What do you get when you mix the highest-scoring offense in Nassau County with the highest-scoring offense in Suffolk County?
A defensive battle, of course.
That’s exactly how Friday’s Class I Long Island Championship played out between Massapequa and Ward Melville — and in the end, it was the Chiefs defense that helped secure Massapequa’s record third straight title.
“That’s our mentality — defense, defense, defense,” Cole Villalta told Greater Long Island. “Every day, every practice, every game, and that’s why we are on top.”
[Keep scrolling for game photos.]
The first half was one both offensive coordinators will want to forget. The teams combined for six turnovers and zero points. Ward Melville managed just 42 total yards, while Massapequa finished with 77.
Things finally shifted on the opening possession of the third quarter. The Chiefs, who average 44 points per game, marched 62 yards in 11 plays, capped by senior Joe Brooks’ 4-yard touchdown run for a 7–0 lead.
Moments later, on the first play of Ward Melville’s ensuing drive, Brooks came up big again with an interception at the 35-yard line.
“We talk about momentum shifters all the time in the locker room,” Brooks said. “We like to get in the driver’s seat, and that’s what that interception did.”
He was right. Five plays later, Andrew Padalino punched in a 17-yard score to push the lead to what looked like an insurmountable 14–0.
But the Patriots — who entered averaging 40 points per game — weren’t done. Senior Joey Benedetto scored twice, cutting the deficit to 14–12 with under five minutes left. A potential game-tying two-point attempt was stopped by junior Ryan Chabus and the Chiefs defensive line.
Ward Melville had one more chance, driving in the final 90 seconds. But on 4th down from the 31-yard line, Dylan Milio, Cole Villalta, and Michael Ippolito combined to bat down a desperation throw to seal the 14–12 victory.
“I was ready to pick that ball off, but I knew we just needed to knock it down,” Villalta said. “We weren’t letting them score.”
“There’s always that brief second where your heart drops, but I trust my guys so much,” Brooks added.
With the win, Massapequa becomes the first Conference I team ever to three-peat.
“There’s no feeling like it,” Brooks said with a huge smile. “This was the ultimate goal — to make history — and we did it.”
Game photos
Photos by James Ferguson
