Huntington Falls to Sayville, 34-21
The Blue Devils aren't hanging their heads after the Huntington football team dropped the season opener to Suffolk power Sayville, 34-21. It was a tough game played out on a picture-perfect afternoon.
Huntington took a 7-0 lead when senior Calvin Bollar sprinted 22 yards early in the first quarter and sophomore placekicker Mark Curley booted the extra point. The sequence was set in motion when junior Jared Thorbourne intercepted an errant Sayville pass.
Despite generally moving the ball well, the Blue Devil defense struggled to contain Sayville's air game and paid a heavy price. Head coach Steve Muller ordered a variety of adjustments throughout the contest. However, a handful of mistakes and mishaps proved costly.
Trailing 7-6 after eight minutes of play, the Golden Flashes exploded for 22 second quarter points to take a 28-15 lead at halftime. Sayville extended its lead to 34-15 after three quarters.
The game, played before a near capacity crowd in Sayville, featured the return of Huntington signal caller Dan Plant. The junior missed the entire season last fall due to injury. Against the Golden Flashes, Plant threw a pair of touchdown passes to tight end Ryan Mulligan, including a 15-yard second quarter toss and another for 60-yards in the final frame.
Huntington will look to gain its first victory this Thursday when the Blue Devils travel to Division III foe Harborfields. The kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
"It will be a short practice week, but we'll work hard and go over some things that cost us against Sayville," Muller said. "We want to get better every week."