Lindenhurst defense shuts down Sachem East in League I semifinal
Lindenhurst QB Ryan Hofmann looks to pass against Floyd in a Suffolk I quarterfinal on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Credit: George A. Faella
Lindenhurst entered yesterday's Suffolk League I semifinal football game against Sachem East having allowed the fewest points in the division.
Sachem's Josh Hanna scored early, but that would be it, as fourth-seeded Lindenhurst rolled to a 33-7 win over No. 3 Sachem East (8-2).
Senior Mike Santobello had an interception and keyed what Lindenhurst coach Nick Lombardo called the key sequence when he returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown during Sachem East's opening drive of the second half.
"That was a huge play for us," Lombardo said. "The defense has been great all season."
Ryan Hofmann, who was 15-for-23 passing for 173 yards, found freshman wide receiver Jeremy Ruckert for a 6-yard score to put Lindenhurst (8-2) up 27-7 on the Bulldogs' next drive.
After scrambling out of the pocket to avoid pressure, Hofmann lofted a pass to the 6-4 Ruckert as he ran toward the sideline. Ruckert snagged the ball and was able to drag his feet inbounds.
A.J. Leddy had two interceptions and a pair of field goals in the second half for Lindenhurst.
Kyle Wilner had two sacks, David Keller contributed 11 tackles and Bobby Bove and Gino Bonagura each had 10 tackles.
Lindenhurst will play in its first county final since 2008 when it faces No. 7 Patchogue-Medford at Stony Brook University on Friday at 7 p.m.
