That’s the Sachem North we know. The clutch defensive plays, the big scoring drives, the loud and emotional sidelines. All of it was back and very present during Sachem’s 31-6 victory at Lindenhurst Friday night.
Anthony Ross led the offense with 20 carries for 147 yards and 1 touchdown, while Malik Pierre had 17 carries for 89 yards and 1 touchdown as well as two forced fumbles on defense, and Kevin Bragaglia had 6 carries for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“We had a bunch of team meetings to talk about how we could rebound off the two losses that we had,” said Ross. “Everyone said they were going to make a vow to put their heart out on the field and represent Sachem how it should be. Everyone needs to do that every game, get their energy levels up and play their hearts out.”
Bragaglia opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown run at 4:46 of the first quarter and added to it with a 35-yard touchdown scamper two minutes later to put Sachem ahead 14-0 early. Both runs were brilliant as Bragaglia used his elusiveness to break multiple tackles and buckle a slew of defenders’ knees on his way to the end zone.
Sachem (5-2) went ahead 21-0 on a 2-yard touchdown run by Malik Pierre at 5:36 of the second quarter. Ross moved that drive into Lindenhurst territory with a 37-yard rush to put Sachem in the red zone.
On Sachem’s next possession it was Ross who finished with a 4-yard touchdown rush. Bryan Morris finished Sachem’s scoring with a 26-yard field goal, his first of the season.
Lindenhurst’s (1-6) only touchdown came with 2:03 left in the first half when Ryan Hoffman hit Nick Soriano with a 66-yard touchdown pass.
Defensively Sachem was firing on all cylinders. Aside from ample pressure from Pierre and Bragaglia on blitzes, Chris Biryla recorded a sack, Jake Slater had an interception and George Carrion, Justin Rivera and Anthony DiMatteo were seemingly in the pile on just about every play needing a tackle.
“We talked about getting back to basics,” said Sachem coach Dave Falco. “We have a good team and kind of lost our way a little bit [the last two weeks]. It’s more of a mentality change then anything else. We have to be excited about playing football. Lindy played with Commack and Floyd and we can play with everybody too.”
Slats All Folks!
You know him well. Michael Slattery is always talking, always jumping around the sidelines, always screaming his head off. He loves Sachem football and occasionally he gets a chance to play. As his senior season winds down, he had quite the performance in the final minute of Sachem’s win on Friday. Slattery made his first career fumble recovery and two plays later recorded his first career reception, a two-yard pass that he’ll never forget. He received the game ball and proper adulation from his teammates and coaches.
Heading into halftime Slats told Sachem offensive coordinator Mike Maratto he wanted to catch a pass.
“I want the ball if I go in,” he told him, “and I want fire now,” referring to a specific pass play he likes.
Low and behold after Slats recovered a fumble, the coaches called fire now and he made the grab. He credits Sachem backup quarterback Mike Licatta with throwing a great pass on the play.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I have no words to describe this. I saw a fumble and jumped on it and I knew I could stay out there to catch a pass.”
News & Notes
- Sachem quarterback Trent Crossan was out again recovering from an ankle injury he suffered against Longwood, and aggravated against Commack. He should be ready for action in Week 8.
- Sachem out-gained Lindenhurst, 380-160, in total offensive yards. The Bulldogs were held to just 47 rushing yards.
- The Flaming Arrows host Patchogue-Medford in a highly anticipated Week 8 battle next Friday night. It will be senior night for Sachem, plus a rivalry match that has all the makings of a good football game.
Scoring breakdown
- S: Bragaglia 31 run, Morris kick
- S: Bragaglia 35 run, Morris kick
- S: Pierre 2 run, Morris kick
- S: Ross 4 run, Morris kick
- L: Hoffman to Soriano, missed kick
- S: Morris 26 field goal
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro