Huntington’s Homecoming Weekend Ends in Dramatic 35-34 Victory Over Newfield

Blue Devils rally from a 14-point halftime deficit as a weekend celebrating school spirit, mentorship and community pride culminates in a thrilling victory.

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. From the glow of Thursday night’s bonfire to the emotion of Friday’s indoor pep rally, Huntington’s 103rd Homecoming weekend was a celebration of school spirit, gratitude and the relationships that make a school community special. On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Devils gave that celebration a fitting finish.

Huntington rallied from a 28-14 halftime deficit to defeat Newfield, 35-34, in a dramatic Suffolk County Division II football matchup, improving to 3-3 on the season. The victory was the exclamation point on a memorable weekend that brought students, athletes, teachers/staff, families and alumni together to celebrate what it means to be part of Huntington. One of the most meaningful moments came during Friday’s indoor pep rally, when student-athletes took a group photo with teachers who had worn their away jerseys the entire day. The gesture recognized the educators and staff members whose encouragement, guidance and belief in students extend far beyond the classroom. For head coach Ron Wilson, the weekend represented the connection between athletics and the broader mission of education.

“Homecoming is about so much more than football. It’s about pride in your school, appreciating the people who invest in you and understanding that success is built on relationships,” Wilson said. “Seeing our student-athletes recognize the teachers and other support staff members who have made a difference in their lives was incredibly special. Then to watch these young men battle back from a 14-point halftime deficit and finish the weekend with a win made it even more memorable. I’m proud of their resilience, their effort and the way they represented Huntington.”

The football team certainly had to earn its Homecoming celebration. Newfield jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and added another 14 points in the second quarter. Huntington responded with two touchdowns of its own before halftime, trimming the deficit to 28-14 and keeping the Blue Devils within reach.

The momentum shifted after the break. Huntington’s defense shut out Newfield in the third quarter while the offense added six points to make it a 28-20 with Huntington failing on the kick. Early in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines scored on 4th and goal to stretch their lead to 34-20. Two-point conversion failed. At the center of the comeback was Shates Miller, who delivered a remarkable performance on offense and defense. Miller rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, completed 10 of 15 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, and intercepted two passes defensively.

“Miller’s versatility and leadership helped power the Blue Devils through a game that demanded composure and belief, said Coach Wilson.” “We knew we had to respond after the first half. Nobody on this team wanted to give up, and we knew we had the ability to come back if we stayed together and kept executing,” Miller said. “This was Homecoming, and we wanted to give our school and our community something to be proud of. Everybody kept fighting, and we found a way to finish.”

Miller’s passing attack found a reliable target in Spencer Sturges, who caught six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Michaelson added two receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Pat Hassett contributed a 49-yard reception. Alex Castro also made his mark offensively, rushing for 33 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and contributing a two-point conversion.

Defensively, Huntington’s second-half turnaround was just as important as its offensive surge. Alex Castro recorded 10 tackles, including three for loss, while Edgar Castro also finished with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Ryan Waters added six tackles, including one for loss, and Ricardo Berry recorded three tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack. Colby Curran added another sack as Huntington finished with three quarterback sacks and two batted passes.

Edgar Castro’s contributions carried special significance throughout the weekend. In addition to his strong defensive performance, Castro was crowned Huntington’s Homecoming King, making the celebration especially memorable. For E. Castro, the combination of representing his school on the field and being recognized by his peers as Homecoming King highlighted the importance of enjoying every part of the high school experience. “Being named Homecoming King was an incredible honor, especially because it represents the people and community I get to be part of every day,” E. Castro said. “But being able to celebrate with my teammates and come away with a win made the weekend even better. We fought through adversity, stayed together and never stopped believing we could get it done.”

The Blue Devils also received a strong special-teams performance from Campbell, who recorded punts of 57 and 21 yards and two touchbacks. The offensive line earned recognition for its downfield blocking, while Edgar Castro, Mazure and Alex Castro were praised for their powerful blocks. Joshua Roman was recognized for his physical play.

Miller earned Team MVP honors, while D. Michaelson was named Offensive MVP. Waters and McNulty shared Defensive MVP recognition, and Campbell earned Special Teams MVP.

Ultimately, the significance of Huntington’s Homecoming weekend extended well beyond the final score. The Thursday bonfire brought the community together, Friday’s jersey presentation honored the teachers who help shape students’ lives, and Saturday’s comeback victory showcased the determination and unity of the Blue Devils. The weekend served as a reminder that behind every athlete is a network of teachers, coaches, teammates, families and supporters who help make success possible.

Huntington now turns its attention to its next challenge, a road matchup against Northport on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. Northport enters the contest with a 5-1 record after defeating Bellport, 31-0.

After a weekend defined by gratitude, school pride and a dramatic comeback, the Blue Devils will look to carry that same unity and determination into the final stretch of their season.