Between three New York City products going in the first five rounds of last month’s NFL Draft and the city producing three All-Americans at the high school level, local football is enjoying a boon.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t extended to the Empire Challenge.
The showcase, in its 19th season, is supposed to be a celebration of high school football in the area, offering a big stage for the best players from New York City against those from Long Island.
Though it does that to an extent — in addition to raising money for the Boomer Esiason Foundation in its fight against cystic fibrosis — in recent years the five boroughs has come up short, in part because of a diminished roster. The three All-Americans the city produced this year weren’t in uniform Wednesday night for a variety of reasons as NYC lost four the fourth straight time, 24-18, in front of 9,150.
Lincoln defensive tackle Thomas Holley was already at the University of Florida, beginning summer school, as was Poly Prep defensive lineman Jay Hayes (Notre Dame). Erasmus Hall running back Curtis Samuel was at Hofstra to watch — not play — in a red T-shirt that read “The Future is Here.” Samuel enrolled early at Ohio State so was unable to suit up.
“We proved that today without our superstars [we’re still pretty good]. We played pretty tough today,” NYC coach Shawn O’Connor said. “We out-rushed them, we out-played them. We just made mistakes.
“Of course, it would be great to have those guys, a Holley, a Curtis Samuel.”
This isn’t new. In fact, it’s become a theme. The top college programs either prohibit or dissuade their players from participating in the annual all-star game so close to the upcoming season.
“If the game was earlier, a lot of players would’ve played,” Samuel said. “This time [of year], some players go to college early. You don’t want to step into a game like this and put yourself at risk when you’re trying to take the next step.”
New York City dominated the game’s early stages, moving into Long Island territory five times in the first half, all without scoring. Long Island took control in the second quarter with a 15-play, 95-yard drive that was capped by Huntington quarterback Ben Kocis’ 5-yard touchdown run, and never trailed. St. John the Baptist cornerback Lawson Prendergast sealed the game, picking off John F. Kennedy quarterback Anthony Cruz and returning it 25 yards for a touchdown with 3:14 left.
Kocis, the game’s MVP who is headed to Binghamton to play lacrosse, capped his high school football career with a bang, completing 10-of-15 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Afterward, Esiason said jokingly he should stick with football, because there’s no money in lacrosse.
“It’s so hard,” Kocis said. “I love both football and lacrosse. I’m just happy how I ended my football career. I couldn’t be more happy, or thankful really.”