Lions Lose Thrilling Season Opener to North Babylon 13-9

Second-year head coach Steve Mileti nearly had his biggest win since taking over the varsity football program a year ago. Junior quarterback Anthony Santo led a late fourth-quarter drive, but couldn't complete a fourth-and-five with less than 20 seconds remaining to fall to the No.1 ranked North Babylon Bulldogs 13-9.

"The last play I was about to throw it and got hit from behind," Santo said. "I feel like if I got that ball off, we would've kept going. It would've been a different ball game."

Mileti's bend but don't break theory worked all game for the Lions on defense.  Host North Babylon began the game with a drive that lasted more than 10 minutes, but ended with with a blocked field goal attempt, one of two the Lions blocked on the day.

"The defense played phenomenal," Mileti said. "Anytime you hold North Babylon to 13 points, your offense has got to put more points on the board. We just didn't get in a groove offensively today."

The Lions, ranked No. 7 in Division II heading into the season, came into the game as the clear underdogs. Most of the talk was about two of the Bulldog's star players, running back Preshod McCoy and tackle Golden Ukonu.  Both players proved their worth, with McCoy rushing for two touchdowns, including a dazzling 30-yard run and an interception when the Lions were in the redzone. 

But the Lions went to halftime with a 3-0 lead thanks to a field goal by junior Tom Woodburn late in the second quarter.  "We're not going to back down to anybody," he said.  "They're a great football team. They did their stuff but we held our own."

A three-and-out to start the second half led to McCoy's first touchdown run, and put the Bulldogs up 7-3.  The lead didn't last long, though.  On West Islip's ensuing possession, Santo hit his 6'4" tight end Robert Pescitelli for a 70-yard touchdown pass and the Lions led 9-7 with 4:30 left in the third. 

North Babylon answered with another long drive, this time resulting in a 4-yard touchdown run from McCoy with 5:49 left to play.

Running back Mike Sagl fumbled on West Islip's next possession, but a missed North Babylon field goal gave the ball back to the Lions with just under three minutes remaining.

That's when Santo started to march the offense down the field, connecting on two crucial fourth down plays to keep the drive alive. But on fourth-and-five, Santo's pass fell incomplete, and it was victory formation for the Bulldogs.

"The line played amazing, Santo said.  "We were doing stops, it was working all day, so we tried to go long a couple times and it just didn't work out. 

"I know certainly our passing game will get better, we're a lot more confident throwing the ball. We just need to focus more on our zone plays.

"He's a phenomenal quarterback," Mileti said of Santo.  "He's a young, he's got great leadership.  He's going to be a great one for us."

Check Patch later for an updated game story with video highlights and statistics.