Andrew Smith's QB sneak for TD sparks Northport win

Northport quarterback Andrew Smith said the decision to forgo a short fourth-quarter field-goal attempt and go for the touchdown was an easy one. The Tigers had squandered a 20-point third-quarter lead and held what seemed like a tenuous seven-point edge over a hard-charging Commack.

"There was no question that we were going for the touchdown," Smith said. "Our line was blowing them off the ball."

Smith, who hadn't used the quarterback sneak all season, got up under center Dylan Adelman-Keller, called his signals, and followed the bruising Adelman into the end zone for the score with 10:21 left in the fourth quarter. The fourth-down run gave Northport a 14-point lead in its 41-20 victory over Commack in a Suffolk Division I quarterfinal game before a home crowd of more than 1,400 in Northport.

The 1-yard TD run capped an 11-play, 71-yard drive, keyed by Smith's 23-yard scramble for a first down to the Commack 6.

"It's not a play we ever call," Northport coach Kip Lukralle said. "We just felt like we could get it at the goal line. And field-goal attempts are always a risk. And had they stopped us, they'd have had a long way to go."

Northport halfback Dan Preston punched in his third touchdown run from 8 yards with 3:19 remaining for the final margin. He gained 127 yards on 15 carries.

"They couldn't stop our sweep," Preston said. "Our guys were getting out in front and clearing everyone out."

SEE PHOTOSCommack vs. Northport

James Clemente and Rob Fontana, who nursed an ankle injury all week and did not practice, anchored the Northport offensive line.

"We had good balance," said Smith, who completed 5 of 8 passes for 111 yards and a score. "Even when they made their comeback, we were confident we'd score again."

Northport (6-3) led 21-7 after Smith lofted a beautiful pump and go down the visitors' sideline to wide receiver John Tabert in the back of the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown on the final play of the first half.

"The defender bit on the pump fake and then I just let it go," Smith said.

Northport opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 70-yard march completed by Rob Dosch's 1-yard plunge for a 27-7 lead with 6:22 left.

But Commack (5-4) answered with a seven-play, 83-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Ryan Sheridan, who made an 11-yard second-quarter scoring pass to Joe Clarkin, scored on a 1-yard run to make it 27-14.

On the ensuing kickoff, Mike Regan stripped the ballcarrier and the Cougars took over at the Northport 29. Sheridan then lofted a perfectly thrown 29-yard touchdown pass to Tom Dugan, who beat the tight coverage in the corner of the end zone to make it 27-20.

Then it was all Smith and Preston in the crucial drive for a date with Longwood in the Suffolk I semifinals next weekend.

As Smith celebrated, the 200-plus band members, who entertained the crowd all game, set off the wave in the packed home bleachers.

"Our school band is awesome, they pump us up, we love them," Smith said. "They're so good, like the 12th man."

Percussionist Dan Behrens and the rest of the drum line exited the field with the team.

"Great win, it's a lot of fun," Behrens said. "We know we motivated them and they got the win. It's all good."

By Gregg Sarra

gregg.sarra@newsday.com@Gregg_Sarra

Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.