Northport Football Beats CI, 22-8

The Northport football team completed an improbable run toward the playoffs with a 22-8 with a victory over Central Islip in a Suffolk Division I game at Tigers Stadium Saturday.

Northport (4-4) was led on offense by Jesse Ferraro and John Lauraine a one-yard touchdown plunge and an absolutely beautiful rainbow fade to Jack Delahunty who made a spectacular catch between two CI defenders.

But the real story of this football game was the Tigers defense. It was led by Lucas Vallas with ten tackles; Jack Delahunty with two interceptions, and a forced turnover on downs with five minutes to go in the third quarter.  

Northport went on a 95-yard drive led by Ferraro and the offensive line to ice the game. CI fell to 3-5.

Heroes:  Jesse Ferraro ran for 150 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, including a six-yard run in the fourth quarter for the final score of the game. Free safety Jack Delahunty had two interceptions. Ferraro scored on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter. Quarterback John Laurine's 1-yard touchdown plunge early in the fourth quarter gave the Tigers a 16-8 lead.

Turning Point: Northport's Jack Delahunty caught a 32-yard pass to score in the first quarter. Northport kept the lead throughout the game.

Quotable: "This is a football team that's played with its back against the wall longer than any team  in recent memory. The character of our kids has shown through," Northport coach Kip Lukralle said. "And we've gotten ooff the deck and we're alive and we're looking forward to a second matchup with Connetquot. "

Bottom Line: The Tigers are alive and well and await an incredible opportunity against Connetquot, a team they lost to earlier in the season.

Key Stat: Northport, 1-3 after four games, is now 4-4 after eight.

Who's Next? Northport @ Connetquot, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Suffolk Division I Football

Teams.....................1.....2.....3.....4 -- F

Northport...............6.....0.....3...13 -- 22

Central Islip............0.....8.....0.....0 -- 8