Blue Devil JV Wins First Game
Four weeks of frustration are but a memory for the Huntington High School junior varsity football team, as the Blue Devils topped visiting Rocky Point, 27-9 to claim their first victory of the season in five tries.
Huntington's ground game carried the day, gobbling up 358 yards and reaching the end zone four times. Sophomore Troy Greene rushed 28 times for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Jacob Watkins ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Momentum in the game shifted several times in the first half before the Blue Devils gained full control on the wings of a relentless rushing attack and aggressive defense.
The game started 10 minutes earlier than scheduled and the kickoff was greeted by a small crowd, which steadily grew in size until it reached more than 300. Fans included Superintendent James W. Polansky, Principal Dr. Carmela Leonardi and Assistant Principal Angelo Noce and Woodhull Assistant Principal Jarrett Stein, among others.
Huntington's defense kept the team competitive until its ground game kicked in. The Blue Devils recorded 33 solo tackles, seven assists and seven tackles for a loss.
"It took some time to get our offense untracked," said Ron Wilson, who coaches the Blue Devils along with Todd Jamison. "The defense really kept us in the game. The kids did a great job and were hitting hard."
Greene compiled 10 solo tackles and two assists. Watkins had eight solo tackles, one assistant and an interception. Sophomore Christian Gonzalez contributed six tackles, including five for a loss and assisted on another.
Freshman Dylan Stieve turned in a fine game, too, with a tackle for a loss, two assists, two batted down passes, an interception and a tackle on a kick. Sophomore Ryan Iwinicki had an interception, two solo tackles and an assist. In all, 16 Blue Devils recorded tackles in the game.
"Our players felt great," Wilson said. "They really loved it after four weeks of frustration."
Blue Devil First Downs: Sophomore Raekwon Anderson contributed four solo tackles, one sack and one assist . . . Troy Greene was named the game's MVP by Huntington's coaches . . . The offensive line unit walked away with the Offensive MVP Award . . . Christian Gonzalez was the defensive MVP and Justin Sandoval was the special teams MVP.