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West Point makes offer to William Floyd quarterback
BY JIM FURLONG
The Army wants Joey Sidaras.
So do the Hofsta and Stony Brook coaching staffs
The versatile starting quarterback for the William Floyd varsity football
program has already displayed exceptional talent and potential, and many college
recruiters are interested.
Sidaras, who will be
a Floyd senior when fall practices begin on August 16, recently gained his
first full college offer.
Floyd coach Paul Longo confirmed Sidaras visited West Point and head coach
Stan Brock made him an official offer.
"Joe likes Army. He is definitely interested," Longo said. "It
is a great education (to attend the United States Military Academy). . . .
He is excited about the opportunity to play Division I-A football. He is one
of the top recruits on the East Coast. Not every day do you see a 6-3, 200-pound
quarterback who can run and throw like he can."
Army's offer is the first of many college offers that Sidaras will consider, said his father Joe. A full four-year offer to West Point is worth more than $300,000.
"For all (Army's( qualifications, he is qualified to get in," said his father. "The coach said his grades and SAT are high enough. (Brock) said his liked his strength, his size and his overall appearance, and his family values. He said we would talk more when Joey makes a decision."
The 17-year-old Sidaras said more than 30 colleges has contacted him with recruiting letters, text messages and phone calls. He can surf the Internet and see his name mentioned on recruiting web sites. Hofstra offered him a full ride in June and Stony Brook offered a scholarship late in July.
"The whole (recruiting)
process is exciting," Sidaras said. "I want to get away (from home),
but not far, far away; so my family and friends can see me."
Sidaras, who needs to consider multiple factors, will take his time before
choosing a college. The signing date for national letters of intent is early
in February. "Football is important, but the education has to be good,
too," he said.
Last fall, as Floyd completed its second-consecutive undefeated season and extended its school-record winning streak to 22 games, Sidaras excelled as a first-year varsity starter. He triggered the 2006 Colonials' offense to an 11-0 record.
As Floyd claimed its second-straight Long Island Class I championship, Sidaras sparkled during a three-game playoff sweep.
He helped spark a second-half surge when Floyd rallied to conquer the Nassau champion, East Meadow, 42-20, in the Long Island Class I title duel last November at the Hofstra University stadium. Sidaras, in windy conditions, completed 11 of 15 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He showed impressive leadership and poise, and also rushed 13 times for 73 yards and a touchdown.
When Floyd became the first Suffolk school in more than 40 years to produce back-to-back perfect seasons, Sidaras was named MVP of the Long Island final.
Although Army made the
first offer, Sidaras will likely have many college choices.
"He will have to see what other offers come around," Longo said.
Sidaras has made several college visits this summer. He planned to attend camps to tryout at Boston College, Virginia, Syracuse, Rutgers, Hofstra, Connecticut, Maryland and Buffalo.
Longo has sent video
tapes featuring Sidaras to interested college coaches, who wanted to watch
the Floyd standout showcase his skills in person.
Besides pondering his college choice, Sidaras is spending many hours this
summer preparing for his senior high school season. He currently lifts weights
four times a week and often runs a mile carrying a cinder block or a steel
beam.
Longo said the Colonials
will begin practices on August 16. The coach expects about 65 boys to try
out for the varsity. Another 50 boys will aim to join the JV squad and about
80 boys may be candidates for Floyd's ninth-grade team.
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