In The News

Thanks to all the players, coaches and sponsors for making the 2001 Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge possible.

New York Gains Revenge With Last-Minute Interception

2001 Outback Empire Challenge Photos

By Kevin Adler/Boomer Esiason Foundation

What is it about the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge High School All-Star Football game that makes every game go down to the wire? How is it that year after year, the very best high school players from New York City and Long Island play dead even � and that a series of spectacular plays decide the game?

For the third consecutive year, the victor of the Empire Challenge emerged with less than a minute to go, as New York City avenged last year�s loss with a 17-10 triumph. A diving interception by defensive back Victor Parsley (Holy Cross) with 57 seconds remaining stopped a drive by Long Island that had reached the New York 32. New York ran out the clock as coach Jerry Horowitz and his squad celebrated a hard-fought victory on a hot, humid day.

�This game means a lot to the players and all the people who support it,� said Boomer Esiason, who started the game six years ago as a way to showcase the fine football played in the New York metropolitan area. �The kids really play hard, and it shows in how competitive the games are year after year.�

This year�s game, the sixth annual, drew 11,352 fans to Hofstra University Stadium � the largest crowd to date. Corporate sponsors Outback Steakhouse, JP Morgan Chase, Canon, Newsday, NFL Flag and Iomega helped make the fundraising this year also the most successful in the game�s history, said Esiason. He praised all the sponsors for their support of the twin missions of the Empire Challenge: raising funds for youth football and supporting the Boomer Esiason Foundation�s fight against cystic fibrosis. NFL Flag and the New York Jets, helped create a carnival atmosphere at the event by sponsoring a pre-game football clinic and a other football-related kids� activities.

All the people who braved the 90-plus degrees temperature and high humidity not only enjoyed the pre-game activities (including helicopter flyovers and parachutists), but they also saw a hard-hitting game that featured more than a dozen Division I scholarship players. The high number of top players who participated in the game indicates the way the Empire Challenge is becoming an important event on all high school football players� calendars, said Esiason. �I�m amazed at how big and how fast these players are,� he said.

While size is important, Long Island Coach Len Mattera predicted that the team that maintained its composure would win the game. �Composure is the biggest thing I talked to my guys about all week during practice,� he said.

Mattera�s team maintained its composure despite a strong start by the New York City team in this year�s game. At the half, New York had totaled 131 yards to Long Island�s 71, but Long Island led 3-0 on a field goal by David Bodner (Lawrence). Bodner made the 38-yarder with 31 seconds left in the half, and then missed another attempt from 41 yards on the last play of the half after New York City�s Arben Selmani (Susan Wagner) was intercepted by Joel Sussman (Great Neck North).

The second half began with much crisper offense on both sides and some of the fireworks expected out of teams with such tremendous individual talent. Long Island started the second half at its 30 after a good kickoff return by Eugene Nottingham (Amityville). Nottingham led all rushers in the game with 43 yards on 12 carries.

In two plays after the kickoff, quarterback Michael Prahalis had New York in the end zone for the game�s first touchdown. First, he lofted a perfect pass to Marcele Street (William Floyd) down the left sideline for 28 yards, even though New York City�s Truesun Thomas (Springfield Gardens) had almost perfect coverage. On the next play, Prahalis hit Tobias Brown (Riverhead) over the middle at about the 10, and Brown used his 230-plus pounds to push past defensive backs for a 33-yard touchdown play. It was 10-0 in favor of Long Island.

�In the second quarter, we decided to tighten things up in the middle by going to two running backs,� said Mattera. �We weren�t getting outside, but when we tightened it up, there was room in the middle for running. That opened up some passing for us, too.�

Nevertheless, Mattera said that he knew a 10-0 lead was not sufficient against a team with the offensive firepower and speed of New York City.

Mattera was correct to be concerned, but it was New York City�s special teams that did the damage. On the kickoff after the touchdown, Stephen Gregory (Curtis) took the ball about five yards deep in the end zone and didn�t even hesitate as he tried to make a big play. A huge seam opened up on the right side, and by the 10-yard line, it was obvious that Gregory only had to beat kicker Bodner. Marcus Wilson (Poly Prep) made sure that Bodner wouldn�t have a play, as he �pancaked� him into the ground and celebrated as Gregory raced by down the sideline. In seconds, a game that was in Long Island�s control had turned to 10-7.

The touchdown return was a redemption for Gregory, who in the first half had a high pass glance off his hands and into the arms of Taurean Frazier (Hempstead) for an interception that killed a promising drive for New York. Gregory was voted the game�s co-MVP with quarterback Christopher Legree (Poly Prep), who led New York�s offense to its only touchdown.

