Leading off today: Oceanside freshman quarterback
Charlie McKee tied a state record with eight touchdown passes and a Section 8 playoff record with 30 completions in a 62-33 victory over Farmingdale in a Nassau Conference I football semifinal Saturday.
McKee finished 30-for-40 for 539 yards. The yardage total is fifth in state history and the third-best performance by a Long Island QB.
"I just played my game," McKee said after advancing the Sailors into the Nassau I title game against Freeport. "I threw the ball to the guys, and the guys did great today. The line, I couldn't even say how good they were."
Jake Lazzaro finished with nine catches for 309 yards and five touchdowns, the latter two setting Section 8 records. The yardage figure was third in state history.
McKee was called up to the varsity late in the 2017 regular season to learn from record-setting senior Tommy
Heuer.
"This system is for him," Oceanside coach Rob Blount said. "He's a drop-back passer and he does a great job distributing the ball. ... He's 14 years old, but he played like a four-year veteran today."
More L.I. football: West Islip quarterback Mike LoDonna rushed for 177 yards and three TDs on 13 carries in a 54-7 win over North Babylon in the Suffolk Division II semifinals. LoDonna also threw for two touchdowns.
West Islip is heading to its third straight Section 11 final, where the Lions will play Lindenhurst.
"We're big into reloading in our program and the players believe in the system," coach Steve Mileti said. "None of this happens by accident. We're a family and we play for each other."
Stepinac gaining steam: Senior running back Malik Grant piled up 392 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries as Archbishop Stepinac defeated Iona Prep 37-26 in the CHSFL Class AAA semifinals.
Stepinac, which endured a four-game losing streak earlier in the season, improved to 6-4 and will face Cardinal Hayes (4-4) for the championship next weekend. The Crusaders have won three of the last four titles.
St. Francis wins MMAA: St. Francis avenged a regular-season loss, defeating Canisius 20-16 for the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association's large-school championship. The Red Raiders (5-6) will play the Stepinac-Hayes winner for the state CHSAA championship.
Sophomore quarterback Jake Ritts finished 13-for-25 for 207 yards and two passing touchdowns, including a 6-yard pass to Antonio Corsi with 2:06 left to all but seal St. Francis' victory.
