Game Over but Huntington 103 Already on the Horizon

Ron Wilson’s phone rang early Sunday morning. He was still a little groggy, just waking up. It was barely 12 hours since the Huntington High School football team dropped a county semifinal playoff round game to defending Suffolk champion Half Hollow Hills East, 49-21 on a sunny, but chilly day in Dix Hills.

The purpose of the call was to discuss Huntington 103 as insiders refer to the 103rd season of the Blue Devil varsity football program, which will officially commence in August 2026.

Huntington athletic department officials like to hold meetings immediately following the end of a season and talk about what changes need to be made to improve the team and the overall program.

So it was on Sunday morning when everything from the coaching staff, returning players on all three levels, parents, alumni, district commitment to the program and even the uniform pants and the game day headphones the coaches utilize was discussed.

Suffice it to say that Huntington UFSD is striving to win. Saturday’s game was attended by Superintendent Beth McCoy, Deputy Superintendent Christopher Hender, Assistant Superintendents Brenden Cusack and Dr. Rubie Harris, high school Principal Rochelle C. Brown and Assistant Principals Gamal Smith and Patricia Avelli and numerous Huntington School Board members.

Hundreds of Huntington fans packed the visiting side of the field and alumni dating back seven decades were seen in the crowd. Players and coaches could feel the support of the entire school and community and came to understand again just how special it is to win a Blue Devil uniform. It’s something they will never forget.

Blue Devil coaches attended a youth football championship game on Sunday to watch some of the young players making their way through the Blue Devil pipeline.

Huntington went 7-3 this fall, including notching the Blue Devils’ first playoff win in more than a decade. The program will be regrouping over the next few weeks. A team awards dinner is planned for January. It will include players on the varsity, JV and Finley Middle School teams. Parents and family members will be invited.

Next year’s seeds should be known in the spring. Once they are determined, schedules will follow the next day.