THREE VILLAGE, NY — At Ward Melville High School, Molly Combs plays basketball, flag football and soccer, moving from one season to the next with little downtime and a willingness to take on whatever role her teams need.
This summer, Patch is looking back at the student-athletes who helped define the 2025-26 sports seasons across Suffolk County.
This week’s Suffolk County Student Athlete of the Week is Combs, a rising junior who has already made an impact in three sports.
Combs plays wide receiver and safety in flag football, midfield and striker in soccer, and point guard and shooting guard in basketball.
“I think basketball brings a completely different side of me out,” Combs told Patch. “I’m just so passionate when I play, and I like playing with all my best friends.”
Soccer has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. The East Setauket teen said she has been playing 'ever since she could walk,' and the sport has introduced her to people she expects to remain close with for years.
Flag football is a newer sport for Combs. She was still learning the game as a freshman, but this spring, she became one of Ward Melville’s top players.
“I really like learning new things, and I’ve also made a lot of new friends, and I’ve learned so many new things,” Combs said.
Ward Melville flag football coach Rich Russo said Combs’ jump from freshman year to sophomore year was dramatic. As a freshman, she was athletic and talented but still learning the sport. By this spring, Russo said, she had grown into one of the Patriots’ most important players.
“She became one of our top players this year,” Russo told Patch.
Combs started both ways for Ward Melville, playing wide receiver on offense and safety on defense. She earned All-League honors, scored about five touchdowns and had four interceptions, Russo said.
The original hope for coaches was that Combs could contribute more offensively this season, but her role quickly grew.
“She ended up starting, was one of three kids playing both offense and defense the whole season, and she was a real force on both sides of the ball,” Russo said. “She played like she was much older.”
Her growth, Russo said, came from more than athleticism. It came from how quickly she processed the game.
“She’s tough,” Russo said. “She’s smart. She’s got great poise, and she’s very coachable.”
Combs said being a multi-sport athlete has shaped the way she approaches opportunities.
“It’s taught me to be resilient and to always work as hard as I possibly can because you never know when you’re going to get the same opportunity again, and being appreciative of every chance you get to show what you have,” Combs said.