The Sachem-Connetquot rivalry and Battle of Ronkonkoma is alive and well. Both Sachem North and Sachem East have beat Connetquot in crucial regular season and playoff games the last three seasons.
Friday night’s battle in Connetquot is going to be a good one. Expect both teams to bring their early-season A games.
Sachem opened the season with a 21-7 victory against rival William Floyd. We saw Kevin Bragaglia score three touchdowns and rush for 123 yards. Jasheem Banks also had 22 carries for 120 yards.
Connetquot beat Commack, 41-12. Quarterback Jack Cassidy threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Bryan Ramirez had 7 catches for 118 yards and 1 touchdown.
If you recall, Sachem beat Connetquot by one point in last year’s playoffs after the Thunderbirds were stopped on a two-point conversion attempt at the end of the Suffolk County Division I semifinal. You can bet it’s still on Connetquot’s mind.
The difference maker for Connetquot will be its passing game. We saw in Week 1 that the T-Birds rely heavily on the pass. Sachem will have to be prepared and amp up its secondary to deal with Cassidy’s range.
GAME DETAILS
- Team records: Both 1-0
- TIME: 7 p.m.
- LOCATION: Connetquot High School, Bohemia, N.Y.
- EXPECTED WEATHER: 60 degrees, clear skies
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro