The Huntington football team came out of last Saturday afternoon’s loss to Northport banged up, but more determined than ever. The Blue Devil are regrouping while simultaneously prepping to take on Smithtown West this Saturday at 5 p.m.
Huntington head coach Steve Muller. (Darin Reed photo.)
Huntington dropped a 21-0 verdict to undefeated Northport last weekend. The Blue Devils were outplayed, but they also didn’t help themselves by committing several turnovers and sustaining numerous penalties. Add to that some injuries and the team struggled against a talented Tiger squad before a standing room only crowd on Northport’s homecoming day.
“Football is a game that doesn’t allow you to dwell very long on the past,” Huntington head coach Steve Muller said. “There is another game every week and a team has to get ready for it. We don’t have the luxury of thinking too much about what has already taken place. We have to get ready for what’s still to come and we will be ready, that’s for sure.”
Huntington expects to take the field against a fired up Smithtown West team, which will also be playing in front of a homecoming day crowd. The game will be challenging for many reasons, including that it will begin during daylight and continue into the evening hours under the lights.
“We plan on getting some practice time in under our portable lights on the turf field,” Muller said. “This is a big game; every game is a big game, and we want to make sure that we are as prepared as we possibly can be.”
While Huntington is currently 1-2, the Blue Devils believe they have a good team that is playoff worthy. They still have to prove that by winning games, but the squad is upbeat.
Smithtown West (1-2) is coming off a 41-7 loss to West Islip, which nipped Huntington in the season opener, 14-13. The Bulls lost to Connetquot in the first week, 21-14 before topping Centereach in a high scoring affair, 51-34.
Following the game at Smithtown West, Huntington will have four more regular season games remaining. The Blue Devils will host West Babylon on October 9 and then travel to Centereach for a Friday night game on October 15. Huntington is at Copiague for another night game on Friday, October 22 before facing Lindenhurst at Blue Devil Stadium on Saturday, October 30.
“We need to work on some things and get healthy,” Muller said. “I’m proud of this team and I feel as if every player is going hard for us and their teammates. That’s all any coach can ask for.”
