Neither the Garden City Trojans nor the Massapequa Chiefs has lost a football game in years.
That remarkable run will end for one of them Saturday night at Hofstra University.
The two Long Island football powers, each representing a championship town, will meet for the first time in a highly anticipated showdown drawing attention across the region — including from some of their most prominent alumni.
“Once a Trojan, always a Trojan,” FBI Director Kash Patel told The Post.
“I played my playoff games at Hofstra as Garden City’s place-kicker, and I am proud to see the tradition they’re carrying forward. Let’s keep it rolling. Go Trojans!”
A few miles east along Merrick Road, the anticipation is just as intense, according to Fox News host and Massapequa graduate Brian Kilmeade.
“I have never in all my years in Massapequa heard more buzz about a regular-season game than this one vs. Garden City,” said Kilmeade, a former Massapequa High School soccer player who continues to live in the community.
“While I hope the Chiefs will prevail, I guarantee the stands will be packed — and the football will be great.”
The Nassau County schools have never faced one another because they compete in different conferences determined by enrollment. Massapequa plays in the larger-school Conference I, while Garden City competes in Conference II.
A recent Section VIII rule change made the heavyweight crossover possible, bringing the matchup to life and effectively shutting down both communities this weekend. Despite an approaching nor’easter, the game remained scheduled as of late Thursday.
“It’s going to be loud,” Chiefs senior wide receiver Dylan Milio said. “Really loud.”
An All-American epic
Coach Kevin Shippos’ Massapequa team enters the game with 25 consecutive victories. The Chiefs have also made history as the first Nassau County program at their level to win three consecutive Long Island championships.
Shippos described Saturday’s landmark game as an experience the players will remember for the rest of their lives. His instruction to them is simple: “Go out there and let it fly.”
“You only get eight games guaranteed, and this happens to be one of them. It’s a special time,” Shippos added, while expressing deep respect for Garden City.
“This is good not just for us, but Nassau County football in general. There’s too many lopsided games.”
Garden City’s story of dominance could have come straight from a Christopher Nolan screenplay, with the Trojans’ winning run resonating far beyond Long Island.
Coach Dave Ettinger’s team owns the nation’s longest active winning streak at 68 games, dating to 2019. The Trojans have captured five consecutive Long Island titles and 10 straight Nassau County championships.
Ettinger was honored by the NFL at Super Bowl 60 as a coach of the year. Yet Garden City has maintained a low-key, business-as-usual approach to a matchup so highly anticipated that sports bars are already organizing watch parties.
“We are excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against a great program and a school twice our size. At the same time, we’re keeping everything in perspective,” Garden City athletic director Ed Ramirez said.
“It’s a Week 3 nonconference game, and while we certainly want to compete and win, our season goals go well beyond this one game. Ultimately, our goal isn’t about winning this game — it’s about putting ourselves in position to win the last game of the year.”
Massapequa also has “tunnel vision” leading up to Saturday, said senior tight end Giovanni Tarasi.
“I think it’s just similar to every other game — just block out the noise.”
Mass appeal
Still, he can’t help but get excited for the moment, which Chiefs Nation’s passionate fanfare is massively amplifying.
“It’s great to have all the alumni — hearing them talk about it, having them behind us.”
One of those graduates is former NFL defensive lineman Gary Baldinger, who will address them Friday.
“I always talk about how Chief Pride runs deep,” said Baldinger. “That’s my motto — and that’s what Massapequa is all about.”
He does not need to hit the boys with the “nuts and bolts” of a motivational speech ahead of this one. Everybody knows what’s on the line.
“This is once in a lifetime,” Baldinger added. “There’s a lot of bragging rights involved.”
These Chiefs in particular have no interest in resting on glory days, caring instead about the legacy they will have come Saturday and beyond.
“It’s our turn to write our own story,” said senior lineman Ryan Chabus.
“Leave no doubt that we left everything out on the field. Regardless of the result, we’ll be happy with what happened.”
