Hurricanes Brace For Battle Of Unbeatens

The Westhampton Hurricanes used their trademarks, a pounding running attack and a stifling defense, to upend Islip Friday night, October 5 and remain undefeated.

The game wasn’t as close as the final score, 35-14, indicated. Westhampton Beach drew off to a 35-0 halftime lead and substituted liberally from there on in against Islip (2-3).

The locals ran their record to 5-0 on the season against their Conference III rival; it marked the 16th consecutive victory for the defending Long Island champions over the course of two seasons.

The Buccaneers couldn’t cope with WHB’s two-pronged rushing attack. The Lightning, Jaden Alfano-St. John had 11 rushes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and added four receptions for 61 yards to lead Westhampton (5-0).

The Thunder, Liam McIntyre, an all Long Island performer on defense at middle linebacker who doubles as a pretty fine fullback, added 22 rushing yards and another touchdown.

Alfano-St. John’s electrifying 58-yard scoring run in the first quarter set the tone for the evening.

Tyler Nolan also gained 22 yards and a touchdown and Jesse Alfano-St. John returned an errant pass for a touchdown to make it 21-0. McIntyre, all over the field, was credited with 12 tackles.

Waiting in the wings is Half-Hollow Hills, unbeaten with a 5-0 mark. The Cougars get the locals at home on Saturday, October 13 at 1 PM.

Hills, playing at West Babylon Saturday, October 7, kept pace with a 34-7 victory. Sadiq Hinds had five carries for 50 yards and a touchdown and Deyvon Wright added a 10-yard touchdown reception.

Hills brings a suffocating defense to the pivotal game: The Colts held West Babylon to under 50 yards of total offense. Gerald Filardi had an interception and Joey Venezia recorded three sacks and an interception. Babylon dropped to 1-4 on the season.

Riverhead dropped a crucial matchup Saturday at Bellport 34-8 to fall to 2-3 in Conference II action. The locals play at Centereach (3-2) Saturday October 13 at 1:30 PM.

Hampton Bays fell to 1-4 after absorbing a 50-0 pummeling at the hands of Shoreham-Wading River. The Baymen get Port Jefferson (1-3) Friday under the lights (7 PM). Greenport/Southold/Mattituck lost to Glenn 41-14.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com