The William Floyd varsity football team is preparing for the 2025 season under the leadership of head coach Paul Longo. The Colonials will open their regular season with an away game against Sachem North on September 12 at 6 pm. Last year, William Floyd defeated Sachem North twice, including a playoff semifinal.
Coach Longo has led the team to 15 Suffolk County Championships and five Long Island titles over his 31-year career. He credited his players’ commitment during offseason conditioning and practices as they prepare for another competitive season.
“Our team being recognized as one of the top teams in the county by Newsday right out of the gate, puts big pressure on us,” said Coach Longo. He added that he expects his team to meet expectations and compete for a Long Island Championship.
Senior captain Jayden Johnson also expressed optimism about the upcoming season. “We put in the time this offseason and this is going to be our year,” Johnson told Newsday. “We’re the top seed for a reason. We came up a little short last year and that’s our motivation.”
Several key players are returning, including running back Ja’Quan Thomas, who rushed for nearly 2,600 yards and scored 37 touchdowns last season. Thomas received multiple honors such as co-recipient of the Joe Cipp Award for Suffolk County’s best running back, inclusion in Newsday’s All-Long Island First Team, Division I MVP, and New York Jets/Gatorade High School Offensive Player of the Year. He will play behind linemen Jeru Hall and Joe Melecio. On defense, Johnson returns along with David Gonzalez, Jake Rivera, and Aisays Wallace.
Matt Benjamin, a two-way lineman who has verbally committed to LIU, commented on the team’s preparation: “We were told after last season to get into the gym and get stronger – and there would be more opportunities,” he said. Coach Longo described Benjamin as a “difference maker.”
William Floyd has won four of the last six county championships and aims for its third consecutive title this fall after narrowly losing last year’s Long Island Championship game against Massapequa.
The Colonials’ first home game will take place on Homecoming Day against Brentwood on September 20 at noon.
