Updated: Hills West Edges Out West Islip 24-21

It wasn't any secret what the Half Hollow Hills West gameplan was on Saturday afternoon. With stiff winds, the Colts put the game in the hands of their running back/quarterback/do-it-all junior Devante McFarlene, and were able to edge out West Islip in a key Division II game, 24-21.

With just over three minutes remaining in the game, McFarlene iced the victory with two big first down runs. The victory improved the Colt's record to 3-3, but more importantly, put them right back in the playoff hunt. 

"My line was blocking and we just had to finish the game," McFarlene said.  "I just have to hold on to the ball, I had a couple turnovers, but I got it back and the coaches trusted me.

"I like to have the ball in my hands and I like controlling the game like that.  My line really controlled the line of scrimmage."

The West Islip defense kept the Lions in the game down the stretch, forcing two fourth quarter turnovers. But junior quarterback Anthony Santo and the offense were unable to cash in on the opportunities. 

"They started blitzing and we weren't picking them up," West Islip head coach Steve Mileti said.  "Our defense stepped up when they had to and got a few turnovers, but we just stopped moving the ball in the second half."

Early on, it appeared as if the West Islip defense was on its way to another shutdown performance.  Hills West had a fourth-and-goal on the Lions one, but the defense jammed the middle and stuffed the Colts to force a turnover on downs. 

On the ensuing possession, Santo led a 99-yard touchdown drive--converting 5-for-5 on passes--capped off with a 32-yard touchdown pass Andrew Federico to take a 7-0 lead. 

But after an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, the Colts took over with great field position, something they had every time the Lions kicked off.  With McFarlene and junior Anthony McCord back deep to receive, West Islip wasn't taking any chances. 

"Field position was everything," said Hills West head coach Kyle Madden.  "So you hope your offensive line can control the line of scrimmage and run the ball…Just trying to keep that field position.  We didn't capitalize a few times, but everything worked out in the end."

On the first play of the second quarter, McFarlene lined up at quarterback and ran up the right sideline for a 48-yard touchdown to even the score 7-7.  He ran 31 times for 175 yards and one touchdown, and took most of the snaps behind center in the second half. 

The Lions answered right back as Santo took a quarterback sneak in for a one-yard touchdown.  Federico took an end around 32-yards to set up the score that made it 14-7 Lions.    

But once again, Hills West had great field position on their next drive.  On a fourth-and-three, senior quarterback Chris Busittil hit Deven Williams for a 25-yard TD to even the score at 14-14, which was how the half would end.

Hills West took their first lead of the game early on in third quarter when Kevin Stanis connected on a 32-yard field goal.  Later on in the third, Busittil hit Williams again, this time for a 17-yard strike to make the score 24-14.

But the Lions weren't done.  Santo hit Steve Patti on a crucial fourth-and-seven to keep their drive alive, and then threw up a perfect ball that Federico was able to haul in with defenders in his face for a 32-yard touchdown. The Hills West lead was now only three heading into the fourth quarter. 

"They had some big plays in the passing game and in their outside runs, but I thought that our defense stepped it up a little bit, Danny McCord in the second half had a couple interceptions which helped," Madden said.

After a McFarlene fumble early in the fourth, Santo dropped back and threw a ball down the right middle of the field that was picked off by Danny McCoy, one of his two picks his coach was referring too.    

The Lions would get the ball one last time off another fumble, but came up empty.  They return home to West Islip next weekend to take on Half Hollow Hills East.    

"We have to just prepare and think one game at a time," Mileti said.  "It's unfortunate, but we just have to get the next win."

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