Thoughts on Week 6...

Two weeks to go in the high school football season and things are taking shape. With eight teams making the postseason this year, it's created a lot more meaning to the end of the regular season for many teams which otherwise would be running out the string.

The Longwood Lions improved to 5-1 in Division I and are in prime position to earn the No. 2 seed for the second straight year. The Lions played a terrific first half against a good Lindenhurst team Friday night with their only mishaps coming on the opening kickoff which the Bulldogs returned for an touchdown. Later in the half Eddie Wess threw a late pick after completing a 40-plus yard pass to Nick Esposito, halting a drive that nearly resulted in points the other way for Lindenhurst. The Lions made too many mistakes in the second half, but had built enough of a lead to withstand it. It was a similar game to Week 1 against Connetquot where the Lions built an early lead, couldn't add on, then had to hang on for dear life. Lindenhurst never really threatened to win the game Friday — their last touchdown came on the last play of the game — but it was still closer than you would have liked. 

I've liked the passing defense the Lions have shown this year. You'll remember William Floyd came out throwing against Longwood in Week 2 and had little success. Lindenhurst didn't have much success either until late in the game when the Bulldogs relied on short passes, which the Lions were willing to give up as they played a protective Cover-3.

The Lions finish the regular season against Brentwood at home Saturday for homecoming and then go to Sachem East. I don't see the Lions having too much trouble in either game and should finish 7-1, which means they don't have to face Floyd until the county championship. Of course, even if the Lions slip to a three seed, they still wouldn't face Floyd until the county championship.

What's important to keep an eye on is where Sachem North lands. The Flaming Arrows are 2-4 and finish against Pat-Med and Lindenhurst. Sachem could very well end up in the seven seed and come to Longwood in the first round. That's a very scary first round matchup and one the Lions would be very happy to avoid. Longwood coach Chris Meyer would much rather see a team like Northport in the first round. Even Pat-Med or Brentwood would be a more welcome sight.

The Miller Place Panthers also improved to 5-1 in Division III after a high-powered win against Deer Park Saturday, 47-28. It sets up a huge showdown Saturday at 5-1 Sayville, the team regarded as the best in the division. The Panthers will likely need a win to earn enough power points to receive one of the top four seeds. I think if the Panthers finish 6-2, it won't be enough for a seed higher than five or six, which is hard to believe. Hills West will finish 5-3 and will have more power points than Miller Place at 6-2, unless the Panthers can beat Sayville.

Harborfields has two easy games left so expect the Tornadoes to earn the top seed with an 8-0 record. If Sayville wins its next two, the Golden Flashes will be seeded second. Kings Park, Hills West, Miller Place, Islip and Hauppauge will all be fighting for power points to finish as high as possible. I like Rocky Point to grab the eighth seed, although the Eagles are only 2-4.

Playoffs nearly here; who's in, who's out?

Incredibly, the playoffs are just about upon us already in high school sports. While football still has a ways to go — we enter Week 6 this weekend — the remaining sports will conclude this week with playoffs to start shortly after.

So here's a breakdown of each sport and what local teams are in or out.

GIRLS SOCCER

IN: Shoreham-Wading River, Rocky Point

The Eagles (6-3) clinched a playoff berth, their first since 2005, with a win Wednesday against Miller Place. The Eagles travel to unbeaten Harborfields Friday with a chance to boost their potential playoff seeding. The Eagles can do Shoreham a big favor with a win. If the Eagles can defeat Harborfields, it would set up a potential winner-take-all for League VI Tuesday at Shoreham. The Wildcats (8-1) need to beat Miller Place Friday to give themselves a chance at winning the league title, their third straight, Tuesday. Harborfields and Shoreham both play one game after Tuesday, but face weaker teams they should handle. If Harborfields beats Rocky Point, the best Shoreham can do is be co-champs.

