2023 Preseason All Long Island 1st Team Selections
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We are less than two weeks away from the start of the Long Island football season. Here is the Prep Redzone Preseason All Long Island 1st Team. This list is public school payers only. It features 28 incredible prospects from…
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Continue ReadingWe are less than two weeks away from the start of the Long Island football season. Here is the Prep Redzone Preseason All Long Island 1st Team. This list is public school payers only. It features 28 incredible prospects from the top public schools across Long Island. The 2nd team will be announced in the coming days and the catholic league list will come next week.
QB’s
Arguably the top quarterback on all of Long Island, Tripptree had a monster junior season. He thrived in big games and helped Sayville to a 12-0 record and a Long Island title. This summer he was one of the most accurate quarterbacks I saw at camps and 7v7 circuits. He collected multiple FCS offers and Tripptree has a great skill group around him and you can expect him to have another big year
Highlights
One of the most exciting dual threat quarterbacks in the state. Filardi had his breakout sophomore year and he followed it up with a huge summer. He helped his team win two major 7v7 championships and he consistently fit in perfect passes in tight windows. His scrambling ability and watching him during broken plays will be very fun to see.
Highlights
RB’s
It has been a special two years for the star running back from Sayville. The speed and instincts he possesses, has helped him thrive. He had over 2,000 yards last year and was taken out of the game usually by halftime. He breaks off a lot of big runs and he also became a physical runner in his sophomore year. All summer long he’s looked like one of the best athletes in the state. Messina will also be playing a lot of safety this year and will be a high level defensive back as well.
Farmingdale has historically had a great running attack and now it will be Sal Posillico Sal Posillico 5’8″ | 165 lbs | RB Farmingdale | 2024 State NY being the workhorse for the Dalers. He created an amazing 1-2 punch with Lorenezo Ramos last year. Posillico hit the hole hard and was a very tough runner. Now with him getting more carries and some good lineman up front, we could see the senior tailback have a big year. He was one of the most elusive running backs I saw during summer showcases.
The running back from Bayport has the opportunity to have one of the best statistical seasons this year. Aiello is one of the best pure athletes on the island. The Navy lacrosse commit has the combination of speed, toughness and a motor that doesn’t stop. And with Bayport this year, the Phantoms will most likely run the ball more due to Brady Clark graduating. So we will see Aiello get fed a ton of carries and he will pull off explosive runs behind a great offensive line.
WR’s
It was tough to have a better statistical junior season than Melore. He led Long Island in catches and receiving yards while also breaking the Long Island single season reception record with 69 grabs. Melore was my top long island public school receiver this summer. He dominated at showcases against elite DB’s from all over. He has incredible hands and his ball skills are simply some of the best you’ll see in the state. In this high flying offense, look for Melore to have a great year.
Highlights
Do you like explosive receivers? Make your way out to Deer Park because Hayden Lovinksy is an absolutely burner. He has quick feet and ridiculous acceleration. I saw his hands get noticeably better in the summer and now with his senior season approaching, I think he puts up big numbers and will pull off some exciting plays for Deer Park.
Highlights
Melkonian is an all around athlete that will have a huge year at wide receiver. With South Side’s well rounded senior class, they will be able to put Melkonian in positions to succeed. When he’s in open space it’s very dangerous. He can fly past defenders and make tacklers miss. He’ll make a lot of catches on deep routes and will overall be one of the most consistent playmakers in Nassau County
One of the smoothest route runners on Long Island. Brooks has an excellent release and that helped him have a big breakout sophomore season with over 800 yards receiving. During the summer, he looked great as he was Joseph Filardi Joseph Filardi 6’1″ | 185 lbs | QB Half Hollow Hills West | 2025 State NY ‘s number 1 target again. Brooks plays with fantastic energy on the field and brings it every snap.
Highlights
Tight End
The bruising tight end from Westhampton will make a statement during his senior year. Brown has good size at around 225 pounds as he is tough to bring down in the open field. He has soft hands and was constantly making plays at 7v7’s this summer. With the amazing supporting cast around Brown, I think he’ll make a living over the middle and be a reception machine during the fall.
Highlights
Offensive Line
I’d have to say Galindo is the top overall offensive lineman on Long Island heading into his senior year. His summer was filled with a bunch of FCS offers and amazing camp performances. He ultimately committed to Colgate in July. Galindo has great size at 6’3 and 295 pounds. His footwork and all around strength guides him to dominate his matchups. I’m expecting him to pave a ton of holes for a good Cyclone running game.
Highlights
Plainedge might’ve lost a lot of seniors but they return one of the best interior lineman in the state within Vincent Petzold Vincent Petzold 6’1″ | 295 lbs | OL Plainedge | 2024 State NY . The soon to be 3 year starting center paves holes up the middle with ease. He is one of the strongest players in the state and he moves very well in space. I would expect him to be a 1st team all state performer again this year
Similar to Galindo, DiMenna from Sachem North was dominant all summer long at camps and showcases. He has exceptional height at 6 foot 7 and he moved well at the left tackle position staying with quicker guys. Its noticeable that he’s getting stronger and the University of New Hampshire commit will have a tremendous season in a physical Suffolk County Division 1.
