Farmingdale quarterback Anthony Burriesci shows he's more than a mere backup
Farmingdale's Anthony Burriesci drops back to pass during the Long Island Class I championship game at Stony Brook on Nov. 29, 2015. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
Wearing a black jacket that concealed his Farmingdale jersey, quarterback Tommy Donovan used his crutches to make his way toward Anthony Burriesci.
"Congratulations," Donovan told his replacement with the celebration on the other side of the field already in full swing. "You've done a terrific job for us."
The Dalers had just fallen to Longwood, 47-28, in the Long Island Class I championship game at Stony Brook's Lavalle Stadium, but hearing those words from his good friend was enough to evoke a smile from Burriesci. "Thanks, man," he said before the two hugged.
In only his fifth start at quarterback, Burriesci was the catalyst in giving Farmingdale an early 14-point lead in the biggest game he's ever played in. At this time last year, he was suiting up for the junior varsity.
"Things have gotten a lot faster," he said.
Burriesci never fit into the clearly defined role of "backup" in his first year on varsity. As the team's Wildcat specialist, he handled plenty of snaps as a change-of-pace quarterback even before Donovan suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Ask coach Buddy Krumenacker, and it was more of a "1A and 1B" dynamic between the two junior quarterbacks.
"He was never the second quarterback," Krumenacker said of Burriesci. "He's played a bunch of games and all along he's been in game situations."
Burriesci gained 101 yards on 12 carries, and his 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave Farmingdale a 7-0 lead. His 57-yard TD pass to Hakeem Cesar -- "it was one-on-one, and I just tossed it up," Burriesci said -- extended the lead to 14-0.
He completed 9 of 16 passes for 117 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
"Each day he's looked to get better," Donovan said, "and that's exactly what he's done."
Burriesci watched on the sideline as Donovan tore his ACL on a touchdown run in the first quarter of a Week 7 win over Massapequa.
"I felt really bad,'' Burriesci said. "Truly awful. But then it was like, next man up. Just pick up the helmet and let's go. I was ready.''
From there, Donovan was there for his replacement. "We're great friends,'' Donovan said, "and when I got hurt, I did everything I could to help him in any way.
"But honestly, he didn't need much help. Look how far he's led us. I'm really proud of the job he did for this team.''