After the touchdown return, Long Island maintained the composure that Mattera emphasized. It came right back with a nine-play drive, but that drive stalled on the New York 13 when Nottingham was stuffed on fourth and two by Jamel Williams (John F. Kennedy) and Leon Williams (Carnasie). But New York City couldn�t move the ball, and Long Island got it back on its own 46, and it again started running the ball. However, Brian Nutter (Sachem North), after breaking five tackles, was hit hard from the back and fumbled near midfield. In a scramble for the ball, it was kicked nearly 30 yards back towards the Long Island goal line, and then fumbled further downfield. Eventually, Stewart Prince (Port Richmond) fell on the ball for New York City at the Long Island 5.

New York City didn�t make the most of its golden opportunity, but it managed to tie the score at 10 when Clint Riggs (Commack) kicked a 35 yard field goal with 3:51 to go in the third quarter. New York City�s field goal drive was really an exhibition of the fabulous play all evening from Long Island defensive lineman James Wyche (Roosevelt). He harrassed quarterback Selmani on every play in the series, and was instrumental in moving New York City backwards. Wyche was named Player of the Game for his seven tackles and numerous quarterback pressures. �He was the best player on the field today,� said one admiring assistant coach on the New York City team.

After the New York City field goal, Long Island got the ball back, but on third down, Prahalis underthrew a wide-open Bryan Tornee (Commack), and New York�s Prince Stewart (Port Richmond) recovered on the play and intercepted the ball. �Bryan was open all game,� said Prahalis of his high school teammate. Tornee caught three passes for 37 yards in the game, but was open on other plays when his quarterbacks just didn�t have the time to get the ball to him.

�Defense is usually ahead in these games,� said New York City coach Jerry Horowitz, who preached patience to his team as they probed for the Long Island team�s weaknesses. Under the circumstances of facing an unfamiliar opponent, Horowitz said that his strategy would be �to see what is working on offense and then try to continue doing it.� And after the interception by Stewart, it appeared that New York City did find out what was working.

Starting from its 40, New York reeled off four consecutive plays that yielded first downs. Wilson went for 15 yards on a draw play. Then Earl Charles (Carnarsie) at fullback went 11 yards. With Long Island playing the run, Legree threw a quick out to David Bailey (Fordham Prep), who was being given a huge cushion in man-to-man defense. Bailey went for 16 yards. And he picked up 11 yards on a nearly identical next play. As the third quarter ended, New York City was at the Long Island 10.

On first and goal to begin the fourth quarter, Wilson picked up five yards on a sweep. Then after an incompletion on a fade pattern, Legree went back to pass again on third down. He rolled left, but linebacker Bobby Alpi (North Babylon) had blown through the offensive line and was grabbing at him. Legree spun back towards the middle of the field, and spying a small seam, he ran up the middle and plowed into the end zone. With the kick, New York City was up 17-10, and nearly a full quarter remained.

Although it didn�t seem likely at the time -- given the offensive output in the third quarter and early fourth quarter -- Legree�s touchdown was the game�s final score. For the rest of the fourth period, Long Island pushed downfield, but it was stymied by a clutch plays by New York City�s defense and unfortunate bounces of the ball.

In fact, New York City had the real opportunity to put the game away in the fourth period, but it was Long Island�s defense that kept it in the game. On the kickoff after New York City�s lead touchdown, New York got a break when a high and short kickoff (all New York City�s kickoffs were high and short) bounced straight up in the air on the Long Island 24. Tyron Thorne (John F. Kennedy), racing downfield to make a tackle, instead grabbed the ball on one bounce � one of the strangest onsides kick recoveries imaginable. But on fourth down from the Long Island 15, Long Island�s Riggs sniffed out one of New York City�s quick out patterns and drilled wide receiver Jerome Arrington (August Martin) two yards short of a first down.

With the ball back, long Island turned to quarterback Kyle Smith (West Babylon) to tie up the score. After a slow first half, Smith seemed to find his way in his second-half appearance, and he led Long Island on two impressive drives. He relied on handoffs to Nottingham, passes to Tornee, and several scrambling plays of his own to evade the rush by Jame Williams (John F. Kennedy), Daryl Melvin (New Utrecht), and others.

But it wasn�t enough. The first drive stalled near midfield with just under nine minutes to go in the game. The second drive, which began with just 4:04 left, was ended when Smith overthrew Tornee, and Parsley made the diving interception. On the play, Tornee was wide open in the middle of the field on a crossing pattern, and it appeared as if he might have been able to score a touchdown if he�d been able to get to the ball.

And if Tornee had indeed caught the touchdown pass and tied the game, then the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge 2001 might have to be ranked as the most thrilling finish to date. Even so, the 2001 contest extended the streak to three of games that have been decided on the last or next-to-last possession.

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Above: Before Game, Victor Parsely (far left), of Poly Prep High School and defensive back for the NYC All-Star Team, and Eddie Gordan (far right), of Freeport High School and linebacker for the Long Island All-Star Team, receive the
"Esprit de Corps Award for Dedicated Teamwork" from ex-NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason at the 6th Annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge All-Star football game June 30 at Hofstra University Stadium. Colonel Tom Tyrrell (left center), Commanding Officer, 1st Marine Corps District, Ron Duckstein, joint venture partner, N.Y. metro area, and Major Chuck Kilbride, United States Marine Corps Retired, were the presentors. Photo by: Official Marine Corps Photo

1st Marine Corps District Present Eddie Gordon of Freeport High School and Victor Parsley of Holy Cross High School "Esprit de Corps" Awards

Marines from the 1^st Marine Corps District in Garden City, New York, honored two local high school football �stars� June 30 at the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge � New York City verses Long Island All-Star Football Game held at Hofstra University Stadium before a crowd of more than 11,000 fans.

Eddie Gordan, Freeport High School and line backer for the Long Island All-Star team and Victor Parsley, Holy Cross High School and defensive back for the New York City All-Star team, were each presented the �Esprit de Corps Award for Dedicated Teamwork� by Boomer Esiason, former NFL quarterback for Cincinnati, the Cardinals and the New York Jets and Colonel Tom Tyrrell, commanding officer, 1^st Marine Corps District. The award recognized one player from each team, selected by Boomer and the coaches, who exemplified dedication to team, spirit and motivation.

The Marines also presented Boomer Esiason, a native of East Islip, N.Y., with the �Leatherneck Leadership Award� for the work he does with the Nation�s youth through the efforts of the Boomer Esiason Foundation and the Gunnar H. Esiason Scholarship program.

In addition, Ron Duckstein, Outback Steakhouse joint venture partner for the N.Y. Metro-area, was awarded the �Semper Fidelis Award for Dedicated Service to the Community� for his dedicated support of events such as the Empire Challenge.

The Empire Challenge �gives outstanding high school football players in the New York City and Long Island area a chance to showcase their talents on the same gridiron while raising Money and awareness to fight Cystic Fibrosis,� according to a spokesperson for the foundation.

The Marine Corps supported the event to help raise awareness to fight Cystic Fibrosis as well as to honor area high school talent. More than 100 young men and women from the five boroughs and Long Island who are currently in the Marine Corps� Delayed Entry Program were on-hand to watch the NYC All-Star team win 17-10 over the LI All-Star team and to witness the presentation of the awards based on leadership and the portrayal of the Marine Corps� Core Values of honor, courage and commitment.

As Usual, It's a Fantastic Finish

City stops LI on final drive, evens series

by Gregg Sarra
Staff Writer

The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge added yet another highlight reel to an already impressive collection of memorable all-star football games. For the second straight summer, this event came down to the final possession.

And for the second consecutive year, the defense braved a furious offensive march. The only difference was the sideline of the winner. This time, it was the New York City defense that halted a last-minute drive.

West Babylon quarterback Kyle Smith shook off the effects of a hard sack on the first play of the final series and directed the Long Island offense 53 yards before free safety Victor Parsley of Holy Cross intercepted a deflected pass at New York City's 10-yard line with 57 seconds left to preserve a 17-10 victory before 11,373 fans at Hofstra Stadium.

"The whole defense was shifting to the right and [Bryan] Tornee had an alley," said Smith, who will report to Purdue for a two-week minicamp on July 8. "And the ball was just off his fingertips. It was a good drive but we just didn't finish it off."

Parsley intercepted the pass and clinched the City's win to help even the series at two games apiece. He was mobbed by his teammates as he cradled the ball on the sideline.

"The man was open and the ball came in high," Parsley said. "If he caught it, there was no one between him and the end zone. My job was to make sure no one got behind me. When the ball was tipped in my direction, I was like, 'This one's mine."'

Tornee, who set a state record for touchdown receptions with 17 last season at Commack, made five receptions for 61 yards. "I was on the short slant and it was me and the end zone," Tornee said. "Ah . . . just a little high."

City quarterback Christopher Legree (Poly Prep) broke a tie at 10 when he scored on a 5-yard run with 14:50 left in the game. The winning score was set up when Edwin Alvarado (DeWitt Clinton) recovered a fumble at Long Island's 5-yard line.

"That ball was fumbled around for about 30 yards before anyone could get the handle," Alvarado said of the bizarre turnover that was fumbled at the Long Island 35.

"It was a crazy play," said Amityville coach Len Mattera, who guided the Long Island team. "And they ended up with it."

This all-star fest of the top senior football players from the City and Long Island to benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation's battle against cystic fibrosis, just continues to get better. Last season, the final pass landed just inches from the outstretched hands of a City receiver as Long Island held on for a 23-18 victory.

