Freeport tops Floyd for L.I. championship

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For the first time since 2010 and fifth time in program history, Freeport has captured a Long Island football championship.

With their explosive offense producing touchdowns on each of their first four possessions, including three scoring drives in under a minute apiece, the Red Devils rolled past William Floyd, 28-14, in the L.I. Class I title game on Saturday afternoon before an estimated crowd of 3,250 at Hofstra.

“It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had,” said senior receiver Jaelin Hood, who caught 44- and 49-yard touchdown passes from senior Rashad Tucker in the first half to help Freeport (11-1) build a 28-7 lead at intermission. “I’m speechless,” Hood added. “It’s just a blessing to be a part of this team.”


Tucker capped a stellar three-year run as the Red Devils’ starting quarterback with 218 yards from scrimmage (94 rushing) and three touchdowns. Senior Jahred Wray rushed for 99 yards, while junior Rob Fitzsimmons (seven tackles, one sack) and Hood (6.5, 1) led another impressive defensive effort.

“I’ve coached some great athletes, but none of them has made me look this good,” Freeport head coach Russ Cellan said of Tucker, who zigzagged his way to a 17-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and even contributed on special teams with two punts totaling 78 yards. “He’s just extraordinary,” he added.

All but 10 of Tucker’s 124 yards passing went to Hood, who opened the scoring just 2:20 into the game after taking a short toss in the flat and gliding along the Red Devils’ sideline, picking up a huge block from senior Nicholas Olivier along the way, for a 44-yard touchdown. Senior kicker Will Presbrey’s first of four successful extra points made it 7-0.

The lead was 13-0 after junior Aaje Grayson scampered for a 3-yard touchdown run to cap — by Freeport’s standards — a long seven-play, 51-yard drive that took 3:39. Wray moved the ball into the red zone with a burst for 26 yards.

Floyd (10-2) answered with one of its patented lengthy drives to get within 13-7 with five seconds remaining in the first quarter. Sophomore Nick Silva, who led the Colonials with 99 yards on the ground, had a 48-yard run to set up junior James Taitt’s 3-yard touchdown.

But, two plays later the Red Devils were back in front by two scores when Tucker went deep and hit Hood in stride for a picture-perfect 49-yard touchdown. “That pass was on the money,” Hood said. “We’ve been doing it all season. Rashad’s the best quarterback on Long Island and always puts the ball where it needs to be.”