Despite not being the biggest lineman on this list, Schook quietly had one of the best junior campaigns on the island. In a division filled with tough and physical lineman, the Smithtown West native dominated his matchups and was one of the smoothest moving tackles in Suffolk County. His quickness and aggression helped him succeed a ton last year
Owen Holtzman Owen Holtzman 6'1" | 255 lbs | OL Garden City | 2024 NY
Owen Holtzman Owen Holtzman 6'1" | 255 lbs | OL Garden City | 2024 NY
The very quick and physical lineman from Garden City had a phenomenal junior year. He was one of the best run blockers on all of Long Island. Holtzman had the combination of quickness and power that enabled him to dominate conference 2 competition.
Defensive Line
Without a doubt the top returning defensive lineman on this list. Regis is an all around monster at 6’1 and 280 pounds. He had the best bull rush I saw at the downstate classic (full pads and contact). His speed, power and deep bag of moves makes him one of the scariest players on Long Island. He is set up to have a special season in Suffolk Division 3.
Highlights
The next star from Bellport put himself on the map after a fantastic sophomore year. Holland was dominant on the defensive line and had the athleticism to play linebacker. He was one of the hardest hitters in Suffolk Division 2 last year and he competed to the whistle on every single play. Holland’s block shedding ability was great and he will put together a huge junior season.
Highlights
The Harborfields product has some great measurables at 6 foot 4 and 240 pounds while clocking a sub 5 forty yard dash. He was one of the best pass rushers in Suffolk County and he got much better down the stretch. And this summer, Appolon put himself in the conversation with the top defensive lineman on Long Island after dominating at several showcases and camps to gain FCS interest.
The returning all state selection was easily one of the top 2025 lineman in New York and he will be in for an even bigger junior campaign. He will be the top two way lineman in Suffolk Division 4 this year and I am expecting him to live in the opposition’s backfield. He’s only gotten bigger, faster and stronger. I could see him being one of New York’s top pass rushers at the end of this year.
Highlights
Linebackers
The top overall linebacker on this list and the hard hitter should have one of the best statistical seasons on the island. Kulberg is a well rounded LB who will get a ton of tackles while also being great in pass coverage. Kulberg’s leadership skills and tough mentality will help him anchor this Hills East defense as one of the best on Long Island.
Highlights
He might not be the biggest linebacker on this list, but Ayala is a game changer for Brentwood. He caused several turnovers in the redzone last year for the Indians. He fills the gap extremely well and makes a ton of tackles. The captain for Brentwood will be “the guy” in this hard nosed defense.
Highlights
Nick Rose
Nick Rose
Lindenhurst always produces hard nosed and productive linebackers. This year’s edition is Nick Rose. He was a machine last year, collecting well over 100 tackles. He’ll be in the middle again this year and he will make a living as a true run stopper against ground and pound teams. He has a nose for the ball and is a very consistent piece to a tough Bulldogs defense.
The athletic linebacker from Garden City will be one of the most productive players on Long Island this year. He will step into the senior leader role on both sides of the football. Expect the physical linebacker to collect a lot of tackles and also have a good amount of rushing touchdowns.
Defensive Backs
The athlete from Freeport is a do it all player, but he would be my pick as the top defensive back in all of Nassau County. Gordon has the lateral quickness and explosiveness to stay with any receiver. He was also an excellent run stopper from the DB spot. He might be a finesse player on offense, but on the defensive side of the ball, he is as good of a tackler as you will see.
Highlights
The ultimate ball hawk on Long Island. He led Suffolk County in interceptions last year and he was a true playmaking safety for William Floyd. He has a ton of speed and is able to cover ground very fast to make plays. Look out for the Colonials product, to be up for the award of top defensive back and top kicker at the end of the season.
The leader of the Sayville secondary will have an enormous year for the Golden Flashes. Last year he was very good in coverage and was a great downhill tackler. This past summer I was a big fan of watching him in man coverage. He had smooth feet and now will be counted on to make plenty of plays this year.
ATH’s
Now that Brown has returned to Malverne, he has instantly become the best “ATH” in Nassau County and a front runner for the Thorp Award (given to Nassau County’s best player). He is one of the fastest players in the nation and is an all around threat at receiver, defensive back and as a returner. He will look to lead Malverne to a Long Island Championship.
Highlights
One of the best pure football players on Long Island that will explode his senior year. Bethea will have a great season carrying the football. The speedy running back will get more touches behind an experienced offensive line. And on defense, he proved all summer how difficult he is to beat in press coverage. He will make play all over the field this year.
Mr. Everything for Westhampton is one of the top 2025 prospects on Long Island. On offense he is a threat as both a running back or as a receiving option. On defense Schaffer is a hybrid player who can dominate at both linebacker and safety. And finally, he’ll be in the conversation as New York’s top kicker when its all said and done.