"We're here to enjoy the best senior football players before they go off to college," said Esiason, the game's founder. "And it's so exciting for everyone. I absolutely love it."

Long Island led 3-0 at halftime, courtesy of a 38-yard field goal by David Bodner (Lawrence). That lead grew to 10-0 when Commack quarterback Mike Prahalis threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Tobias Brown (Riverhead) with 14:10 left in the third quarter.

The City answered with a 105-yard kickoff return. Stephen Gregory (Curtis) took the kickoff and went down the right sideline. He picked up four textbook blocks, the final one at midfield, where Marcus Wilson flat-backed Bodner.

The City added a 35-yard field goal from Artem Rozhkov (JFK) to tie the score and set up the wild finish.

"This was a great honor to play in this game with all the guys I played against all season," Wilson said. "I'll never forget it."

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE EMPIRE CHALLENGE
At Hofstra Stadium
New York City......................... 0 0 10 7 - 17
Long Island .......................... 0 3 7 0 - 10
LI - David Bodner 38 FG
LI - Tobias Brown 33 pass from Mike Prahalis (Bodner kick)
NY - Stephen Gregory 105 kickoff return (Rozhkov kick)
NY - Artem Rozhkov 35 FG
NY - Christopher Legree 5 run (Rozhkov kick)

OUTBACK EMPIRE CHALLENGE NOTEBOOK
Wilson's Pancake Was Sweet
Gregg Sarra

Marcus Wilson is headed for Notre Dame to play halfback. The fleet-footed Poly Prep star gained 1,756 yards and scored 25 touchdowns as Prep went undefeated last fall. And he gained 31 yards on eight carries, including a 15-yard run that set up Christopher Legree's winning 5-yard touchdown scramble with 14:50 remaining, in Saturday night's Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge before 11,373 fans at Hofstra Stadium.

But Wilson won't be remembered for running the ball in New York City's 17-10 victory over Long Island in the Empire Challenge. His biggest contribution was a pulverizing downfield block on kicker David Bodner that cleared the way for a 105-yard kickoff return by Stephen Gregory of Curtis. "He was the last guy and he had to go down," Wilson said. "I had to take him out." The big hit sent the crowd into a frenzy and was just the spark the City needed to erase a 10-0 deficit and score 17 unanswered points. "Winners find ways to make plays, whether it's a run or a catch or a block," Gregory said.

"That block was ridiculous." Lancey Gets His Due He was overshadowed by record-setting teammates through a remarkable season at Commack. But that never stopped Russell Lancey from making the big play for the Cougars on their way to the Suffolk County Division I football title. So it came as no surprise when the 5-11, 180-pound defensive back made some of the more memorable plays Saturday night.

Lancey, who has signed to play for Rhode Island this fall, played flawlessly on the corner, making six tackles and recovering a fumbled punt at the City 38 with 12:13 left in the third quarter. He helped shut down the vaunted City passing game and contain the speed it threw out there against the right side of the defense.

With the game on the line, it was Lancey who gave Long Island one more shot at a comeback victory. On second-and-10, Lancey closed in on a short flat pass to Jerome Arrington and buried the August Martin wideout. The impact jarred the helmet from Lancey's head and sent Arrington to his back for a short gain. One play later, the City was forced to punt.

"I never cared about the awards and the exposure as long as we won the games," Lancey said. "It was an honor to play in this game and represent Long Island. I loved every moment of this experience - from the first day of practice until the final gun. And if some people walked away and thought that I contributed and played well, that's just beautiful." Sack Master James Wyche led Roosevelt to an unbeaten record and a Long Island Class IV title last season. The 6-5, 230-pound defensive end will play at Syracuse this fall, and he gave the Orangemen a glimpse of what to expect.

Wyche finished with three sacks, three tackles for a loss and nine total tackles as he ran over the City offensive line. His first sack for a loss of five yards short-circuited a 13-play City march and kept the game scoreless.

Then he dumped Christopher Legree for an 11-yard loss on the final play of the first quarter and forced the City to punt.

OUTBACK EMPIRE CHALLENGE NOTEBOOK
Lancey Gets His Due
Gregg Sarra

He was overshadowed by record-setting teammates through a remarkable season at Commack. But that never stopped Russell Lancey from making the big play for the Cougars on their way to the Suffolk Division I football title. So it came as no surprise when the 5-11, 180-pound defensive back made some of the more memorable plays in Saturday night's Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge before 11,373 fans at Hofstra Stadium.

Lancey, who has signed to play for Rhode Island this fall, played flawlessly on the corner, making six tackles and recovering a fumbled punt at the City 38 with 12:13 left in the third quarter in New York City's 17-10 victory over Long Island. He helped shut down the vaunted City passing game and contain the speed it threw out there against the right side of the defense.

Then he dumped Christopher Legree for an 11-yard loss on the final play of the first quarter and forced the City to punt.

"He's unbelievable the way he moves from sideline to sideline," said former Syracuse linebacker Morlon Greenwood, who hails from Freeport and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in this year's NFL draft. "He's going to be a great player at Syracuse. They're going to love him." Wilson's Pancake Was Sweet Marcus Wilson is headed for Notre Dame to play halfback. The fleet-footed Poly Prep star gained 1,756 yards and scored 25 touchdowns as Prep went undefeated last fall. And Saturday night, he gained 31 yards on eight carries, including a 15-yard run that set up Christopher Legree's winning 5-yard touchdown scramble with 14:50 remaining in the game.

But Wilson won't be remembered for running the ball in the Empire Challenge. His biggest contribution was a pulverizing downfield block on kicker David Bodner that cleared the way for a 105-yard kickoff return by Stephen Gregory of Curtis. "He was the last guy and he had to go down," Wilson said. "I had to take him out." The big hit sent the crowd into a frenzy and was just the spark the City needed to erase a 10-0 deficit and score 17 unanswered points. "Winners find ways to make plays, whether it's a run or a catch or a block," Gregory said.

"That block was ridiculous."

In this game, the best
blend in with the rest
Arthur Staple/Newsday

WHEN THINGS were going well for the New York City team's offense last night in the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, Gabe Ortega was invisible.
The St. Francis Prep graduate started at center for the City's team in the charity all-star game against Long Island's best. Ortega played alongside several of his CHSAA brethren, including former Prep teammates Alex Ponze and Kevin Lewis, and Holy Cross grad Chris Musarrofiti. August Martin alum Bob-Andy Villette and a few other PSAL standouts, Herb Rouse from Canarsie and Dusean Crowell of JFK, were on the O-line as well.
All-star games are, in most sports, showcases for the best of the best; last night, Ortega was at his best when no one noticed.
"It's still a lot of fun," Ortega said. "This is what you do. Nothing works unless everyone performs." There were more than the usual number of big-name players wearing the red-and-white of the City team last night in the sixth installment of the Empire Challenge. Leon Williams, a Miami-bound linebacker, led the defense.
Curtis alum Steve Gregory (Syracuse) and Poly Prep grad Marcus Wilson (Notre Dame) anchored the offense. Plenty of football- watchers - even from Long Island - felt last night's City team was the best to hit the steamy Hofstra University Stadium turf since the NYC-LI series began.
"These guys are huge," marveled Marco Battaglia, the Bengals tight end and St. Francis Prep graduate who served as honorary captain for the City team.
"The best thing we had when I was in school was the CHSAA all-star game - and that was just playing against the same guys we saw all year." But it's the glue guys, the ones who make things work, who were important last night. The 50 kids on the City team weren't treating this game like some high-school swan song, a night of two-hand touch in front of a few thousand fans.
"This is the biggest game you can play outside of a playoff game or a championship game," said Holy Cross grad Dale Robinson, playing middle linebacker alongside Williams last night. "You're playing with guys who'll make you better and against guys who'll make you better. And it's for bragging rights." And it was certainly a different atmosphere than nearly all the City players were used to. Having practiced all week at the Jets' facility on the Hofstra campus, the City squad got a taste of suburban life - not that the Long Island players have exclusive access to NFL-caliber weight rooms and such, but they usually have nice fields behind their schools.
Willie Colon, a 6-4, 280-pound defensive tackle from Cardinal Hayes, is used to practicing on a 40-yard patch of green wedged between his Bronx school building and the subway yards near Yankee Stadium.
"They'll be prepared, and now, so will we," said Colon, who will attend Hofstra (as will Ortega) in the fall. "New York is on the rise and games like this can show the city guys can compete." Colon, like most of the other City players, is accustomed to a short roster and having to play both ways. In 90-degree heat like last night's - at 4 p.m., it was 115 degrees on the turf - two-way players quickly become heat casualties.
"We can conserve our energies," Colon said.
There was little conservation in the low-scoring game. The City offensive line was taxed by Long Island's James Wyche, a Syracuse-bound defensive end who gave City quarterback Ben Selmani fits. But Colon, Williams, Robinson and the rest of the City defense more than held their own.
Ortega knew early in the week this City team could be a winner.
Getting to Hofstra from Queens is no big deal, but many of his teammates traveled plenty just to get to workouts. "We've got a bunch of guys from out in Staten Island," Ortega said. "It would take them a couple hours just to get to practice and the intensity would still be there.
"This is a team I'd take anywhere."

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Greenwood's Return to Hofstra Worth Weight in Gold
by Mark La Monica
Staff Writer

Morlon Greenwood stands 6-1 and weighs in the neighborhood of 235 pounds, all finely sculpted muscle. While his physical stature may cause the average person to look twice in awe, Greenwood fits right in on the sidelines at Hofstra Stadium.