BUBBLE: Mount Sinai, Miller Place

The Mustangs lost Wednesday, 3-2, against John Glenn to fall to 5-4 in League VII with three games remaining. They'll need one more win to clinch a playoff spot, their first since 2006. The Mustangs face a tough test Friday at Bayport-Blue Point, but should clinch against Southampton Saturday. The Mustangs beat Southampton, 8-0, in their last meeting Oct. 10. They end Oct. 23 against Mattituck.

Miller Place (4-5-1) dug itself a hole with a 0-0 tie last Saturday against East Hampton. The Panthers needed a win and must now beat Shoreham and Westhampton to clinch a playoff spot. The Panthers loss to Rocky Point Wednesday might have been their last chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Panthers could tie Shoreham and get in with a win at Westhampton. Don't expect the Wildcats, though, to bring anything but their 'A' game to Miller Place Friday.

OUT: Longwood (1-8-1)

BOYS SOCCER

IN: Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Shoreham-Wading River

The Panthers and Mustangs will face each other Saturday night in a game that will go a long way in determining the League VI champion. Miller Place sits at 7-1-3 and Mount Sinai is 8-2-1. The teams are tied in points so a win Saturday is crucial. Both teams still have to face Shoreham-Wading River, which is no easy task.  Miller Place faces the Wildcats Monday while the Mustangs meet the Wildcats Wednesday. Mount Sinai also faces East Hampton while Miller Place ends the season against Westhampton.

The Wildcats looked like a contender to win the League VI title, but stumbled by losing four of five games and lost its coach, Louis Manoussos, replaced by Sal Mignano. But the Wildcats are 2-1 under Mignano and clinched a playoff berth Thursday night with a 6-0 thumping of Amityville. The Wildcats (7-5) won't win the league title, but can still make noise in the playoffs and will be seeded lower than they really should be.

BUBBLE: Longwood

Longwood sits at 5-5-1 in League I and needs two wins in its last three games to clinch a playoff spot. With Brentwood looming in the season finale, that means the Lions need to win their next two games against Ward Melville and Sachem East. It won't be easy. The Lions lost to Melville, 3-1, their first meeting and tied Sachem East, 1-1.

OUT: Rocky Point (1-8-2 League V)

FIELD HOCKEY

IN: Shoreham-Wading River, Miller Place, Rocky Point

All three teams are in the Class B playoffs. The only question is where the teams will be seeded. Miller Place faces Rocky Point Friday for a pivotal game that will determine which team gets a higher seed. Shoreham will likely finish first in Division III once again. 

GIRLS TENNIS

IN: Longwood, Mt. Sinai

Correction to earlier post: The top four teams get in from the upper divisions, so Longwood (5-5) and Mt. Sinai are both in (4-6), but will likely face outbracket matches to get in to the 16-team tournament.

OUT: Rocky Point, Miller Place, Shoreham-Wading River

Miller Place (8-4 League VI) and Rocky Point (7-5 League VIII) needed to win their leagues to earn a spot in the 16-team tournament. Shoreham was winless entering Thursday in League VII.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

IN: Mount Sinai

The Mustangs benefitted the other day when Babylon lost to fall to 8-3. The Mustangs are 9-2, but still have to face John Glenn once more, which means they'll have at least three losses as well. So it shapes up for the Mustangs and Babylon to face off in the last game of the season to determine which team earns the home-court advantage in the first round of the Class B playoffs. The teams will then meet in the playoffs to determine who faces Glenn in the county championship. Babylon beat Mount Sinai in the first meeting this season. Mount Sinai beat Babylon in the playoffs last year. John Glenn will face Bayport. The Knights likely won't be tested until at least the Long Island championship, possibly later.

BUBBLE: Rocky Point, Miller Place

One team will be eliminated Friday when the teams face each other at Miller Place. The winning team will then likely be eliminated shortly after. The Panthers are 3-6 in League VI and need to win their last three matches. The Eagles are 3-5 with four matches left and need to win three of four.

OUT: Longwood (2-7 League I), Shoreham-Wading River (2-7 League VI)