Despite loss, Lindenhurst players proud of resurrecting the program
Lindenhurst running back Gino Bonagura looks for an open running lane in the first half of the Suffolk Division I Championship game against Longwood at Stony Brook's Lavalle Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Credit: Daniel De Mato
Jeremy Ruckert thought back to the beginning of last season when he was a freshman, unsure if he belonged on varsity or junior varsity.
The current seniors on Lindenhurst's varsity football team -- including captains Ryan Hofmann, Gino Bonagura and Bobby Bove -- showed Ruckert that playing alongside them was exactly where he belonged.
"They helped me out on the field, off the field, in the classroom," said Ruckert, a 6-6 wide receiver and linebacker who made 10 catches for 121 yards Sunday as Lindenhurst fell to Longwood, 44-14, in the Suffolk I final at Stony Brook University. "It's disappointing that this is my last game with them. I'm really going to miss them."
Though Hofmann, Bonagura, Bove and the other seniors played their last game for Lindenhurst, they did so knowing that they helped the program reach new heights.
"They re-established Lindenhurst football and what Lindenhurst football represents," coach Nick Lombardo said. "They've had a great two-year run."
That run started last season when they helped the Bulldogs capture their first county championship since they shared the title with West Islip in 1972. This season they set the program's record for wins in a season, helping the Bulldogs improve to 10-0 before falling Sunday.
Hofmann completed 23 of 38 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He connected with Joe Palmeri on a 27-yard touchdown pass that gave Lindenhurst a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. He later found River Zotto in the end zone for an 18-yard score to pull the Bulldogs within 27-14 with 8:52 remaining.
Despite failing to reach the Long Island Championships for a chance to avenge last season's loss to Syosset, the program's turnaround from when Bonagura and Hofmann were freshmen was an accomplishment in itself.
"From my freshman year going 2-6, sophomore year going 2-6, junior year going to the LIC, senior year going 10-0, to now," said Bonagura, who had three catches for 38 yards. "I am proud of these guys and proud to say we made history.''
"You just wish you could be going on to the next week, looking to make more history."
Making history now will be up to the younger players such as Ruckert, who continues to show what a difficult matchup he is with his size and route-running.
"We have a bunch of good young kids coming through and we have nine sophomores on this team," Ruckert said. "But right now, I really wish we had this one. I'm still extremely proud of what this team accomplished. We had a bond that won't be broken."