But as an honorary captain for Long Island at the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge All-Star Game last night, Greenwood's presence carried more weight than any 300-pound lineman ever could. Greenwood, a Freeport graduate who went on to star at Syracuse as a linebacker, was taken in the third round in April's NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins.

"I've been to college, and I got drafted," said Greenwood, who played in the first game in 1996. "It's a form of motivation, and it could happen to them." Greenwood spoke with the players before the game and spent some of the pregame festivities signing autographs with former Freeport and Syracuse teammate Clifton Smith.

Boomer's Busy Day Boomer Esiason spent most of his professional career running around a football field avoiding monstrous linemen. Yesterday, he took a different approach. Esiason worked all corners of the football facilities at Hofstra, making sure everything went off without a hitch. Esiason helped coordinate everything from corporate sponsors to an interactive football experience in the parking lot to helicopter flyovers by the United States Army.

"It's like a mini-Super Bowl out here," Esiason said. "It's an unbelievable thing to see it all come together." Esiason estimated the game will raise $225,000, which helps benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Gunnar H. Esiason Scholarship Fund at Hofstra and local youth football programs. Esiason's son, Gunnar, was born with cystic fibrosis. Each school that sends a player or coach to the game receives $1,000 worth of football equipment, and the winning team's MVP earns an extra $1,500 for his school.

Hit and Miss School's over for Lawrence's David Bodner, yet he still had two assignments to complete. The first was to snap a scoreless tie and put Long Island on the board late in the first half with a 38-yard field goal. Bodner got an A-plus.

His second job was to stay at home on his third-quarter kickoff and stop Stephen Gregory (Curtis). Bodner got an A for effort, but his execution fell short as Marcus Wilson (Poly Prep) laid him out with a ferocious hit, enabling Gregory to score on a 105-yard return.

One More Time Lenny Mattera, who coached Amityville to back-to-back Suffolk Division III titles and a Long Island Class III championship in 1999, walked the sideline and drew up a game plan for the final time. He retired after last season, his 34th. Mattera coached at Bay Shore and Plainview JFK before taking over at Amityville for his final seven seasons.

"I want these kids to work hard," Mattera said before the game. "That's the memory I'll take with me." Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge 2001: NYC 17, Long Island 10 2000: Long Island 23, NYC 18 1999: NYC 13, Long Island 12 1998: Long Island 28, NYC 14 1997: Nassau 12, Suffolk 0 1996: Suffolk 27, Nassau 18

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INSIDE HIGH SCHOOLS
Re-energized Riggs
back where he belongs
Jason Molinet

CLINT RIGGS stood at the far end of the Long Island sideline, his helmet in hand and the crowd at full throat. Nervous excitement bubbled inside. The 6-1, 232-pound Commack graduate was back on the football field once again, back where he belongs.

Riggs started at middle linebacker for the Long Island squad in last night's sixth annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge at Hofstra Stadium.

And he set the tone on the first play from scrimmage, fighting through New York City blockers to drop Wagner (S.I.) running back Ramael Myers for a 6-yard loss.

That Riggs, who will report for practice at Central Connecticut State in a few short weeks, was on the field at all is a testament to his resolve. It's been a little more than three months since Riggs' life literally took a tragic turn. In one quick instant, Riggs' confidence was shattered and his younger brother, Mike Riggs, was left near death.

Riggs, an All-Long Island football player, was driving home from afternoon lacrosse practice March 19 in his dad's 1997 green Mitsubishi Mirage. His friend and teammate, Mike Killeen, was in the passenger seat and the younger Riggs, a freshman midfielder on the junior varsity, sat in the back.

When another car cut off Riggs, he lost control of the Mirage, which clipped a utility pole on Commack Road. Killeen - who had the benefit of air bags and seat belt - was fine. Mike Riggs was ejected from the rear window and suffered a broken jaw in three places, multiple fractures of his right pelvis and hip, and a bruised brain stem.

Commack football coach John Foley arrived at the scene moments after Mike Riggs was airlifted to University Hospital at Stony Brook. When Foley asked one of the paramedics if the younger Riggs would be all right, he was told the worst possible news.

"He said, 'I don't think so,'" Foley recalled.

The elder Riggs suffered a deep 12-inch-long cut along his scalp and a concussion. He was back playing lacrosse in three weeks, but the emotional toll was much steeper.

"I was just concentrating on my brother and getting him better," Riggs said. "It's been emotional. I was a real wreck the first week. It was an accident, but I blamed myself. I wish there was something I could have done differently, something I could have done to make it right." Mike Riggs spent five weeks at four different hospitals, where he gradually regained the use of his left hand and had surgery to repair his jaw and hip.

