HS East Makes Smithtown 2 for 2 in Homecomings

The Smithtown High School East community enjoyed a glorious homecoming week that culminated with a thrilling come-from-behind victory by the varsity football HSE Bulls over West Islip on Oct. 18.

The victory comes a week after Smithtown High School West defeated West Islip in its homecoming game.

Homecoming Saturday began with school and district officials leading the parade of floats, bands members, various school organizations and student representatives from the four HSE classes. It started at St. James Elementary School and proceeded down Lake Avenue before ultimately landing on SHSE’s Tim Schroeder Field.

The SHSE Bulls took an early 21-0 lead on three touchdown runs by quarterback John Daniggelis before West Islip came storming back to take a late 28-24 lead. Thanks to an impressive 64-yard kickoff return by Pat Clancy and an ensuing seven-play drive that ended with Daniggelis’s fourth score of the game, the Bulls pulled off the 31-28 victory, improving their record to 5-1 and sending the HSE faithful home happy.

Daniggelis finished the day with 95 yards rushing and 167 yards passing. Tom Skoff was his primary receiver with 92 yards. Tom Gomes kicked two extra points and added a 32-yard field goal. The HSE defense had two sacks and an interception.

The SHSE Chamber Choir sang the national anthem and the 15-time national champion Whisperettes varsity kickline squad performed at halftime, as did the HSE varsity cheerleaders, who along with cheerleaders from other Smithtown schools and community groups, entertained fans throughout the game. Monique Abrams and Nicholas McMahon were crowned homecoming queen and king, respectively.

The SHSE football moms held a fundraiser at the concession stand for the Tom Cutinella Athletic Scholarship Fund, created in memory of the Shoreham-Wading River varsity high school football player who died earlier this month following a collision on the field. A moment of silence was also held for Cutinella prior to kickoff, and SHSE players wore a decal sporting his name and jersey number 54. They also donned pink socks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and held a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives to cancer.

Spirit Week was conducted at SHSE on the days leading up to Saturday’s festivities, in which students dressed to different themes each day, culminating with a Friday pep rally.

Photo by Smithtown Schools: Bulls QB John Daniggelis extends over the pylon for one of his four touchdowns on the day.

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