Huntington 100 Kicks-off on Friday at West Islip

A big crowd is expected on Friday night at West Islip’s Alumni Field as the Huntington High School football team kicks-off its 100th anniversary season when it takes on the highly regarded Lions at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

The Blue Devils have enjoyed a great pre-season, including five days and four nights at the Fresh Air Fund’s Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill for a camp conducted by eight Huntington football coaches and a scrimmage last Friday afternoon against Commack and Walt Whitman.

The Blue Devils are led by head coach Ronald Wilson and assistant coaches Antoine Swain, Dareus Smith, Kevin Graham, James C. Byrnes and James G. Byrnes Jr. Malcolm Eugene is the team’s strength coach and a volunteer assistant. Kevin Zaharious is the game day sideline supervisor. Finley coach Kevin Thorbourne has also been assisting the varsity squad, including participating in the upstate camp.

Huntington’s top players include seniors Christian St. John (RB/LB), who tallied 423 yards on 58 carries, five touchdowns, 37 tackles and four quarterback sacks last fall and David Dorilus Dax (RB/DB), who had 268 yards on 24 carries, two touchdowns and 11 tackles before being sidelined with an injury.

Seniors John Genova (OL/DL) and Carmine Carusone (OL/DL) will also be two-way mainstays. Genova had 18 tackles and Carusone had 13 tackles and two quarterback sacks last year as juniors.

Senior Joey Zink (QB/WR/DB) is expected to play a key role on the team. Last year he had four receptions and a touchdown along with 11 tackles and two interceptions.

Junior Timothy McDonald (RB/LB) returns after a sophomore season that saw him rush for 301 yards on 34 carries and score four touchdowns. He added 23 tackles and a pair of QB sacks.

Junior Thomas Smith (RB/LB) has grown to 6’1, 185 lbs. and is “very physical and fast,” Wilson said. Sophomore Ethan Lawless (RB/LB), who won the Section XI freshman shot put and discus titles last year is “big, strong and committed to being great,” the coach said.

Jacob Gruzik is a 5’10, 160 lb. sophomore quarterback. “He has a strong arm with good accuracy and he’s elusive,” Wilson said.

The squad has been dubbed Huntington 100 in a nod toward the 100th anniversary season. Wilson and his staff is pleased with the turnout of about 80 players and the effort they have put in throughout summer weight training and conditioning sessions and official practices since August 21.

The 100th anniversary season will include two night games played at Blue Devil Stadium in September. Both contests will kick-off at 6 p.m. with 20 sets of portable lights situated on the track and along walkways and the bleachers keeping the field and adjoining area well lit until play is complete.

Huntington will play its first home night football game in 84 seasons on Thursday, September 14 against visiting West Babylon. The Blue Devils will host Smithtown East on Friday, September 29.

Caruson, Genova, Dax and Smith are the team’s captains. Steve Henry is the film coordinator. Kelly Hatzmann is Huntington’s athletic trainer.

Interesting in supporting Huntington 100? Send Wilson a message at rwilson@hufsd.edu.