Snakebitten: Floyd Topples Sachem North Again

Sachem North's playoff run came to an end tonight after their injury-plagued season finally caught up with them in a 32-7 loss to William Floyd. The game started promising for the Flaming Arrows, after they took the ball away on Floyd's first two possessions, and cashed in one turnover for an early 7-0 lead.

But Floyd got some turnovers of their own, and Floyd's running attack was able to get going in the second half.

For Sachem one key to victory was to rely on momentum, something they robbed themselves of when a fake punt that would have taken them inside Floyd's 20 got called back on a holding penalty.

"That would have been our second score there," said Head Coach Dave Falco. "And that kind of changed momentum. We held them a couple times to two field goals. But just not enough bullets in the gun."

The victory sends Floyd to the Suffolk County championship for the second year in a row, and sends Sachem North looking forward to next year.

"I'm very proud of our guys, and we'll get back to the gym and back to work," Falco said. "A lot of guys got a lot of experience and this is what this is all about."

The team lost a lot of star players during the year, including Quarterback Trent Crossan, Runningback/Defensive Lineman Tyler Andreassi, and Anthony Ross, just to name a few. In the first half of tonight's game, backup QB Mike O'Donnell took a brutal hit that sidelined him for the rest of the night. Mike Licata stepped in as the signal caller. The replacements that have stepped into starter roles this year gives Falco hope for the future. 

"This should motivate them to move on and do better next time," Falco said. "It's about getting into the weight room and the offseason starts in January."

Malik Pierre had North's only touchdown; a 12-yard rush on Sachem's opening drive. Bryan Morris kicked the point after. 

William Floyd now awaits the winner of the Sachem East vs. Connetquot game, scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.