Long Island Public School X-Factor Senior Prospects

<p style="text-align: left;">No matter the position, X-Factor players are the guys who directly impact and make plays when you need them the most.  They can change the game with a big run or pick-six that swings the momentum instantly.  The terms X-Factor or 'It' Factor describe these prospects.  Now let’s take a look at some of their most significant X-Factor Seniors from this past season.</p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="229768" first="Derek" last="Burrell"] - East Islip</strong> The speed burner QB from East Islip seemed virtually unstoppable all year. Whenever East Islip needed a big play, Burrell always seemed to deliver. However, as East Islip started to gain momentum later in the season, teams began to focus on star running back [player_tooltip player_id="229765" first="Leonardo" last="Lopez"], and that scheme change only hurt them as it allowed Burrell to punish defenses on the ground or through the air. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="228047" first="Dakim" last="Griffin"] - Half Hollows Hills East</strong> Griffin is a special talent, and he let everyone know it by rushing over 2300 yards on the season! Even when teams tried to scheme against him, he would pull the magic out and put on a show.  [player_tooltip player_id="228047" first="Dakim" last="Griffin"] has elite vision and is sneaky-powerful.  If there is just a hint of a hole, Griffin will find it and exploit it.  Once he gets going is almost impossible to catch him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="240995" first="Ryan" last="Heidrich"] - Massapequa</strong> The 6’4 slinger led Massapequa to a great year as they won the Division 1 Long Island Championship.  Heidrich made all the throws as you would expect from a top-notch QB, but he froze defenses with his running ability and escapability.  Seeing a 6’4 QB roll left and throw with his right arm like nothing is a sight to see. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="227800" first="Mack" last="Murtha"] - Sayville</strong> Murtha made clutch plays for Sayville all season long. He was one of the state leaders of interceptions, but his big-play potential at WR made him an all-around weapon. From stretched-out interceptions to one-handed touchdowns, [player_tooltip player_id="227800" first="Mack" last="Murtha"] did it all. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="228050" first="Joe" last="Ladevaio"] - Plainedge</strong> Ladevaio lined up everywhere for the Championship Plainedge team, the jack of all trades. Making highlight catches was nothing to him as he could always get open.  Plainedge also lined him up in the backfield when they needed a big play in the Championship game against East Islip. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="232629" first="Nicholas" last="Bottoni"] - Walt Whitman</strong> Bottoni was clutch all season for Walt Whitman, leading them to a historic season.  When the pressure was on [player_tooltip player_id="232629" first="Nicholas" last="Bottoni"] was at his best. Defenses were off-balance trying to stay with Bottoni and his endless receiving core.  If his first option wasn’t open, he had no problem working his progressions and throwing touchdowns.