Jack Hannigan leads No. 5 East Islip to win over No. 4 Smithtown East
East Islip QB Jack Hannigan fights off the tackle of Smithtown East DB Tom Skoff for the gain in a Suffolk ll playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. Credit: George A. Faella
The cut across the bridge of his nose was the least of Jack Hannigan's worries because he also was suffering with an injured knee and a sprained ankle.
None of that mattered Saturday.
The East Islip quarterback ran 16 times for 126 yards and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead the No. 5 Redmen (6-3) past host No. 4 Smithtown East, 16-10, in the Suffolk II quarterfinals.
"What can I say," teammate Hugens Tranquille asked. "It's Jack Hannigan. I don't know what else to say. It's just Jack Hannigan."
Coach Sal Ciampi knew what to say:
Give the ball to Hannigan.
After Tom Skoff's 24-yard field goal put the Bulls (6-3) ahead 10-3 late in the third quarter, the Redmen went 54 yards on seven plays to tie it at 10 with 9:55 left after Hannigan scored on a 1-yard run on third-and-goal.
"I followed my center [Sean Sconone]," Hannigan said. "He just led me in the end zone."
The East Islip defense forced a three-and-out on Smithtown East's ensuing drive, and then the offense marched 60 yards in 4:32 to take a 16-10 lead.
Hannigan ran five times for 46 yards that drive. His 23-yard burst off left guard set up a first-and-10 from Smithtown East's 24, and his 7-yard touchdown run with 2:58 remaining was the tiebreaking score.
"He's not healthy, but he's asking for the ball every play," Ciampi said. "That's just the kind of kid he is."
John Daniggelis' legs nearly spoiled East Islip's upset bid. The Smithtown East quarterback kept his team on the field for 14:30 in the first half, extending the Bulls' first two drives and tiring East Islip's defense by evading tackles in the pocket. Tranquille intercepted him in the end zone to end an opening drive that lasted 7:07.
Ciampi said he has "never coached against a better player" than Daniggelis, who eclipsed the 5,000 total-yard mark for his career Saturday, according to Smithtown East (6-3).
"You get out here, and he's dancing around and doing that stuff," Ciampi said. "It takes some time to adjust to that game speed and what he does."
But the Redmen did adjust.
With 1:30 left, James Kelly sacked Daniggelis on second down. Two plays later, East Islip forced a turnover on downs to seal the win and advance to the semifinals against No. 1 Bellport.
This time, Tranquille knew what to say.
"This," he said, "is just awesome."
