The Patchogue-Medford High School flag football team, the Raiders, is enjoying a successful season, replete with star players.

Seniors Diamond Pertillar and Alexis Bulson-Cuozzo were recently named to Newsday’s top 30 Long Island girls flag football players list, with Diamond also being named Newsday’s Athlete of the Week.

In their inaugural 2023 season, the Raiders achieved an undefeated regular season, won the league championship, and reached the Suffolk County championship game. They aim to continue this impressive culture of success, this season and beyond.

“We have a great deal of exceptional athletes on this team,” said Patchogue-Medford High School varsity flag football head coach Brad Weinman, who also serves as a physical education teacher at the high school. “We hope to return to where we left off in the county championship last year, and we look forward to the opportunities afforded to us through new rules this season, such as punt returning.”

As Patchogue-Medford’s star wide receiver and defensive back, Diamond Pertillar is regarded as one of Long Island’s best two-way players.

In the 2023 season, Diamond was named an all-county selection and had 52 catches and 12 touchdowns to go along with nine interceptions. Diamond began the 2024 season in Newsday’s spotlight as the Athlete of the Week for her exceptional performance in the team’s win over Sachem East High School, in which she recorded seven receptions for 112 yards and four touchdowns. 

Diamond has also dominated the basketball court in her career at Patchogue-Medford, with multiple all-county accolades. She was named to Newsday’s all-Long Island girls basketball second team for her performance this season and was selected as League Player of the Year as a junior. She will continue her education at Five Towns College and play on the school’s women’s basketball team. 

“Diamond is one of the best all-around athletes to ever walk the halls of Patchogue-Medford,” said Patchogue-Medford High School varsity flag football assistant coach Robert DeSilva, who also serves as a district physical education teacher and the assistant coach of the Patchogue-Medford High School girls varsity basketball team. “She is a great teammate who makes everyone around her better, and she has an infectious personality that raises spirits. She is truly a role model for Patchogue-Medford Raiders.”

Quarterback and linebacker Alexis Bulson-Cuozzo joined her teammate Diamond on Newsday’s prestigious top flag football players list. In the 2023 season, Alexis completed 177 passes for 1,765 yards, carried the ball 59 times for 340 yards, and totaled 30 touchdowns.

Alexis’ success extends beyond the flag football field to the classroom, as well as her participation in soccer, basketball, and competitive dance. In basketball, Alexis possesses the Patchogue-Medford High School record for career assists and has received all-league, all-conference, and all-county academic accolades. She will continue her education at La Salle University, where she will play basketball. 

“Alexis is a symbol of hard work and a can-do attitude,” said DeSilva. “She strives for excellence in everything she does while doing enough extracurricular activities to keep anyone busy.”

The Raiders team is full of many other talented players, and they continue to collect wins. After graduating only one senior last year, most of the 2023 team returned and was joined by skilled additions.

Newcomers Alexis Campitello, Isabella Salducco, and Mackenzie Hughes have stood out, with the latter displaying great talent as a quarterback. Paige McGowan and Kelsey Vargas are exceptional receivers, and Marie Cataldo is a center with fantastic hands, which is key since all players are eligible to receive passes. The defense is tied together by linebacker Tamiya Williamson-Fraser, who led the team in flag pulls last season.