The Huntington football team saved its best for last, topping visiting Copiague on the final day of the regular season, 42-0 as the Blue Devils celebrated Senior Day before a loud crowd of parents, family members and friends.
Huntington did few things wrong as it executed plays to near perfection and started scoring early in the game, much to the delight of fans.
Christian St. John enjoyed the finest game of his career, running for 155 yards on 15 carries and scoring three touchdowns. Michael Kline rushed 12 times for 119 yards and a touchdown. David Dje Bi Baleborzan covered 89 yards on nine carries and scored a pair of touchdowns. Joe Algieri led the defense with a pair of quarterback sacks and eight tackles.
David Dje Bi Baleborzan gathers momentum.
Both prior to and after the game the team’s 18 “spectacular seniors, who have given their all to Huntington year after year,” were recognized.
Huntington’s seniors include No. 3 Christopher Acompora-Miller; No. 4 Aidan Carrello; No. 5 Hope Bilkey; No. 8 John Acompora-Miller; No. 11 Anthony Annunziata; No. 13 Ryan Centeno; No. 15 Peter Breingan; No. 17 Agostino Abbatiello; No. 19 Michael Kline; No. 51 Sammy Mac Arner; No. 55 Zachary Zboray; No. 56 Joseph Algieri; No. 64 Vito Aloe; No. 65 Sergemio Cerome; No. 69 Isaiah Thomas; No. 71 Silvio Torres; No. 72 Dawin Preval and No. 76 Dominick Vidota.
“We thank our 18 seniors for representing us so well over the years and for upholding our Blue Devil ideals of sportsmanship, hard work and fair play and we wish them all the best as they move on with their lives,” said public address system announcer Michael Feldstein. “They will always have a home here at Huntington High School. We also thank their parents for all of their support and encouragement over the years, including participating in Friday night team dinners.”
Individual banners were each player’s name and number along with posters crammed with photos of players were all affixed to the stadium’s grandstand façade. Blue and white balloons and glittering streamers added to the festive atmosphere.
Prior to the start of the second half, seniors Anthony Annuniziata and Agostino Abbatiello presented their respective mothers, Tiffany and Andrea with bouquets of flowers on the sidelines as the parents were called to the field to cheers from the crowd.
Huntington scored 14 first quarter points and led 21-0 at halftime. The advantage was extended to 28-0 by the end of three quarters. Placekicker Peter Breingan successfully controverted all five extra points.
St. John’s three touchdowns covered 29, seven and 71 yards. A fourth touchdown was called back by penalties.
When the game finally ended, parents came down to the field and posed for commemorative photos with the seniors, lingering on the track far after the final horn sounded.