Blue Devils Topple ESM, 34-7
The Huntington High School football team played a classic game last Saturday afternoon, blocking, tackling, running and passing its way past visiting Eastport-South Manor, 34-7 before a crowd of about 750 at Blue Devil Stadium.
The victory improved Huntington's record to 3-0 in Suffolk Division III heading into next Saturday's 2 p.m. Homecoming Day showdown with Amityville (2-1). The Warriors turned back host Islip after a wild overtime last Friday night, 28-27. The extra frame saw the two teams combine to score 31 points.
Against ESM, Huntington grabbed an early lead with a power running game and timely passing. While there were some missed blocks and tackles and a handful of blown assignments, the Blue Devils did plenty of things right en route to a 21-0 halftime advantage.
"We can best be described as a work in progress," Huntington head coach Steve Muller said. "We have a lot of new people on the field and they are still learning. Overall, it was a very good afternoon. Our kids gave us a great effort out there."
Huntington's early points came on a three-yard touchdown run by Troy Greene, a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Kocis to Tyler Greenhill and a one yard plunge by fullback Anthony Puca. Placekicker Patrick Reilly successfully converted all three extra points and the Blue Devils were on their way to establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the division. Huntington extended its lead to 34-7 after three quarters.
Kocis connected on six-of-nine passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, the second coming on a beautiful 50-yard scoring pass to Josh Long in the third quarter. Devon Nelson (11 carries for 88 yards and one reception for 22 yards) notched the final Blue Devil points with a 12-yard touchdown run.
Nelson had one of the best defensive games of his career, going sideline-to-sideline from his linebacker position to record 10 solo tackles and one assist. "Devon was definitely a workhorse on both sides of the ball," Muller said. "There were some hard hits on the field today and he was right in the middle of most of them."
Huntington also received stellar defensive play from John Mallouk (seven solo tackles, including three for a loss and one quarterback sack). Levar Butts came up big again with six solo tackles, three tackles for a loss and two assists. "People are stepping up and getting the job done," Muller said. "It's great to see players hustling and helping each other out."
Kocis has been effective in his first year as the team's starting quarterback. He found Greenhill three times for 58 yards on Saturday and also connected with Christian Jamison on a 10-yard completion. "Ben is really growing in the position," Muller said.
Nelson and Greene (nine carries for 56 yards) have formed a powerful backfield combination that gives the Huntington coaching staff a variety of options. Puca (eight carries for 40 yards) is a third hardnosed back that can pound his way to yardage when the team needs it most.
The Blue Devils will have plenty of incentive this weekend against Amityville as the Blue Devils look to keep winning before what is expected to be the biggest crowd of the season.
Blue Devil Notes: John Cimetta recorded a sack . . . Josh Long recovered a fumble . . . Reilly put the ball through the uprights on four-of-five extra point attempts . . . Davonte Evan rushed once for 12 yards . . . Levar Butts carried one time for three yards . . . Huntington, Sayville and Kings Park are the only teams to have 3-0 records in Suffolk Division III.