Michelle Kim

Long Island High School's Football Season Will Play After Player Dies During Freak Accident During Training

Joshua Mileto, 16, was laid to rest during a funeral earlier in the week

What to Know

  • Sachem East's football team will play this season despite the death of a 16-year-old player, a spokesperson says
  • The district is expected to announce changes to the coaching staff Friday, but it is still unclear what those changes will be
  • Joshua Mileto died on Aug. 10 after a 400-pound log he and four other players were carrying struck him on the head, police said

A Long Island high school's football team will play this season despite the death of a player's death during a training drill, a school district spokesperson says.

The decision came Thursday, several days after officials decided to assess the status of Sachem East's team activities. 

The district is expected to announce changes to the coaching staff Friday, the spokesperson said. However, there was still no word on what those changes will be. 

A number of team coaches were on hand at the summer camp where 16-year-old Joshua Mileto died during a military-style drill. 

Suffolk County police say Mileto died on Aug. 10 after a 400-pound log he and four other players were carrying struck him on the head.

The accident occurred during the summer camp held on school grounds before football practices officially began. 

The strength and conditioning camp wasn't affiliated with Sachem East High School, but it was run by some of the high school coaches. A local high school athletic trainer not affiliated with the school has told News 4 he didn't think the log drill was appropriate for teens, but people in the community think it was simply a tragic freak accident. 

"I don't think he should be accountable for anything," said Farmingville resident Melissa Calle. "It wasn't his fault, and accidents happen." 

"How could the coach foresee a log falling on the boy? It's a very sad tragedy. I feel for the family of the boy, and the coach, too," said Ceceil Arante. 

Hundreds of people turned out Tuesday for the teen's funeral in Lake Ronkonkoma.

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