Northport Youth Football Report: Oct. 13-14

5/6 yr old Red Tigers 7 vs. Half-Hollow Hills 14

The Northport Tigers visited Half-Hollow Hills on Saturday morning for their second away game of the season. Multiple penalties against the Half-Hollow Hills defense for shooting the gap led to a shaky start for the Tiger offense. Although there were notable runs by Thomas O’Brien, Preston Carey, and William Meyer; the Tigers were scoreless in the first half. The Tiger defense was also sluggish in the first half and allowed two Half-Hollow Hills touchdowns. In the second half the Tigers came out as a different team. Anthony Lang scored on an impressive long run, but Half-Hollow Hills would have the last ball, allowing no more time for another Tiger score. On defense William Meyer was the clear MVP with 8 tackles. Anthony Lang, Thomas O’Brien, Ryan McCloskey, and Preston Carey also contributed to containing Half-Hollow Hills and preventing any further scoring in the second half. The 5/6 year old Red Tigers will be facing Half-Hollow Hills for a rematch this Friday October 19, at Veterans Field. "The Tiger Bowl" kickoff is at 7:00pm.

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 9Black Northport 20, Commack 0

The Tigers dominated Commack on Sunday from the first snap to the final whistle. The offense was led by the punishing running of Fullback Vinnie Bruno who pounded the Commack defense for two touchdowns. Halfback Rafe Carner added an outside threat with several thrilling runs including a touchdown of his own. The offense used a variety of its weapons on Sunday, including the running of Emerson Payne, Mikey Catrone and Isiah Headley, and a completed pass by Joey Gonzalez to Tristan Triolo, to go along with the usual steady play of the offense behind Center Vincent Gaddis and Quarterback Tommy Fitzgerald. The defense was swarming all day with contributions from Ethan Koenig, Andrew Blom and Gavin O'Malley to go along with excellent performances by Justin Baskam, Andrew Argyris, Ryan Wagner and Robby Kennedy. Payne and Carner helped out with an interception each. Sesaon Record 3-3

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9 yr old Red Northport 0 vs. Smithtown 12

Northport couldn’t get it together as a team on Sunday. After some early fumbles by both teams Smithtown came out strong. Some good tackles by safety Ryan Bell held them off for awhile. Smithtown managed to get around the outside for a long run for their first touchdown. A few nice pass plays by Connor Gallagher and Christian Pastore weren’t enough to get us into the end zone. Good blocking by Zach Evans and some solid playing by Jake Serreon who also had a fumble recovery. Unfortunately though, the Tigers offense stalled and never got on the board. With some hard work this week in practice we’ll fight for a better game next week. Season Record 1-3

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9yr Old Blue Tigers 6 vs. Comsewogue 13

The Tigers lost 13-6 in an early morning showdown out east versus Comsewogue. The Tigers found themselves in a 13-0 hole midway through the second quarter but managed to cut the lead to six after Luke Rizzo scampered 60 yards for the Tigers only TD of the day. With solid QB play by Gavin Teiner in the second half, the Tiger offense move the ball well behind blocking from Bettano, Dowd, Fernandez, Fiorino, Jolly and strong running from Atkinson, DeMarco, Felice and Starcke. Unfortunately the Comsewogue defense tightened up and prevented the Tigers from reaching the end zone. After letting up the second TD, the Tigers defense - led by Anton, Brustmeyer, Centamore, Locker, McElroy and Tyska - dialed up the intensity and kept Comsewogue off the score board in the second half. Andrew Tittmann excelled on both sides of the ball providing some tough runs at FB and numerous tackles from his middle LB position. The real 'play' of the game actually came before the game even started at the weigh in. When one of the Tigers who only made weight one time this season stepped on/off scale and it was announced to his teammates who were gathered around that he made it - they all cheered and clapped for their teammate as they were so excited that he'd be able to join them on the field that day. Season Record: 4-2-0

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10 yr old Black Tigers 20 vs. Sayville 8

The tigers had another great team effort in their 20-8 victory over Sayville. All 18 players brought their A-games on Sunday, and the result was the perfect example of a team win. Great job boys! Season Record 5-0 Next week @ West Islip

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10 yr old Red Tigers 12 vs. Connetquot 7

Northport beat Connetquot in a tough fought battle 12-7 on Saturday night. The Tigers showed their great team depth when starting Center Ted Kavanagh went down early in the first quarter with an injury to his right arm. Stepping up was offensive Tackle Michael Morreale taking over the Center position and back up Tackle William Cuttita stepped in to provide the Tigers running game with big running lanes all night long. The offensive line of Michael Morreale, William Cuttita, James Alden, Quinlan Finnegan and Fran Braun set the tone all game long by picking up the Connetquot blitz. The running game was successful in leading the Tigers on time consuming yard eating drives lead by Full Back’s Shane Finkelstein, Max Romano and Tail Back Ryan Parker. With Quarterback Anthony Vozza running the Tigers offense, Parker scored both Tiger touchdowns capping off great drives highlighted by tough inside running from Shane Finkelstein. The Tigers defense played hard nose football gang tackling all night long. Defensive End Tommy Sandrib, Cornerback Michael Bokina and Safety Sean D'Amaro stopped any outside runs all game long. The interior defensive line play of Stephen Wyhowanec, Anthony Canales, Dillon Brown, Larry Citrola, William Hummel, Nicholas Serra and Linebacker Joseph Sierra provided the Tigers with their best defensive performance of the year stopping the Connetquot offense until less than one minute in the game. The Tigers bounced back from their only loss of the season in fantastic fashion and have regained their winning ways. After another week of hard work and dedication from each member of the team the Tigers put on their best performance of the year. The coaches would like to thank the players for the commitment to hard work and dedication they are showing each week. Once again this week was a successful overall TEAM performance with significant contributions from every member of the TEAM. We are looking forward to building on our success and the upcoming challenge next week. Season Record: 5-1 Next Week: vs. Happaugue