Before the accident, Foley thought the younger Riggs would make an even better linebacker than Clint or brother Chris Riggs, a 1997 graduate and team captain. That all changed with the accident. But Mike Riggs has made huge strides since his near-death experience. He's been walking without crutches or a cane in the last two weeks and even was cleared to play football in September.

"The community was there for us every day," mom Diane Riggs said. "That was a big part of the healing process." And last night was a chance to celebrate. The Riggs family and a good portion of the Commack community were out at Hofstra, rooting for Riggs and his Commack teammates.

To the casual fan, it was one last chance to see these high school standouts before they move on to college. But for Clint Riggs, it was an opportunity to play without his thoughts drifting elsewhere. His brother is on the mend. He has a second chance at football, and a second chance at life.

"It felt good to put on a helmet and cleats again," Riggs said. "It gave me a renewed sense of energy. When I'm not on the field, something is wrong in my life."

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Veteran PSAL Coach to Concentrate on NFL
by Michael J. Woods
Staff Writer

After 21 seasons coaching high school football, Jerry Horowitz, the City head coach for the 2001 Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, will be moving in a new direction full time.

Horowitz, who led John F. Kennedy to a PSAL title in the fall, was named a consultant for the NFL's Youth Football Programs almost four years ago, and last night was his high school football coaching swan song.

With five PSAL titles under his belt, Horowitz will use his experience and contacts while traveling the country and spreading the word about the NFL's junior player development program.

"It will be an opportunity to impact millions of kids," Horowitz said of the program, which introduces children to football, particularly urban, minority youths ages 12 to 14. "The program should increase the NFL's fan base and cause a resurgence in high school football. I've already seen it, as kids who were in the program a couple years ago played for me this year at Kennedy and won the title." Scott Lancaster is the NFL's senior director of youth football programs and was present at Hofstra last night. He said Horowitz has been a considerable aid to his organization.

"In about four years, he's helped me craft a vision and provide access to different age levels across the country, as well as helping develop innovative teaching and practice methods to make the game more inclusive." In 2001, the NFL has run 22 junior player development camps, each one eight weeks long and including 150 to 180 children in each session.

Before devoting all his energies to his job with the NFL, Horowitz had to work last night's game. Coaching the 50 City players, including six players from the 2000 Kennedy roster (Dusean Crowell, Antonio Eldemire, Artem Rozhkov, Tyrone Thorne, Jamel Williams and Muttaqi Windley) it was a bittersweet affair, he said, since he finished the Kennedy season on such a high note.

"It's like an engagement, when you break up and then get back together," he said. "It's never going to be the same. I'm not stupid enough to think I'm not going to miss these guys." Horowitz tipped his hand when he was asked before kickoff to predict the final score of the game. "Fifty to nothing, Kennedy," he said, before catching himself. "No, 40-38, a win." Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge 2001: NYC 17, Long Island 10 2000: Long Island 23, NYC 18 1999: NYC 13, Long Island 12 1998: Long Island 28, NYC 14 1997: Nassau 12, Suffolk 0 1996: Suffolk 27, Nassau 18

Ready to Unveil Weapon
Poly Prep star back Wilson will be front and center
by Sylvia E. King-Cohen
Staff Writer

One of the best-kept secrets of this year's Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge All-Star football game has flown under even the coaches' radar.

Although Poly Prep running back Marcus Wilson arrived on time, most of the coaches thought he was stuck on the Long Island Expressway, which had waylaid nearly half the team for almost an hour on the way to practice at the Jets' facility at Hofstra.

"Since I don't play in the city, most people don't know about me," said the Newsday All-City player, whose school plays in the six-team Ivy League and also against out-of-state opponents. "Nobody really knows about me. I want to show people who don't know about me what I'm all about." What the 5-11, 188-pound Notre Dame-bound player is about is 4.41 speed, which helped him become the city's top rusher last season. That, and his attitude, helps make him the perfect player for this All-Star game, which raises money for the Boomer Esiason Foundation to fight cystic fibrosis and for local youth football programs.

"This game is not about turning it out," Wilson said. "I'm just going to do what I did all season [at Poly Prep]: run the ball, get yards and get our team to win." Wilson also is looking forward to playing on a team with the best seniors in New York City and isn't worried about learning to play with a new offense on short notice. "Some of these guys I haven't played with since little league football. I'm really excited about being at this game because I wanted to get a chance to play with some of them again." Wilson said practices, which had to be canceled Tuesday because half the team had to attend graduations, have been smooth. "It has not been hard at all to click with all of them," Wilson said. "Practices have been good. I think we'll play well." Though practicing at a pro facility is a perk, he can't wait to get on the Hofstra field for the real perk, playing against the best players from Long Island.

"I've faced a lot of tough defenses," Wilson said. "I can't wait to get out there." He may have a little extra incentive Saturday night because scoring points is what this game is all about.

