Huntington’s 100th Football Season Gets Underway

The Huntington High School football program officially begins its 100th season on Monday morning. The Blue Devils took their annual physicals on Thursday morning. Coaches were on hand making final preparations for what they expect will be a great year.

Ron Wilson is the varsity team’s new head coach. It’s his 23rd season with the program. He will be assisted by Antoine Swain, Darus Smith, Kevin Graham and volunteer assistant Malcolm Eugene. James C. Byrnes and James G. Byrnes Jr. will coach the junior varsity team. Kevin Thorbourne, who is officially one of the Finley Middle School assistant coaches, will also assist at the high school level.

“We are working together to get our playmakers on the field and in the right positions to make plays,” Wilson said. If Thursday morning’s turnout of players is any indication the varsity and JV roster sizes will be the largest in many years.

Huntington will be led by 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 both be big factors. Genova had 18 tackles and Carusone had 13 tackles and two quarterback sacks last year as juniors.

Senior Joey Zink (QB/WR/DB) will fill a variety of roles. 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.

Huntington 100, as the team is being called, is expected to surprise many opponents this fall. The Blue Devils will also host two night games for the first time in more than 80 years.

October 6, 1939. It’s been that long. Huntington topped Patchogue in a Friday night game played before a standing room only crowd of 2,200 at Heckscher Park. The Blue Devils haven’t hosted another night game since. It’s been 84 years, but that long streak will end soon.

The100th anniversary season of the Huntington football team 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. A private donor is funding the lights through the Huntington Booster Club.

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.

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