Week 6 Preview: Sachem North at William Floyd

In the modern era, the Sachem North-William Floyd rivalry is as good as it gets on Long Island.

Floyd, who beat Sachem in the last two Suffolk County title games, wasn't even a blip on the island's radar for most of its existence, but when current coach Paul Longo - a Holbrook resident - took over and made the Colonials into a modern day dynasty things became interesting.

Sachem, facing adversity in its program having split in 2004 just when Floyd was heating up, has regained its poise and is looking to recapture its familiar glory on the gridiron.

The last two regular seasons the Flaming Arrows beat Floyd, but it's the post-season where the trouble has been. This week's game will be no different in terms of intensity. Both teams are atop Division I and Floyd's only loss is a 14-12 defeat to Longwood earlier in the year.

Match-up: Sachem North (5-0) at William Floyd (4-1)

Time/Venue: Saturday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. on the road

In game battles: Call it the battle for the Hansen Award: Dalton Crossan vs. Stacey Bedell. Of course, William Floyd will also use its quarterback A.J. Otranto as well as they can in hopes of throwing off Sachem's defense, but it won't be easy. Packed with sophomores and underclassmen, Sachem has played tough on defense and usually comes to play in pressure situations.

Next up: Sachem hosts Brentwood, Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. for a festive evening where the 1986 Rutgers Trophy team will be honored prior to the game.

Stay tuned to Sachem Patch for complete coverage of the game.