The numbers are astounding. One by one, the football players walked out of the Bellport locker room on their way to the practice field. It seemed like the line of players would never end. More than 100 athletes had signed up to play.

"Everyone wants to be a part of this program," Bellport coach Joe Cipp Jr. said. "I've designed the program around a family atmosphere and it's become better and better."

Bellport continues to flourish because the program consistently produces winners. The Clippers have won the most Long Island football titles, capturing Class II titles in 1992, '95 and '97.

So what is the secret to Bellport's dominance? Is it the South Shore water? Most programs go through a rebuilding stage - but not Bellport.

"I really believe that we have great line coaching," said Cipp, who has a 121-52-2 record over 19 years. "And when there's a solid line, you win. All schools have a great athlete that can run the ball. But if he has no one to block for him - what can he do?"

Line coach Roy Still is assisted by Chris Baumann and Jeff Cipp. Both played for Still at Bellport and understand the line technique and philosophy.

"That's our advantage," Cipp said. "They get the most out of our kids."

The line paved the way last year as the Clippers became the fourth team in the county to score more than 400 points in a season (429). They went on to beat Lawrence, 44-12, for the Long Island Class II title.

This year the line is experienced and led by center Ray Springsteen (6-2, 230), tackles Brad Newton (6-2, 230) and Mike LaGrega (6-4, 255), and guards David Kessler (6-2, 195) and Eric Realander (6-1, 225). "There are no individuals in this program, it's a team effort," Newton said. "We play for each other."

Bellport is riding an 11-game winning streak and is the top seed in Division II for the third straight year. "Good is never good enough in this division," Cipp said. "These kids have a wonderful work ethic and know that each week in our division there's a new test."

North Babylon, the Long Island Class III champ, moves up in class and will challenge the Clippers with All-Long Island superback Barry Baker. The schedule opens with an old adversary as Sal Ciampi returns to coach at East Islip. There is also playoff contenders from Huntington, West Islip and Hills East.

The common denominator in the program is the coaching staff. The backbone of one of Long Island's winningest programs are the men who direct it. As the players stretched across the practice fields, Cipp, Still (assistant), Craig Erickson (offensive coordinator), Jeff Cipp (O-Line), Baumann (O-Line), Tony Cachia (special teams), Bill Ashton (linebackers) and John Conquest (volunteer) milled around them shouting orders. The core of that group [Cipp Jr., Still, Erickson, Conquest] has been together since 1976.

"They make us much better," junior halfback Kebra Johnson said. "The hard practices pay off."

You can see it in the numbers.

Reference: Newsday, 9-13-1998, pp K4.