Huntington Topples No. 1 Islip, 14-7
In one of the most exciting games played at Blue Devil Stadium in many years, the Huntington football team toppled previously undefeated Islip, 14-7 in a contest that went down to the wire.
The victory was sealed when junior defensive back Jared Thorbourne intercepted an Islip pass on the seven yard line as the Buccaneers were in the midst of a final drive with less than a minute remaining in the game. Huntington then ran out the clock before players and coaches mobbed each other and celebrated across the field.
The Bucaneers entered play in first place in Suffolk Division III with a perfect 7-0 mark. But, Huntington just shrugged off the record and went out and played its best game of the season. "Our guys really stepped up and proved something to themselves," head coach Steve Muller said. "Islip is a tough, well-coached team. This is a great win for us."
The Blue Devils (6-2) didn't give an inch all afternoon and repeatedly bounced back from penalties and turnovers to hand Islip a stunning upset, much to the delight of the loud crowd.
After a scoreless first quarter, Islip (7-1) reached the end zone first in the hard-hitting game and the Buccaneers carried a 7-0 lead into halftime. When play resumed, Huntington was all business.
In the third quarter, junior quarterback Dan Plant (6-for-10, 63 yards) found junior Tyre Brown (3 receptions for 45 yards) open for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Senior fullback Calvin Bollar (22 carries for 142 yards) followed a short while later with a three yard touchdown run to cap off an exciting drive. Senior placekicker Matt Curley flawlessly converted both extra points to give the Blue Devils a 14-7 advantage and all they would need on a crisp, sunny afternoon.
Huntington's defense played an outstanding game against Islip's high-powered offense. The Blue Devils were relentless in pursuit of any Buccaneer player with the ball. Trayvon Toney, who had 15 tackles, Dante Allen (seven tackles) and C.J. Herrington each picked up one sack. Devon Nelson recovered a key fumble.
Entering the game, Islip had outscored its opponents in seven games, 177-59. "Our defense has a lot of pride," Muller said. "It's great to see kids rise to the occasion and meet a challenge head-on."
Huntington will host Harborfields (5-3) in a first round playoff game this coming Saturday (Nov. 6) at Blue Devil Stadium at 2 p.m. Admission is free. The Blue Devils defeated the Tornadoes during the second week of the regular season, 35-0.
Blue Devil Notes: Ryan Mulligan had two receptions for eight yards . . . Trayvon Toney rushed nine times for 41 yards . . . Thomas Mulligan caught one pass for 10 yards . . . James Taylor had three carries for 11 yards . . . Devon Nelson rushed one time for two yards . . . The Huntington Highsteppers competitive dance team performed at halftime and earned a loud ovation . . . The Huntington Booster Club sold dozens of cups of hot chocolate over the course of the cool afternoon . . . Former Huntington physical education teacher and football coach Pete Sansiviero was at the game.