Playoff Hopes Imperiled as Blue Devils Fall in Overtime, 14-12
Despite woeful weather conditions, the Huntington football team was able to chew up big chucks of yardage with a ferocious ground game, connect on several long passes and play aggressive defense last Saturday afternoon against Rocky Point. The Blue Devils did just about everything right except win as the Eagles came-from-behind late in the fourth quarter to tie the score and then prevail in overtime, 14-12.
The devastating loss likely ends any hope Huntington had of qualifying for the Suffolk Division III playoffs. The Blue Devils dropped to 4-3 with one game remaining this Friday night at winless Hauppauge at 7 p.m.
Huntington gained control of the game early as its defense made repeated big plays to stymie Rocky Point’s talented offense. Meanwhile Blue Devil running backs Eddie Santos and Dashaun Thomas along with quarterback Quillian Respass proved adept at moving the ball on the ground, gobbling up yardage. It was a two-yard run by Respass that put the Blue Devils on top in the first quarter, 6-0.
Dark skies frequently opened up, sometimes producing an outright deluge and sending the sparse crowd for cover, but still the game went forward and on several occasions it appeared Huntington was set to pad its lead.
When Repass fired a bullet to Sean Whitney for a 53-yard gain, many in the crowd thought the wide receiver had managed to get into the end zone, but he was ruled to have landed out of bounds inches short. On the next play, Rocky Point recovered a fumble. The turnover would eventually haunt Huntington.
Another play that put the Blue Devils’ emotions on a Yo-Yo came when Huntington lofted a high kick, raced downfield and somehow managed to pick-up the loose ball in the end zone. The official on the scene signaled a touchdown and the team and fans engaged in a short-lived celebration. Just as quickly officials gathered to review the play and overruled the touchdown call, awarding the ball to Rocky Point on the 20-yard line.
Despite the string of misfortune, Huntington still appeared headed to victory, but then the tide swung as the Eagles methodically marched down the field for a game-tying touchdown. Huntington stopped the extra-point attempt and the clock ran out before either team could break the deadlock, sending the game into overtime.
On its first possession, Rocky Point scored on a 10-yard run and then nailed the two-point conversion to grab a 14-6 lead, putting Huntington’s proverbial back against the wall. The Blue Devils responded when Repass dodged left, turned 180 degrees and sprinted right for a long gain. Two plays later Santos plunged into the end zone.
Trailing 14-12, Huntington was forced to go for the two-point conversion, but the Eagles were all over Santos as soon as he took the pitch from Respass. Somehow the senior managed to carry the defenders several yards before being dragged down on the two-yard line while the Blue Devils and their faithful stood in disbelief.
“All we can do now is play as hard as possible against Hauppauge,” Huntington coach Steve Muller said. “We’re disappointed we lost, but the kids played well. Whatever happens, we are looking to finish on a winning note.”
Blue Devil Notes: Huntington has outscored its opponents this fall, 179-144 . . . Muller’s career mark is now 81-40 in 13 years as head coach.
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