Posted by Mike Augello on November 10, 2009
I speak for everyone on my team, and most people on Long Island in saying Friday night’s loss to Bayport came as an extreme shock.
For 13 consecutive years we have attained the great honor of participating in the Suffolk County Championship game. This is the first year we will be watching from the stands.
Losing, and losing like this is tragic. Not only does it mean the end of the season, but the end of the careers of 24 seniors. No more high school football. No more black helmet. No more Babylon Hits.
Throughout this season of blogging on LI Blitz I never mentioned my individual season…
I came into the season a captain, and a pre-season All Long Island honorable mention choice by this very website. I began experiencing some pain in my leg, and it turned out to be nerve pain from a disc problem in my back. My disc was ruptured and herniated, and my season was sacrificed to the surgical knife.
It is through all the pain and suffering I felt during those months that really informed me about how important my football family is to me, and what it all really means.
Throughout the darkest period of my life, filled with pain and suffering, my teammates, my brothers, were there for me. When I was admitted to the hospital, 20 guys crammed into my hospital room. When I was upset on the sideline, my brothers made plays for me. When I needed to laugh, I again looked to them.
Looking back at my senior season, of course I will see my tragic end to a long career at BHS, and sure I will remember that we didn’t make it all the way. But I will never forget the best friends I made, and the team I was a part of.
Posted by Mike Augello on October 31, 2009
Courtesy T.Francomano
This past week, we redeemed ourselves with a 49-7 win at our homecoming against Shoreham after our overtime loss to Glenn.
We’ve earned a playoff berth, and with a win at Port Jefferson this weekend we will secure the second seed. This will assure a home playoff game week one of the playoffs, and with a win, another home game week two.
Because of the home field advantage this win will provide, it is so very important.
During playoff time each team’s record starts and 0 and 0. It doesn’t matter whether you barely snuck into the playoffs or were the top seed, you are not guaranteed any more than one game. There are no do-over’s and there are no second chances.
If you lose, you lose. You shake the other team’s hands, return to the locker room and hand your equipment in.
I know from experience that the only thing that quells the pain of handing in the pads at the end of the season is doing it with a Long Island Championship trophy in hand. Momentum.
With a big win today, the metaphorical ball will start rolling, and will eventually take out every opponent we face until we make it to Hofstra.
Posted by Mike Augello on October 20, 2009
Courtesty T.Francomano
The perfect season, and the dream of 12 and 0 is over; and for the group of seniors, something now unattainable.
After coming just short in a hard fought overtime battle against John Glenn, we have fallen to 5-1. At very few other places but Babylon would that single digit in the loss column mean so much.
The game is over and that loss will remain there forever. For the rest of the season, the meddle, and the character of our team will be tested. What do we do when faced with adversity? Do we crawl up and die? Or do we persevere, fight back and regain our spot atop Division 4?
Let’s not forget what happened in 2008. Week 6, two undefeated teams in Babylon and Glenn, an overtime victory at Babylon’s Walt Williams field. Sound familiar? The teams met again at Stony Brook and we took the Suffolk County championship, and then the LIC.
Last year’s group of panthers showed resiliency after a devastating loss. They found out the sun will indeed rise in the morning, and it will rise for the rest of the season. Half of this year’s team lived through that, and have the experience to share with the younger kids.
This week, our homecoming against Shoreham Wading river, we will answer the questions: What do we do when faced with adversity? Will we crawl up and die? Will we fight on to gain back our spot atop Division 4?
We will find out Saturday at 2.
Posted by Braico on October 15, 2009
Sorry about the lack of mid week QB updates, I’ve been hit hard with the flu over the last couple of weeks. Well its time to get back into the swing of things and move foward so without further ado here are the game sof the week:
Suffolk1
Connetquot Thunderbirds @ William Floyd Colonials - great game, the Colonials are on a roll and might have the best defense in Suffolk county. While the Thunderbirds have potent offense and lead by player of the year candidate Mike Pelligrino. Pick: Thunderbirds.
Suffolk 2
Bellport Clippers @ Riverhead Blue Waves - The Clippers and Blue Waves are both coming into this game will identical 3-2 records. They each have lost two tough games to North Babylon and East Islip. In the beginning of the year I picked Bellport to win the whole thing, but Riverhead has unleashed Malcolm Carter the last couple of weeks at running back and seem to look good. Pick: Riverhead
Suffolk 3
Sayville Golden Flashes @ Half Hollows Hills West Colts – The game of the year in Division 3 by far. Sayville has been lead by their super sophomore quarterback Stephen Ferreira all season long. Coach Hoss air show will be on full display this week. Hills West will be hungry to prove that they are the best team in Dvision 3 after falling short the last couple of years. Cruz is terrific player, maybe the best on Long Island, but this game will come down to Andrew Hodge and the Colts D. Pick: Half Hollow Hills West
Suffolk 4
Elwood-John Glenn Knights @ Babylon Panthers – The last four games between these two teams have been simply outstanding, each game decided by an average of 4 points. This fierce rivalry matchup has become one of the most anticipated on Long Island year in and year out. It’s hard to choose a team when both teams are so evenly match. Babylon is huge upfront, while the Knights have a big play running back in Austin Cohen. It will come to defense this week. Pick: Elwood-John Glenn
Nassau 1
Freeport Red Devils @ East Meadow Jets – Freeport is undefeated on the season, but hasn’t dominated everyone like they usually do. The Red Devils and running back Kevin Allen always seem to do enough to win the game. East Meadow has bounce back, after a first week lost to Uniondale, behind the running of Katz and Hinchy. Pick: Freeport
These are the top five game of the week in my mind. Give us your opinion and picks by submitting a comment below.
Posted by Mike Augello on October 10, 2009
It is unbelievable to look now, and see that half the regular season is over already.
Half-way progress report? I think we’re doing pretty well. 4-0, not many close games. That is not to say though; we don’t have room to grow. Going down the stretch, okay teams need to become good, and great teams need to become perfect.
At this point, team chemistry has developed and has become noticeable. After a slow start against Mt. Sinai last week, and leaving for halftime with the score 6-6, the team knew what it needed to do. We came out in the second half a whole new team, and finished the game 27-6.
Today against Bayport, it is imperative to start the second half of the season off with a bang, and a great performance.
You can’t win 12 games without winning five.
Posted by Braico on October 2, 2009
With week 4 just about to start lets take a look at the rushing leaders here on Long Island
Alan Henderson – ESM – 543
Dan Russo – Northport – 521
Tom DeNapoli - Lynbrook – 501
Mike Peligrino – Connequot – 492
Devon Lawrence – Sachem N – 490
Matt Wolmacher – Lynbrook – 455
Dylan Muller – Division - 447
Preshold McKoy – North Babylon – 446
Zach Losco - Hauppauge – 442
Anthony Wrightington – Island Trees – 415
Posted by Mike Augello on
(Courtesy: T. Francomano)
After our third victory, 42-13 at Greenport, we now venture to Mount Sinai week 4 to battle the Mustangs.
This week’s game is a premier meeting between two teams without a loss. It is one that people would pay to go see.
This Friday has been hyped up for weeks. The stage is clearly set: two teams, no losses. We will play on the beautiful turf at Mount Sinai High School, the lights will be shining bright, and anyone who is anyone will be there. The stage is a big stage…who will show up and perform?
Every year this week there is a different air around the team, around the school, and around the town. When anyone around town hears we’re playing Sinai, they smile. They know what kind of game it’s going to be. Kids who we would never expect to even CARE about football tell us we have to beat Sinai.
On the field will be two football teams who plain old just don’t like each other, and the game is going to be played like that.
The stage is set, and the team who comes and performs is the one who will experience the happy ending.
You can’t win 12 games without winning four.
Posted by Braico on October 1, 2009
With a quarter of the season over we can start to get a better picture of the landscape. Here are some of the top game this weekend here on the island.
Nassau County:
Elmont vs Division – Elmont looks to bounce back after losing to Garden City, while Division and Dylan Muller are out to prove they belong at the top of the standings.
Suffolk County
Babylon @ Mount Sinai – a battle of two 3-0 teams. For Babylon this will be there second away game in a row, while the Mustangs look for revenge off of last season’s 38-8 lost.
Amityville @ Elwood-John Glenn – Gavin Kretz has a been simply awesome for the Warriors this season, The Knights will need to slow him down with their dominating defense.
half Hollow Hills West vs Hauppauge – Cruz and company travel to Hauppauge where Zach Losco has lead the Eagles to a 3-0 start.
Islip vs Sayville – the best rivalry on Long Island. It doesn’t get better than this.
Any thoughts or what games this week are you going to, let us knnow.
Posted by Mike Augello on September 25, 2009
(Courtesy T.Francomano)
After a hard fought 35-8 win against Amityville on Thursday, we salvaged a rare two days off before diving headfirst into the workweek to prepare for Greenport.
This week’s game is one we need to keep on our toes for.
Greenport, who is 0-2, is coming off rough losses to Hampton Bays and Mount Sinai. (Our whole team is aware of this, [and everything else that goes on with Long Island High School football] because we like to keep track of who beat who, and by how much, and who scored, and all that, because we’re kids with not much else to do.)
Because we know this, we also know Mount Sinai has a strong group of returning players and has started the season 2-0.
Of course, people have to look ahead. Of course!
-“Ohhh, Mount Sinai, gonna be tough!”
-“You’ll both be 3-0! What a good match-up!”
This, my friends, is exactly what can’t be done. It happens all too often in all levels of the game, and it is just too dangerous to look past Greenport.
Although 0-2, they will be a very formidable opponent, and will need an increase in focus and discipline this week.
You can win 12 games without winning three.
Posted by Braico on September 24, 2009
If you plan on going out this weekend check one of these games in Suffolk County. Each one could prove pivtol.
Division 1: has two big games
William Floyd Colonials @ Brentwood High Indians – If they Indians win they become clear cut title contenders
Sachem North Flaming Arrows @ Longwood Lions – Longwood is 0-2, while North is 2-0. Longwood needs this one in the worst way.
Division 4:
Center Moriches Red Devils @ Elwood-John Glenn Knights – The Red Devils have started the season 2-0, but this week they face on of the big boys is Division 4. This will be a real test to see how far this program has come in three years.
