Suffolk football universe breaks ground with Ward Melville press debut
By Steven Zaitz
The Suffolk chapter of the National Football Foundation held a countywide press conference at Ward Melville High School on Aug. 23. Coaches and players from more than 50 schools attended and introduced themselves to the media.
Len Genova, president of the James C. Metzger chapter of the NFF, hosted the event in partnership with the Suffolk County Coaches Association to help promote Section XI high school football.
There were two sessions, with players and coaches from Suffolk Conferences I and III participating in the morning and Conferences II and IV in the afternoon.
First-year Smithtown East coach Dave Bennardo spoke to TBR News Media exclusively before the formal press conference began.
“We want our kids to be sharp and crisp in everything they do,” said Bennardo, who has served as principal of Harborfields High School, superintendent of the South Huntington School District as well as a Huntington Town councilman before coming to Smithtown East. “My passion is teaching and coaching, and I want to make these kids believe in themselves. We have a climb, but I think we’re all pulling in the right direction.”
Bennardo opened his practice schedule one minute after midnight on Aug. 19 at the Sports Arena in St. James in the hopes of instilling a hardworking and winning culture at Smithtown East. That happened to be the night of the unexpected torrential storm.
“Everybody was okay,” said Bennardo. “We had already arrived at the place and were doing drills. I drove a few of the kids home because the conditions were such that I didn’t want to make the parents come back out, but all in all, it was a fun experience and helped us bond.”
Smithtown East is looking to improve upon its 2023 record of 3-5. Across town, Smithtown West was 4-4 and in 2024 moved up to Conference II. In the first round of 2023, they played in the second-highest scoring game in Suffolk County history, losing 70-68.
Nick DeVito will be taking over for the graduated Brayden Stahl at quarterback for the Bulls West.
“Brayden’s are big shoes to fill, but we are excited to get it going,” DeVito said.
Other area schools that participated in the press conference for Conference II include Northport, Newfield, Centereach and Huntington. North Babylon is also in Conference II, and led by rushing sensation Jawara Keahey, the Bulldogs were Suffolk County champions last year. Keahey ran for 2,609 yards and 37 touchdowns last year.
In a very fraternal and friendly setting, each coach took the podium and gave a briefing on the state of his team. They wished all the other teams in the room good luck and good health for the 2024 football season. Len Genova then put a cap on the event, addressing roughly 20 coaches and 125 players in the Ward Melville High School cafeteria.
“Cherish these moments with your teammates, and cherish the feeling that you get when you walk out on that football field together on Friday night or Saturday afternoon,” Genova told the crowd. “I played through high school and college, and I would give anything to experience that feeling one more time. Time goes by very quickly. Our memories of those games take on more importance each passing year.”
With that, Genova wished each team a successful and healthy season and helped organize a group photo of all the Conference II coaches.
In all likelihood, the next time these guys see each other, the setting will not be as friendly.
