Blue Devil Football Advances to Playoffs on Saturday

The upstart Huntington football team nearly pulled off its biggest upset in many years when it pushed heavily favored Half Hollow Hills East to its limit before bowing to the Red Hawks last Saturday at Blue Devil Stadium, 21-14.

Huntington had Hills East on the run early and kept the game close until time ran out. The two teams will meet again on Saturday at Hills East at 1 p.m. in the quarterfinal round of the Suffolk Division II playoffs. No admission fee will be charged.

Huntington amassed 302 yards of total offense with 26 rushes for 142 yards and another 160 yards passing. The Blue Devils took a 7-0 first quarter lead, but Hills East tied the game with 28 seconds remaining in the first half. The Red Hawks extended their advantage to 21-7 in the third quarter, before Huntington scored again in the final frame to make it 21-14. Robbie Campbell kicked both extra points.

Yasir Jones rushed 13 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jacob Guzik enjoyed another fine game, completing 13-of-19 passes for 160 yards and rushing 10 times for 60 yards. Guzik tossed a pair of interceptions. Tommy Kline made six receptions for 67 yards. Jordan Thorbourne had three catches for 60 yards.

Tim McDonald led Huntington’s defense with 10 solo tackles and three assists. Kline had eight solo tackles, two assists and two tackles for a loss. Tom Smith also had eight tackles and two assists. Titan Elysee deflected two passes. Sean Posillico made five tackles. Ethan Lawless had three tackles, including one for a loss.

Huntington’s overall defensive effort resulted in 38 solo tackles, five tackles for a loss, 11 assists and two pass deflections.

Head coach Ronald E. Wilson announced several game awards, presenting the Special Teams MVP Award to Justin Agyeman, Offensive MVP Awards to the offensive line and Jacob Guzik, Defensive MVP Award to Tim McDonald and Team MVP Awards to Yasir Jones and Ethan Lawless.

The loss snapped the Blue Devils’ five game winning streak. Huntington is 5-3 while Hills East finished the regular season at 7-1.