"The offense has the advantage in this game," said Lehman coach and city defensive coordinator Carmine Colasanto. "There will be no blitzing, and there are other things we can't do. But it is the same for both teams." DeWitt Clinton coach Ed Gardella echoed his thoughts about the game, founded by former Jets quarterback Esiason, whose son, Gunnar, is battling the genetic disorder that is marked by chronic infections, clogged airways and digestive and reproductive problems.

"The offense can pretty much do anything it wants to do, and the defense has got blinders on," said Gardella, the city team's defensive administrator.

"It should be a high-scoring, entertaining game. But that's what Boomer wants.

But the important thing is that we're here for the foundation and the kids." Colasanto said, "Yes, it's an honor to be chosen to play, but it is more important that the kids [playing] realize this game is a chance for them to give back [to the community]."

Game a Great Showcase
by Michael J. Woods
Staff Writer

Yes, it's just an All-Star game, and summer vacation has started for most of the 50 New York City high school football players who will play in the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge against Long Island's finest seniors Saturday evening at Hofstra Stadium in Hempstead (L.I.).

But don't think for a moment that competitive juices won't be flowing come game time; they were in evidence yesterday afternoon as the City All-Stars went through their paces at the Jets' practice facility at Hofstra.

Just so you know, boys, one City assistant coach announced as a group of high school seniors gathered round to stretch, "The Long Island boys practiced in the air conditioning." That coach was partially correct, as the Long Island squad spent some time outdoors on the molten turf yesterday before moving indoors to the temperature- controlled practice bubble. Still, it was made clear yesterday that this game will not be a lark.

Twelve of the 50 City players are still undecided where they will attend college, so for some, Saturday's game is an opportunity to open some eyes and maybe hook on with a prep school or junior college for the upcoming season.

There are kids who get missed, especially if they went to a school with a losing record, said Holy Cross coach Tom Pugh, who will oversee the defensive backs.

Others know where they're headed. Truesun Thomas, who played for Springfield Gardens after spending three seasons at St. Francis Prep, will see time in the defensive backfield Saturday. The 6-foot, 175-pounder, a Newsday All-Queens selection, is headed to Wagner after Hofstra told him that they would evaluate him in the Empire Challenge before they would decide on his application.

"I can't wait," said Thomas, who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and will be a receiver and running back at Wagner. "I'll go somewhere where my talent is appreciated." Another City All-Star who will stay local is Orion Sykes, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior from Christ the King. He's excited about playing ball at St.

John's. He's projected as a strong safety in college.

"Hitting, that's what I do," said Sykes, who had 80 tackles and made Newsday's All-Queens squad.

Sykes will work on his coverage Saturday, heeding the advice of St. John's coaches. "My primary concern is to have fun, stay healthy, and hopefully win," he said.

Roosevelt Trio Plays Just One Last Tune
by Jason Molinet
Staff Writer

This is the last act in a fantastic two-year run for Roosevelt's fearsome threesome of Randall James, Dennis Robinson and James Wyche.

They provided the foundation for Roosevelt's back-to-back Long Island Class IV football championships, anchoring the defensive line. And what a defense it was. The Rough Riders gave up just one rushing touchdown in eight regular-season games last fall, and the 1999 squad didn't allow a single passing touchdown.

James, Robinson and Wyche will line up side by side one final time before heading on to college when they represent Long Island in the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge All- Star football game at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Hofstra Stadium.

"They are like my brothers," the 6-5, 230-pound Wyche said. "I grew up around them. So I'm just looking to go out there and have some fun." Wyche signed with Syracuse in February. He will play defensive end after racking up 17 sacks.

The 6-foot, 270-pound James is headed to Delaware to play defensive tackle after a four-year career that included three trips to the Long Island championship game.

The 6-3, 198-pound Robinson will play defensive end at Nassau CC, where he'll showcase his game-breaking speed. Robinson was among Nassau's top performers in the 400 meters this spring.

"These guys have been the nucleus of one of the greatest defenses on Long Island over the last two seasons," Roosevelt coach Joe Vito said. "I'm very proud that they are together for one last game." Babylon coach Hans Wiederkehr, a former NFL offensive lineman, an assistant for Long Island the past five years, knows what the Roosevelt trio can do.

Wiederkehr believes this is the strongest group he's seen, headlined by starters James, Wyche, Islip's Darell Adams (who is headed to Villanova) and Garden City's Mark Oppedisano (Johns Hopkins). But expect Robinson to see plenty of action.

Football may have molded James, Robinson and Wyche into better people. It also forged a lasting bond. Though bragging rights are on the line when Long Island faces the City squad, for James, Robinson and Wyche, it will simply be a chance to share the same field with old friends.

"It's cool to go out there just like old times," James said. "It's one last chance to get suited up for the same team."