It was not the ending that neither I nor the coaching staff would have written for an otherwise successful season but The West Islip JV Football Lions lost to a good and undefeated Half Hollow Hills West team 28-21. I would like to point out that last season this Hills West team completely dominated West Islip and this one went down to the last possession.
After stopping the Colts on their first possession with an interception by Connor Smith, The Lions went to work. Following behind the Big Dogs, the offense began a drive down the field. Linemen Andrew Lyons, Alex Schwartz, Justin Pape, George Gambuto and Ryan Gray opened holes for sophomore running back Alex Ponce and Quarterback Connor Smith. Behind the running game, some efficient passes and the Colts mistakes the Lions were soon in the red zone. A hard run by Ponce brought the ball inside the 1 and following behind the Dogs Smith snuck over for the TD. Freshman Kevin DiCapua continued his outstanding kicking streak with the extra point and West Islip was up 7-0 but not for long. The Colts then took the ensuing kick-off back for a touchdown the extra point was missed so the Lions were still in the lead 7-6. The second quarter saw no scoring with sophomore captains Sean Burke and James McCorvey leading the defense.
West Islip received the football and on the first offensive play the ball was fumbled and the Colts recovered. Hills quickly scored and successfully converted a 2 point conversion and the score was now 14-7. After a change of possession the Colts punter shanked the kick and the Lions had excellent field position. Smith and Ponce working behind the Big Dogs had the offense moving. This time a nice pass to Drew Cestaro who keep his balance and made a nice move for the TD and DiCapua kicked the extra point and once again the score was tied 14-14. Late in the third quarter The Colts put together another drive and brought the score to 21-14 Hills West.
As the fourth quarter started Smith completed passes to sophomores Sean O'Gara and James McCorvey and freshman Kevin DiCapua and the ball was now deep in Colts territory. Smith then hit MCCorvey with a short pass and with a couple of moves McCorvey found the end zone the reliable DiCapua tied the score 21-21. Unfortunately, the defense was not quite their usual tough selves and Hills West scored again and the score was now 28-21. Now with less than 2 minutes to go the Lions began to move the ball again but a fumble would end the drive and the game.
Once again the loss could be tied to fumbles, especially today. But as they have all season the Lions fought to the last possible moment not willing to just give up. Throughout the season this team has demonstrated a mental toughness and an unwillingness to accept defeat that is credit to these young men and the coaching staff. The season ends at 6-2, a successful season by any measure, and I congratulate these young men and Coaches LaGiglia, Rush and Kane.
