Masone leads Comsewogue past shorthanded Bellport
Comsewogue's quarterback Matt Scalera looks to pass during Comsewogue's 21-20 win over Bellport. (Sept. 25, 2010) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The momentum had shifted toward Comsewogue before Matt Cossidente secured the extra point and the 21-20 lead against Bellport early in the fourth quarter - before, even, Vincenzo Masone split two defenders on his left side and barreled into the end zone to tie it on a 2-yard scramble.
The Clippers suspended what is believed to be a dozen players, including some key members on defense, for violating a 10:30 p.m. curfew on Friday, Sept. 17, according to a statement released by coach Joe Cipp. While Bellport (1-2) held its own, taking a 20-7 lead with 2:52 left in the third quarter, the players were noticeable in their absence, as the upstart Warriors, led by Masone and quarterback Matt Scalera, secured the upset at Bellport, which is ranked fourth in Division II. Comsewogue is 2-1.
"There's no asterisk next to that win," Cipp said Saturday. "They won that game."
Despite Comsewogue's limited reliance on the passing game, Scalera made his mark in other ways. A 90-yard kickoff return for a TD late in the third and Cossidente's kick (3-for-3 on PATs, two touchbacks) drew the Warriors to within 20-14. Comsewogue took the lead with 9:37 left in the game.
"We made a big play on specials, but we sputtered on offense a little bit," Comsewogue coach Chuck Carron said. "We missed some opportunities, but overall, any time you come to Bellport and beat a program like them, you have to be pleased."
Masone helped lead them. He kicked off the scoring with a 42-yard run off left guard on the opening drive, and led Comsewogue with 21 carries for 117 yards.
"He's our main guy," Carron said. "He's the reason we run our zone play. He's strong, he's physical, and he's able to make cuts."
Michael Krisa led the defense with 11 tackles, while Bellport quarterback Justin Honce sparked the Clipper offense with 14 completions for 238 yards, and two touchdowns. Honce's big play came in the second quarter, when he hit Mike Burton on the streak for a 75-yard touchdown which, at the time, gave Bellport a 12-7 lead.
Cipp declined to talk about the suspensions but, in his statement, expressed frustration with the situation.
"I am disappointed that a number of my players chose to violate the team curfew by staying out past 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, one day after our Thursday game," the statement read. "It is my hope the players who were involved in missing curfew understand their actions were wrong and the impact it had on their team, their parents and, most of all, themselves."
The Bellport disciplinary code has been enforced for over 30 years, the statement said. The code bans drugs and alcohol and spells out penalties for tardiness, missed curfew or smoking - all of which can end in being kicked off the team. The players, all of whom were suited up for the game, are expected back for Saturday's game against Riverhead.
Cipp's statement concluded: "My players are held to high standards. It is a privilege to play Bellport football."
