West Islip vs Bay Shore 9/21/13

In what can only be called a miraculous comeback the West Islip Lions came back from 22-8 4th Quarter deficit to defeat the Bay Shore Marauders 23-22.  The first half was a back and forth game with the Lions taking an early 6-0 lead on a sophomore QB Connor Smith's 2 yard run.  Bay Shore tied the game at 6-6 with an interception returned for a TD.  The half ended in a tie but the Lions had a number of opportunities to open up a lead but were unable to capitalize.  Things looked up starting the 2nd half.  After a James McCorvey punt put the Marauders on their one yard line Sophomore Defensive Tackle Andrew Lyons sliced in and tackled the ballcarrier in the end zone for a safety.  The lead did not last long as Bay Shore scored on a TD pass.  The 4th quarter started with the Lions down and Bay Shore scored twice more on a field goal and another interception run back for a TD.  This gave Bay Shore a 22-8 lead and a little over 5 minutes to play.  An injury to Connor Smith lead to Freshman Kevin Cunningham taking over at quarterback.  With things looking a little bleak Cunningham lead the Lions down the field and scored on a pretty 22 yard run.  Kevin DiCapua kicked the extra point and the Bay Shore lead was now 7 points.  The Lions attempted an onside kick but Bay Shore recovered with about 2 and half minutes left.  A stiff Lions defense forced Bay Shore to punt.  Cunningham and Sophomore running back Alex Ponce made several good runs but needed over 50 yards for a score.  Cunningham dropped backed and threw down field.  A Bay Shore defender made a play on the ball and tipped it into Sophomore receiver Dan Mottes' hands who then cut across the field and completed a 55 yard TD pass and the Marauders lead was now 1 point.  The Lions went for a 2 point conversion and James McCorvey ran it in with 31 seconds left in the game.  Bay Shore made a strong effort but pass pressure by Lyons, Ponce and Sophmore Ryan Gray proved enough to stop the the threat.  A few shout outs, first to Coaches LaGiglia, Rush and Kane for improvement in the team from the first game, also a victory but as ugly as they get.  A second shout out to Sophomore Captain Sean Burke coming back from injury playing in his first game was a one man wrecking machine on defense.  In addition, the whole West Islip defense played great only giving up 10 points.  Finally to Freshman QB Kevin Cunningham and the WI offense that came to life with 5 minutes left in the game.  Next Week the Lions play Smithtown East at Smithtown East High School Sat 9/28 at 9 AM.