Bollar Unstoppable in Final Frame to Lift Blue Devils
With the Huntington football team just minutes away from suffering a devastating upset at the hands of winless Comsewogue, sophomore Calvin Bollar went into high gear to help the Blue Devils score 19 unanswered points and pull through with a 22-13 victory.
“We're back on track,” head coach Ron Wilson said. Bollar had the game of his life, rushing 19 times for 224 yards and two fourth quarter touchdowns and completing 8-of-12 passes for 64 yards. Huntington needed Bollar’s big finish since the team’s offense was stuck in neutral for much of the game.
Trailing 13-3, senior Brian Ruggiero scored on a two-yard run before Bollar reached the end zone on runs of 40 and 48 yards, respectively. “He's an unbelievable athlete,” Wilson said. “We put a lot of stock in him this week and it paid big dividends.”
Ruggiero, who has been Huntington’s quarterback for most of the season, was needed at fullback during the first half, so Bollar took over the signal calling. But, Huntington struggled to move the ball after an initial drive that led to a 25-yard field goal by junior Chris Sandoval.
The transition from quarterback to fullback went smoothly for Ruggiero, who caught three passes for 33 yards and carried the ball three times for another 26 yards. “He did an awesome job,” Wilson said. “He's surely a team player. As a matter of fact, I've come to respect and admire him for his unselfish ways. Sometimes kids get upset when they have to come out of their comfort zone and play another position, but not Brian Ruggiero. He told us ‘don't hold back. Let Calvin run the show on offense if it’s going to help the team.’ However, even though he wasn't QB, he was still running the offense telling his teammates what to do and where to line up. His nickname that assistant coach Joe Poller gave him is the ‘General’ because he runs the defense, as well.
Brian Smith, who ran for 82 yards on six carries in the second half, also helped the Blue Devils turn the tide. “He was hard to bring down once the ball got in his hands,” Wilson said. “He's a great running back that runs very hard. I think he now knows just how important he is on this team and how important it is for him to make every practice.”
The Warriors, who entered the game with a 0-5 mark, seemed to be gathering steam, as they built a commanding 10-point lead while Huntington kept spinning its wheels.
“This was surely no easy win,” Wilson said. “Comsewogue lives by its name. They are great warriors.” They have a well-respected coaching staff that teaches their kids to fight to the end. And they did just that. They're big and beefy and it was hard for our defense to bring down their fullback who outweighed my biggest linemen. However, our team did not break this week. We teach them to bend, but don't break.”
The Blue Devils badly needed to win the game after dropping a heartbreaking contest a week earlier at Deer Park, 19-14. The victory evened Huntington’s record at 3-3. The team will travel to Westhampton Beach this Friday (Oct. 24) for a 7 p.m. game.
“The team has been worried about post-season play,” Wilson acknowledged. “We now know what we have to do and that is to win! Whatever happens after that happens.”
Huntington expects a tough battle with the Hurricanes, who are 2-4 after six games. “We are both fighting a fight,” Wilson said. “Yes, we've battled and lost a few that we probably shouldn't have lost, but it happens. We're going to continue to work together and keep the faith. We know that nothing worthwhile comes easy. We're up for the challenge!”
Blue Devils Notes: Junior Tom Grossman hauled in five passes for 32 yards and two first downs . . . Chris Sandoval continues to excel in field goal attempts and has scored 18 points for the team this fall . . . Luis Lopez intercepted a pass and Joe Brown recorded a sack . . . Huntington closes the regular season by hosting Miller Place at home on Sat. Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.
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