Dalton Crossan's 4 TDs lift Sachem North

The little brother is used to seeing what the big brother can do on a football field. But sophomore quarterback Trent Crossan still marvels at the sheer domination of Dalton, the senior running back, who started the season in grand style for Sachem North by scoring four touchdowns in a 27-13 victory over host Bay Shore in a Suffolk Division I game Saturday.

"It is definitely great to win in Week 1," said Dalton, who scored on runs of 14, 48 and 52 yards to make the score 21-0 with 11:26 left in the first half. He set up his own touchdown by returning the opening kickoff to the Bay Shore 20-yard line. Dalton ended the scoring for his team on a 24-yard run late in the fourth quarter. He totaled 135 yards on the day.

Dalton only carried the ball eight times, but each touchdown carried his ability to zig zag, find holes and fend off tacklers. "I love watching him," Trent said. "Sometimes my coach gets mad because I'm watching him downfield instead of carrying out my fake. He's just amazing.

"I love watching him make people miss as he just cuts across the field. It's almost funny watching him do it now because I know he could do it at any time."

Bay Shore had all camp to work on Dalton, but coach Jim Giattino said there is no stopping the great players. "He made special plays," Giattino said. "The only other back who can run like that is the kid at Floyd [Stacey Bedell]. We were in the right place, we stopped him at times. We were in the same places on the runs that he broke. He's electric. He runs like a superstar back does."

Bay Shore played without star linebacker Josh Valentin, who broke his leg two weeks ago and could be lost for most of the season. He was in crutches on the sideline.

Linebacker Griffin Rock said the defense tried its best to stop Crosson. "We'd close it down, he'd cut back. Not filling in cutback lanes was a big problem for us."

SEE PHOTOSSachem North 27, Bay Shore 13

Trent, who does more than just hand the ball off to his brother, rushed for 68 yards. "That's definitely big having him there," Dalton said. "Sometimes, if I get a little tired, my legs are a little heavy, it's nice to have someone maybe make big play, take a little pressure off."

Together, the Crossons are the Brothers Grim for the opposition. There was one fickle play in the third quarter when Trent intercepted the ball just past midfield and raced toward the Bay Shore end zone. But he did not protect the ball, fumbling it away to Bay Shore's McKinley Skinner.

Dalton had some words for Trent, but the tone was positive. "I obviously knew I made a mistake," Trent said. "But he's very encouraging. He said 'Keep it up.' Next play I got out and made a tackle. I kind of brushed it off."

The same way Dalton brushed off tacklers all day.