The options are as numerous as numbers on a roulette wheel when the Manhasset football team snaps the ball on offense.

Eddie Farkouh has to be aware of all of them. QB Drew Schwartz could drop back to pass, which is usually unlikely. Or he could pitch it to one the team’s three starters in the backfield, of which Farkouh is one. The ball could go to Jack Mulholland or Atif Heathington, which means Farkouh has to look for a defender to block, something he enjoys very much.

Or Schwartz could keep the ball himself, which means Farkouh looks to block but also has to be aware for a possible pitch back if Schwartz changes his mind.

Or finally, Farkouh could get the ball himself, and the 6-foot-3 fleet senior could get to show his skills.

This is what happens when you run a triple-option offense, as Manhasset does: Anybody can get the ball on any play. Which makes things confusing for the opponent, but also means the offensive guys have to have a lot running through their mind at the snap.

Fun is what Farkouh seems to have no matter what sport he plays, be it football in the autumn or as a member of the two-time state championship winning lacrosse team in the spring.

In 2022, Farkouh rushed for 400 yards in the triple-option attack Manhasset employs, and also started on defense at safety.

This year he’s been the “A” back in the backfield, running and being a receiver. He’s scored two touchdowns so far in 2023, including one on a punt return.

Farkouh’s elusiveness and speed, combined with his hard-hitting ability on defense, is one of the major reasons Manhasset opened the season with five straight wins, as it eyes a major showdown with undefeated and Long Island powerhouse Garden City on Oct. 13.

“He’s just an explosive player, with great speed and great football instincts,” said Manhasset head coach Jay Iaquinta.  “He’s a great athlete and an excellent tackler. And he’s a great kid with a great attitude.”

Farkouh’s teammate, senior running back Mulholland, said Farkouh’s work ethic and unselfishness rubs off on others.

“He’s always there early before (practice) and stays late, and younger guys see that,” Mulholland said. “What also stands out is his willingness to block for anybody, anywhere on the field.”

Farkouh’s journey to being a top player in two sports at Manhasset isn’t a surprise, but genetics would indicate his choice of those two sports and not another is a bit of a stunner.

Gordie Farkouh, Eddie’s Dad, was an outstanding goalkeeper in soccer at Manhasset and then at Boston College, and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2009 after breaking all records for netminders in his career, which concluded after the 1982 season.

But Eddie said his father never pressured him to put on soccer cleats, and in seventh grade the younger Farkouh tried football.

“I hated it,” he laughed. “I was tiny, I didn’t like the contact, I didn’t feel like I belonged. Definitely didn’t think I’d end up being a football player.”

But as he continued to grow, and his lacrosse career” blossomed (he’s a defender in that sport), Farkouh found his way back to football.

In 10th grade he tried out for junior varsity and said he loved it; the fun of hitting and tackling, combined with the speed that allowed him to gallop past opposing tacklers, contributed to the 180-degree turnaround in his feelings.

“I just got really into it, being on a team like we had and learning so much every day,” Farkouh said. “And then getting to play varsity last year, that’s a huge leap, but I was able to do it and also had a lot of fun.”

Iaquinta envisioned Farkouh playing linebacker again this season, but after some injuries early in the year, Farkouh was moved to linebacker, and he’s thrived, making a key interception in the win over Mepham on Sept. 30.

“He’s just a kid who no matter where you stick him, he’s going to give you his best effort and he’ll play well,” Iaquinta said.

“I love being a linebacker, getting to play the run and dropping back in coverage, and still getting to hit people,” Farkouh said. “When I made my first pick, man, that was more exciting than scoring a touchdown!”

Undecided on college as of now, Farkouh said he’d like to go into business and if possible, play lacrosse or football in school. But as of now he’s focused on the challenge of beating Garden City and helping Manhasset go on another county title run like it did in 2021.

“Feels like every week we’re getting better and better,” Farkouh said. “Who knows how far we can go?”