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11 yr old Black Tigers 12 vs. West Islip 24

On a brisk October night Northport’s 11 year old BLACK team 2 game winning streak came to an end in a tough 24-12 loss to West Islip. The Tigers got off to a fast start when the O line of C Ronan Cooney, G Michael Chapman, G Tyler Pederson, T Sean Nelson, and T Ethan Bluver blew open a huge hole and RB Justin Gerdvil broke a couple of tackles and was off to the races for a 65 yd. TD. On West Islip’s first drive Tigers NG Nick Tabert forced a fumble that was recovered by SS AJ Ranieri. Northport O could not capitalize and West Islip would force a punt. West Islip would tie the score late in the first 1qtr. Northport O committed the first of 2 turnovers that set up the second West Islip TD. Northport’s D led by NG Nick Tabert, DT Josh Taylor, DT Tyler Pederson, DE Jeremy Gerdvil, ILB Justin Gerdvil, ILB Sal Miccio, OLB Jake Bonomi, OLB Ryan Smith, SS AJ Ranieri and FS Chris Gessner would force a turnover on downs to set up Northport O and give them a chance to tie the game. With Northport driving the first half ended Northport 6 West Islip 12. On the opening drive of the 2nd half West Islip got to the edge and went 65 yards to increase the lead to West Islip 18-6. Northport O would open the play book on a 19 play drive. QB Ben Sandt would air it out completing passes to TE Eric Ford for 15 yards and TE Justin Schmeiser for 6 yards that set up RB Sal Miccio's 2 yard TD to pull Northport within 1 score. West Islip would show it was not the Tigers night and scored again to end the scoring and Northport’s winning streak. The game final score was West Islip 24 Northport 12. The Tigers are now 4-2 and look to rebound next week on the road. Season Record 4-2 Northport next week is on the road vs. Three Village

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11 Year Old Red Tigers 25 vs. Bayport 12

The 11 year old Red team continued its winning ways this weekend in a 25 – 12 defeat of The Bayport Phantoms to remain undefeated on the season. The Tigers lost the toss and saw a motivated Bayport team drive the length of the field on the opening possession. The extra point failed and for the first time this season, the Tigers were playing from behind. However, that did not last long, when on the first play from scrimmage, QB Will Chisholm took the shotgun snap from Brian Hillman, pitched to Fullback Ian Melamerson, who launched a 35 yard “Melamerbomb” to his Brother Daniel Melamerson who caught the pass on the run and sprinted to the end zone for the 65 yard scoring play. Matt Picciano broke two tackles to punch the very important extra point in to take the 7-6 lead. As the second quarter began the Tigers again found themselves on their defensive heels. Then, Tanner Lindvall stepped in front of the Phantom receiver to make a crucial interception that completely turned the tide of the game. Northport again went to work behind the up front blocking of Dan Melamerson, Joe Bilello, Sterling Thompson, Matt Picciano, Aidan Ryan, Grady O’Neill, Alex Pica and Ryan Gillam. Ian Melamerson again broke free for a sweep down the left side to take the 13 – 6 lead. It was time for the Northport Defense to step up, and step up they did. A crushing text book tackle by Matt Fuggini inspired the Tigers to raise their level of play. Interceptions by Liam Caulfield and Patrick Denunzio kept the Bayport squad at bay all day long. Great runs by Fuggini, Caulfield put the ball on the Phantom 35 yard line. Ian Melamerson again went to work as he shed tacklers and busted a blast up the middle for his second rushing TD of the game. The half ended with the score at 19-6. Northport started the second half on Offense. The drive was halted despite a shifty run by QB Will Loeber on a 3rd and 15. The Phantoms then took over on downs and were able to punch their second score of the game in. The attempted field goal was blocked by Ian Melamerson. The Tigers were pushed back to their own 5 yard line after a suspect holding call. But that did not prevent Ian Melamerson from taking the sweep wide right on a 3rd and 20 to outrun the competition for the 95 yard scoring play. The game ended with a defensive stand highlighted by plays from Chris Mignanelli, Mike Mihalin, and Dan Kearns and was capped off by the INT by Patrick Denunzio that secured the 25 – 12 victory. Come out next Sunday as the tigers continue their road show as they travel to Bayshore to showcase the greatest show on turf and attempt to remain undefeated in week 7. Season Record: 4-0-2 Next Game: Bay Shore away on Sunday time TBD