Floyd Rolls to County Title, Falls in LI Shootout

The 2024 season was another powerhouse campaign for the William Floyd Colonials, who once again cemented their legacy as one of Long Island’s premier football programs under head coach Paul Longo.

Regular Season Dominance

The Colonials stormed through the regular season, finishing with a 7-1 record and clinching their 16th Division I title in program history. Their only blemish came in a dramatic 22-21 loss to Ward Melville, a game decided by a last-second defensive stand. Despite that setback, William Floyd averaged nearly 39 points per game, outscoring opponents 311-174, and showcased a balanced attack led by quarterback A.J. Cannet and star running back Ja’Quan Thomas2.

Playoff Run and Suffolk County Championship

William Floyd entered the postseason as the top seed and wasted no time making a statement. They dispatched Sachem East and then rolled over Sachem North 35-14 in the semifinals, with Thomas racking up 232 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Cannet added two touchdown passes, while the defense, anchored by Aaron Fisher and Jayden Johnson, stifled the opposition5.

The Colonials got their revenge against Ward Melville in the Suffolk County Championship, dominating 34-6 at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium. Thomas delivered a legendary performance, carrying the ball 30 times for 272 yards and all five of Floyd’s touchdowns. The defense came up big with key interceptions from Geo Alvarez and David Gonzalez, while Jake Rivera and Fisher led a relentless effort up front. This victory marked Floyd’s 15th Suffolk County title and their second straight county crown5.

Long Island Championship Heartbreaker

The Colonials advanced to the Long Island Championship, setting up a rematch with Massapequa. In a wild, high-scoring affair, William Floyd fell just short, losing 42-40. Thomas capped his spectacular season with 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Joshua Jordan hauled in six catches for 172 yards and two scores. Cannet threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, but the Colonials couldn’t quite overcome the Chiefs’ offensive firepower in the closing minutes35.

Season Legacy and Standouts

William Floyd finished the season with a 10-2 record, their only losses coming in dramatic, close contests. Ja’Quan Thomas was the engine of the offense, consistently posting eye-popping rushing numbers behind a dominant offensive line. Cannet’s steady play at quarterback and Jordan’s big-play ability at receiver rounded out a balanced attack. Defensively, Fisher, Rivera, and Wallace anchored a unit that thrived in big moments25.

With another Suffolk County championship in the trophy case and a Long Island final that went down to the wire, the 2024 Colonials added yet another chapter to their storied tradition. The future remains bright in Mastic Beach, where winning football is simply the expectation.