The Huntington High School junior varsity football team won an old-fashioned defensive battle last Saturday, topping host Sayville, 8-0 on a late touchdown by running back Kei Ron Byrams.
The teams engaged in a tough, physical and hard hitting contest, with neither defensive unit willing to surrender even an inch of ground without a fight. Cornerback Jared Leake led the way for Huntington with three solo tackles and two interceptions. His second one preserved the Blue Devils’ lead and ultimately secured the victory.
Huntington did have some success moving the ball, but the Blue Devils had little to show for it. Byrams rushed 21 times for 125 yards, including a 30 yard touchdown sprint with about seven minutes remaining in the game. Quarterback Will Wright followed with a pass to Jahmik Curry, who outleaped two defenders to pull down the ball for a spectacular two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.
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Blue Devil offensive linemen Ed Daly, Khari McNeil, John Canas, Ryan Stieve and Garrett Moya all held up well against a tough and well-prepared Sayville defensive unit. The Huntington line helped create holes through which Byrams, Curry and Doug Taylor ran to daylight.
The most direct threat to the Blue Devils winning their third consecutive game was Sayville’s potent passing game. Helping Huntington defend against the air war were Curry, Dan Mavrogian and Ryan LaBella, who had a key interception, which proved crucial because it was the catalyst for what proved to be the winning touchdown for Huntington.
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Taylor and fellow Blue Devil linebackers Will Thomas and Max Polster helped shutdown the Golden Flashes running game with a combined 14 solo tackles and 13 assists. The defensive line play of Ted Deegan, John Canas, Burak Toprak, David Cogan and Jake Salese also played an important role in Huntington’s shutout.
“This group is responsible for maintaining two goal line stands; one during the first half and a second on the very last Sayville drive of the game,” Huntington head coach Tim Madden said about the defensive line. “Both times they pushed Sayville, effectively denying them the opportunity to score despite being just inches from the goal line.” Madden coaches the Blue Devils along with trusted assistant James Byrnes.
Huntington will look to win its fourth game this fall when it hosts visiting Westhampton Beach on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Blue Devil Field.
