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Amityville's Jerome Willis tapped for Empire Challenge
Willis was joined by Babylon's Ishmoile Mohammed and West Islip's Justin Turri, as the only players from the area to be selected for the annual high school football all-star game that matched New York City against Long Island at Hofstra's James M. Shuart Stadium on June 29. All proceeds go to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which was established to fight cystic fibrosis. "It's very exciting," said Willis, who led Amityville with 92 tackles this season. "It was something different seeing new faces and playing with people you never played with to make a team." Although Long Island lost, 35-27, this game, as cliché as it sounds, is not about winning, it's about the once in a lifetime experience and the somewhat professional treatment these high school players receive. "A victory would have been nice, but it doesn't make a difference," Willis said. Willis also said he realized it was a special treat to play in a game that former Long Island high school players in the NFLdidn't even get a chance to play in. "That's enough motivation for us to realize we're starting off good [in our careers]," he said. It was motivation for Amityville's football program as well. "It's good for our kids to see an Amityville kid get recognized," Warriors' coach Chris Taylor said. "A number of our kids went to the game. There was a lot of excitement and it's a great atmosphere for everybody." Willis will play at Nassau County Community College in the fall. Notes: •Anthony Hamilton, from Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, rushed for a game high 175 yards and two touchdowns. •Freeport's Will Porter rushed for 77 yards on 11 carries and earned team MVP.
•Turri is playing on a lacrosse scholarship at Duke University next year.
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