Thursday, October 1, 2026
You can count on one finger how many sophomores have won the Thorp Award, given annually to Nassau County’s top football player.
That’s Luke Martini, who won it last fall after helping lead Wantagh to its second consecutive county title. The Warriors captured the Conference III crown after taking the Conference IV championship in 2024.
The 2024 Thorp winner was Luke’s older brother Dylan, marking the first time a pair of brothers captured the award. Luke was the 84th recipient.
“Luke’s the whole package and we know everyone is going to focus on trying to stop him,” head coach Keith Sachs said. “He can do it all and is a physical specimen. We have to work every day on being more diverse on offense and I think we have the pieces to do it.”
Martini rushed for a 32 yards shy of 2,000, averaging 12 yards per carry, and had 329 yards receiving. He totaled 25 touchdowns.
Most of Luke’s comrades graduated, but Sachs is excited about Wantagh’s depth up front and potential of yet another first-year senior quarterback.
Senior Max Avena was last year’s backup to standout Carter Loughman and saw action in two games. “Max is smart and dedicated and doing everything he can to get ready for Plainedge in the opener,” Sachs said. “He has a good arm. He’s a pocket-type but also looks good in play-action.”
Sachs said the opener on the road against a talented Plainedge squad, in Conference III after a 10-1 campaign in IV, will be tricky.
“It’s a tough opener because they’ve got a new coach and a new quarterback,” Sachs said. “We can’t fully prepare as much as we’d normally like to not knowing what they’ll look like, but it’ll be fine.”
Wantagh is seeded No. 2 in Conference III behind South Side. The teams don’t meet until the final week of the regular season. Homecoming is Week 4 versus Glen Cove.
Senior guard Pat Forthofer leads a group of offensive lineman that brings strength, agility and physicality. He’s also the team’s top defender who recorded 90 tackles.
Junior Vincenzo Fullone is another guard with a high motor and excellent football instincts, Sachs said. “He’s a solid blocker and you’ll never see him give up on a play,” the coach noted. “He can chase down running backs.”
Junior Brendan Wood is a three-pronged weapon who’ll start at right tackle, the D-Line and kicker. His leg was a weapon last season and Sachs is expecting much of the same.
At center, senior Bobby Friedman and junior Sean Murphy, last year’s JV starter, will contribute. At left tackle, the Warriors have depth with junior Joey Moy and sophomore Michael Christoforidis who plays with a “mean streak,” Sachs said.
There’s lots of talent at the skill positions, just not as much of experience as last year. Senior Joe Adamo is a wing and linebacker who’ll be a big part of what the Warriors will look to do on both sides of the ball. Last year’s JV tailback, junior Mike Arteca, is also in the mix. Junior fullback Marty Maniet will also play a key role clearing pathways for Martini & Co.
Through the air, juniors Luke Rubbo and Jayden Amendolare are first-year starters who can compliment each other well, Sachs said. Rubbo will play safety and Amendolare defensive end.
Along with Forthofer, junior cornerback Tyler Owens will help the Warriors set the tone on defense. Owens will typically get the toughest assignment and is a shutdown corner with great tackling ability. Senior Ray Azzariti is no picnic to go against at the opposite corner.
Wantagh has reached the county semifinals at Hofstra in 28 of the past 30 seasons. It’s both a goal and an expectation.
“We lost a lot of big guns, but we’re just as physical and strong as last year,” Sachs explained. “We always want to be playing our best football come playoff time.”
To read more from the Herald's 2026 High School Football Preview, click here.
