Offense Unstoppable as Blue Devils Top Comsewogue, 47-21
It was a must-win game and the Blue Devil football team did just that, toppling Comsewogue last Saturday night behind an offensive explosion, 47-21. The victory helped keep Huntington’s playoff hopes alive.
Huntington hosts rugged Rocky Point this Saturday (Oct. 27) at 2 p.m. The Blue Devils need another victory. Admission is free to the game and a large crowd is expected.
Against the Warriors, senior fullback Eric Santos ran 60 yards for a touchdown on Huntington’s first play from scrimmage to give the Blue Devils an early lead on a relatively balmy night. But, while the offense clicked early, the defensive unit suffered through several breakdowns and had difficulty stopping Comsewogue (2-4), which at times moved the ball almost at will.
“We were a little slow to get going on defense and had to make a few adjustments,” Huntington head coach Steve Muller said. “We are continuing to look for more consistency on both on both offense and defense.”
On this night, the Blue Devils had few problems on offense. With the scored knotted 7-7 in the first quarter, Santos darted through the line for his second touchdown, this time covering 34 yards, to put Huntington (4-2) ahead for good.
After Chris Sandoval booted the extra point to extend the lead to 14-7, it was clear the Blue Devils were going to put plenty of points on the scoreboard, delighting a small group of Huntington fans that traveled to Port Jefferson Station to watch the game.
One of the most exciting plays of the night came when Blue Devil quarterback Quillian Respass lofted a tight arcing spiral toward the end zone and Walter Stephens came down with the ball for a 34 yard touchdown reception despite being double-teamed. The catch, coupled with another Sandoval extra point, gave Huntington a 21-7 halftime lead.
The second half saw more of the same offensive firepower as Respass (five carries for 82 yards) scored twice on runs of 34 and 13 yards while Santos added his third touchdown of the game, plowing three yards into the end zone. Sophomore Leon Barnett capped off the explosion when he raced 23 yards for the final score of the night.
Senior Dashaun Thomas, who didn’t score but proved to be a workhorse out of the Huntington backfield, ran for 82 yards on a dozen carries. “Dashaun helped us move the ball well and set up some big plays for his teammates,” Muller said.
It was a game to remember for Santos, who has been a big part of the program throughout his high school career. He ran for 202 yards on 17 carries and was unstoppable at times.
“It was a good night for us and a good game for a lot of players, but as a team, we still have much more work to do,” Muller said.
Blue Devil Notes: Huntington is in fifth place in 12-team Suffolk Division III, trailing Islip, Half Hollow Hills West, Rocky Point and Sayville . . . Sandoval hit on five-of-seven extra point attempts.
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