West Islip Football Shuts Out Northport, 41-0

capped a rebound season with a disciplined performance.

It took 24 hours to wrap up the regular season finale, but the West Islip football team locked up the third seed – and a home game – in the Suffolk Division I playoffs. 

The Lions shut out host , 41-0, on Sunday morning in a game that was suspended at halftime Saturday due to deteriorating weather conditions.  According to Northport Athletic Director Drew Cronin, the game was stopped after players on both sides showed hypothermic symptoms.   

“The decision was made at halftime after we had some kids experience hypothermia [symptoms],” Cronin said. “We put them in the showers. We had medical staff there. We had a doctor and trainer. We got them warmed up in a warm shower. We put them in the training room and my office. They recovered fully and came back to play today.” 

West Islip led 22-0 when the teams reconvened to play the second half. And the Lions (7-1) didn’t let up. 

Senior quarterback Anthony Santo scrambled his way to a touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter. He broke free down the left sideline for a 37-yard scoring run to put the Lions ahead 28-0.

After recovering a fumble at the Northport 38-yard-line, West Islip extended the lead on Nick Aponte’s 18-yard touchdown run with 9:01 left in the third. Tom Woodburn’s kick made it 35-0. 

It echoed a play on Saturday. Northport fumbled away the opening possession and safety Tom Moore returned it 22 yards for an early 6-0 edge. Moore added an interception on Sunday.

The net result was a strong statement heading into the postseason. After all, the and were seeded 10th after an enrollment change bumped them up to D-I.

West Islip finished in a three-way tie for first with Sachem North and Longwood. But Coach Steve Mileti’s team took the third seed based on the power-rating system, which takes into account West Islip’s low preseason seed. 

No matter. The Lions have a home game next week in the quarterfinals and will face . The game is Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Suffolk Division I Football

Teams...................1.....2.....3.....4 – F

West Islip...........14.....8...13.....6 – 41

Northport..............0.....0.....0.....0 – 0

WI – Moore 22 fumble return (kick failed)

WI – Santo 12 run (Aponte from Santo)

WI – Johnson 4 run (Aponte from Santo)

WI – Santo 37 run (kick failed)

WI – Aponte 18 run (Woodburn kick)

WI – Brady 8 run (run failed)