Bartlett's 5 TDs carry Riverhead to win
A file photo of Riverhead's Miguel Maysonet (21) dancing along the sideline for extra yardage in the first half of a game. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
It was the kind of back and forth that could make a seasoned sailor queasy.
Four times in the first half Riverhead took a seven-point lead, and four times Half Hollow Hills East roared back to tie the score. Eight combined touchdowns in the first half and all there was to show for it was a tie game Wednesday.
But the host Blue Wave calmed the choppy waters, scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter to finally take control as Riverhead beat Hills East, 47-35, in Division II. Senior Charles Bartlett led the way with 35 carries for 294 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.
"Last week was a breakout game for him, but he needed to send a message," assistant coach Bill Hedges said. "That's the player he's becoming now: a tough, hard runner."
Hills East (2-2) scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to trim the deficit to 12 points, but with the Thunderbirds driving down the field and threatening for more, Jeff Pittman grabbed an interception at the Riverhead 21-yard line with 3:07 to go to seal the victory.
Ryan Bitzer was 6-for-15 for 133 yards and had five carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
"We owned the third quarter," Hedges said. "Offensively, we knew we're good and we just had to reduce some of the errors and penalties we had."
After just playing on Saturday, the teams also battled fatigue. "Our kids were sore today," Hedges said. "They were a little beat up."
But after a choppy first half, they still sailed to victory.
