Jared Ziegler's two TD passes, interception return lead North Babylon in Suffolk II quarterfinal
North Babylon's #1 Jared Ziegler reacts after running in a touchdown during second half action of a Suffolk II football quarterfinal playoff game at North Babylon High School Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin
On a day when North Babylon High School honored the 20th anniversary of its 1995 Long Island Championship team, the Bulldogs bulldozed their way to a 36-7 win over Huntington Saturday in a Suffolk II quarterfinal.
Jared Ziegler contributed on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs. In addition to his two touchdown passes -- 3-for-4 for 50 yards -- Ziegler added a 27-yard fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown.
"We work hard in practice on sprints," Ziegler said. "Everything we do in practice helps me prepare to play both sides of the ball."
On the Bulldogs' first possession, Ziegler hit Max Deitch for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
After holding Huntington on downs, North Babylon found the end zone once again, as Jahjuan Winters (131 yards, 20 carries, one TD) punched it in from 5 yards out.
Brandon Sobotker (78 yards on 19 carries, one touchdown, two receptions for 30 yards) tacked on a two-point conversion to put the Bulldogs up 15-0.
The Blue Devils answered with a 36-yard TD pass from William Wright to Jared Leake on fourth-and 10. The ensuing kickoff deflected off a North Babylon player and the Blue Devils recovered.
But North Babylon was able to force a three-and-out. The Bulldogs then marched down the field, and Ziegler found Sobotker on the left side for an 18-yard TD to give North Babylon a 22-7 lead at halftime.
Ziegler's pick-six with nine minutes left in the game gave the Bulldogs a three-touchdown cushion.
Ryan Thompson picked off Wright again with 8:18 left, setting up the Bulldogs for another score on Sobotker's 11-yard run.
"This is the first time in a long time the team has been really healthy," North Babylon coach Terry Manning said. "Defensively we played a pretty perfect game, and did everything we wanted to do."
