Lindenhurst Aerial Attack Too Much for Visiting CI

Lindenhurst shook off two first-quarter turnovers – including a bad snap which handed visiting Central Islip a cakewalk from the three into the end zone on the first series of the game – to notch five TDs and a 35-6 halftime lead. It paved the way to the team’s third conference win on Saturday.

Lindy’s first-half scoring spree came on a 69-yard kick-off return for touchdown by Josh Stewart, two break-away TD runs for David Fowler and Joe Lukralle, a Brad Witkowski to Kenny Skon sideline toss, and a Skon interception of a screen pass, which he returned to pay dirt.

The (3-1) even made up for a missed PAT, when a bad snap forced kicker Vin Valela to scramble with the ball and lateral it to Keith Meisner, who ran it in for the two-point conversion.

"After a slow start Josh returned that punt to put us up for good," said Head Coach Nick Lombardo after the game. "Joe Lukralle and David Fowler continue to be a potent combination. And our defense was solid."

And then some – it was a big afternoon on on the defensive side of the ball for Meisner (six tackles), Fowler and Matt Colton (five tackles each).

En route to the 35-6 halftime score, Witkowski went 13 for 17 with 149 yards, 101 yards of which were receptions by Skon.

Alec Wrieth was also in on the reception spree, hauling in four passes in the first half for 47 yards.

Meanwhile, to keep the Central Islip (0-4) defense honest and the passing game open, Lukralle amassed 48 first half yards on the ground, and Fowler added in 20.

Of note in the first half was the fact that, on the only serious drive mounted by CI, the ’ stiffened deep in its own territory to stop them – with big Joe Jennewein accounting for two key tackles in the series to halt the drive.

Also of note was the continued impressive leg of Valela, who – with his back to a stiff wind in the second quarter – put two kick-offs through the end zone, and one completely out of it.

"Valela was awesome at kicking," said Lombardo. "Those three touchbacks kept CI pinned in their endzone."

Next up for the Bulldogs football squad is a trip to Ward Melville (1-3) October 6, at 4:30 p.m.

After that, the competition stiffens, with a contest against 3-1 Longwood, which beat 14-12 last week. That’s followed by Sachem East and Sachem North, both 4-0.