Falco, Caputo to coach at NYS Football Classic

Sachem will be well represented in the first ever New York State High School Football Classic held on June 6 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.

In a game between upstate and downstate players, Sachem North head coach Dave Falco and defensive coordinator Dave Caputo will be on the downstate coaching staff. North running back Davon Lawrence will play in the game.

Competing on the downstate team are players from Long Island, New York City and Rockland, Westchester, Orange and Ulster Counties.

The Classic game and weekend will stand as the pinnacle for high school football in New York State, and a rallying point for the New York High School Football Coaches Association, according to a statement by the NYSHSFCA. The New York State High School Football Classic was established following the dissolution of the New York – New Jersey All Star Football Classic (formerly The Governors Bowl).

"The New York State Football Classic is a great opportunity for the entire state of New York to promote football in a way that has never been done before," Falco said. "This is an all-star game with upstate and downstate battle lines. Coach Caputo and I are looking forward to the opportunity and can't wait to get started. The game itself excites us but we will also have the opportunity to work with Davon Lawrence again before he goes off to Stony Brook in the fall."

The downstate is coached by Roosevelt head coach Joe Vito, who led his team to a Class IV Long Island title in 2006. Vito named Oceanside coach Rick Voight as his top assistant, and named Rob Blount, who recently took over as Oceanside's head coach, as offensive coordinator.

Lawrence offensive line coach Joe Martillotti will coach the same position for the classic, as well as Lawrence assistant Joe Supple and Valley Stream assistant John Kostwoicz.

Joining Falco and Caputo on the defensive side of the ball is Bay Shore head coach Jim Giattino, who played at Bellport under Sachem alum Joe Cipp.

Players will be outfitted with Under Armour during the contest and younger athletes can take part in a skills combine earlier in the week.