a tough team to beat.

Shoreham-Wading River earned its first win of the season at Wyandanch. Rocky Point fell to 0-2 with a loss at Harborfields.