H.S. Football: Week 1

The Nassau County High School football season is set to kick off on Tuesday at 4 p.m. when Mepham travels to face defending Conference II champion Garden City. It’s the first of nine games on Sept. 7, which marks the earliest start date in county history according to Section VIII football coordinator Pat Pizzarelli. The early start date will allow some teams extra time between games, with Week 2 set for Thursday, Sept. 16. 

In Conference I openers on Tuesday, East Meadow visits Port Washington for a 4:15 p.m. start, and Oceanside is home to Massapequa at 7 p.m. In Conference III, Lynbrook hosts Bethpage at Marion Street School at 4:30 p.m. 

Lawrence is the place to be on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Joe Martillotti makes his head coaching debut for the defending Conference III champion Golden Tornadoes, who open their new turf field against South Side at 3 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, Baldwin and defending Conference I champion Freeport renew their rivalry on the Red Devils’ field at 1:30 p.m. Kennedy, led by new head coach Nick Martone, goes to Elmont in Conference II, Sewanhaka travels to Valley Stream South in Conference III, and Floral Park hits the road to take on East Rockaway in Conference IV.

Look for the Herald’s 32-page High School Football Preview Section in next week’s editions.