LI Wins Empire Challenge

The last time A.J. Otranto stepped foot on the Hofstra turf, he ran and threw over Farmingdale High School to help Floyd claim the Long Island Class I football title.

That was November.

Flash forward to Tuesday night. Otranto represented Long Island football in familiar fashion. The Stony Brook University-bound quarterback directed the Island to the opening touchdown in the game’s rain-soaked first few minutes and never looked back in a 40-8 win over New York City in the 18th United HealthcareEmpire Challenge all-star football game. 

“It’s bittersweet knowing this will be the last time I’ll ever step on this field,” said Otranto, who led Floyd to three straight Suffolk titles. “But it’s a great feeling to go out on top and win this game.”

The game, which pits Long Island top seniors against the City’s best, helps promote the Boomer Esiason Foundation and its fight against cystic fibrosis. Long Island leads the series 10-6 (the first two games were Nassau vs. Suffolk).

Otranto put Long Island on the board with a 9-yard keeper off the left side just 3:53 into the game for a quick 6-0 edge.  

Long Island took command early in the second. Oceanside wideout Anthony Pintabona hauled in a pass and pitched it to Uniondale’s William Stanback, who jetted free down the sideline for an 18-yard touchdown and 19-0 edge. 

Stanback, who is headed to Central Florida, finished with 138 yards and four touchdowns, including an electrifying 87-yard breakaway early in the fourth. His explosive second half earned him MVP honors. 

“I really wanted to come out here and leave with a bang,” said Stanback, who is off to college Wednesday morning.

Brooklyn-Thomas Jefferson’s Kendall Thomas broke loose for a 75-yard kickoff return midway through the third. Chaminade kicker Zane Wasp (four extra points) helped bring Thomas down just shy of the end zone. 

“Coach told us not to kick to [Thomas] because he has 4.3 speed,” Wasp said. “I then realized he did have 4.3 speed. He was moving back in forth. I was just hoping to trip him up." 

No matter. Staten Island-Tottenville running back Augustus Edwards, a Miami recruit, finished the drive with a 5-yard scoring run. It cut LI’s lead to 26-8. 

Long Island’s defense, under the direction of Farmingdale Coach Buddy Krumenacker, limited a talented City squad to 162 yards total offense. 

West Islip safety Nick Aponte, Riverhead corner Jeff Pittman and Sachem East corner Ryan Dippel each had first-half interceptions. Farmingdale’s Mike Gregorovic added a fourth-quarter pick. Newfield’s James Manginelli registered two sacks and a fumble recovery.

All-star games are about representing. Long Island represented.

“It’s an honor playing in this game on TV in front of this crowd,” said Gregorovic, who is headed to LIU-Post. “To represent Farmingdale, it’s an honor to be out here.” 

United Healthcare Empire Challenge

All-Star Football – at Hofstra

Teams……………....……..1…..2…..3…..4 – F

New York City…....…….0…..0…..8…..0 – 8

Long Island………....…13…..6…..7...14 – 40

LI – Otranto 9 run (kick failed)

LI – McKean 5 run (Wasp kick)

LI – Stanback 18 run (kick failed)

LI – Stanback 1 run (Wasp kick)

NYC – Edwards 5 run (Thomas run)

LI – Stanback 87 run (Wasp kick)

LI – Stanback 10 run (Wasp kick)