Rookie Coaches Bring New Team Immediate Success
New Blue Devil coaches Jimmy Creighton and Stef Sair helped pave the way for a successful season for the new seventh grade football team at J. Taylor Finley Middle School as the Falcons finished the fall campaign with a 4-2 mark.
Creighton and Sair, who both starred at Huntington High School during their respective scholastic careers, proved they have what it takes to make the transition from athlete to coach. The 30-player strong Finley squad was captained by James Byrnes, Josh Long and John Mallouk and featured some very talented players.
The highlight of the season was a victory over West Babylon on the high school’s new synthetic turf field. “It was a good experience for the players to get the opportunity to play on the high school field and to get the win makes it that much more special,” Creighton said. “We had two consecutive defensive stands that helped us keep a 7-0 lead in the last quarter.” Finley capped off the game with a 45-yard touchdown by Troy Greene.
Creighton said all three captains were fine leaders and skilled players, from Long’s athleticism and strong tackling ability to Mallouk developing into the team’s “go-to-guy on offense” and Byrnes’ knack for opening up holes with his blocking.
“It was a team with a tremendous amount of heart,” Creighton said. The Falcons lost two of their first three games before winning the final three contests. “That showed how much growth had taken place through the course of the year,” the coach said.
Rob Fiato, an elusive and powerful running back, led Finley with four touchdowns on the ground. “He has good size and athletic ability and is a big play guy,” Creighton said. The team also sported several promising quarterbacks, receivers, running backs and defensive players.
“They are a good group of athletes who have the potential to be great football players with hard work,” Creighton said. “If this group stays together, the Huntington football program has a bright future.”
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