Rigo powers East Islip past North Babylon
East Islip RB Tyler Rigo #2, tries to avoid the tackle of North Babylon LB Conner Slane. (Oct. 22, 2011) Credit: GEORGE A. FAELLA
When it comes to football, Tyler Rigo's vision is more foresight than eyesight.
"He sees things before they happen," coach Sal J. Ciampi said yesterday after East Islip's 21-7 win over visiting North Babylon in Suffolk II. "He can see plays as they're developing. Even when there's nothing there, he'll find a way."
Rigo used various strategies in navigating the Bulldogs defense, but the result, at least twice, was utterly predictable. The 210-pound bruiser sneaked through the line off left guard and broke a tackle by leaping into the end zone for a 7-yard TD to open the scoring 3:59 into the game.
Rigo (151 yards on 21 carries) then took a pitch around left end for a 2-yard score with 11:53 left to break a 7-all tie in the second quarter.
"It was all the line today," said Rigo, who repeatedly demonstrated an apt ability to run inside and escape a clogged scrum for positive yardage. "They did a great job blocking. It all comes from there. [I'll] see the hole and hit it, and it might not be where the designed play is."
Ciampi noted Rigo brought his own blend of dominance to the fray. "He's got very good speed," he said. "Once he gets going north-south, even if you stick him at two or three yards, he'll push the pile for another two or three."
East Islip (5-2) made good on a number of North Babylon errors, including 20 yards worth of penalties in the opening drive of the third quarter and a costly fumble in the third play of the fourth quarter. Down 21-7 but threatening on second-and-goal on the East Islip 5, the Bulldogs (5-2) ran two plays for one yard before fumbling on fourth-and-4.
Quarterback Ryan Slane had 129 yards and a 5-yard TD on 16 carries, but had far less success in the air, going 1-for-4 for 11 yards and three interceptions.
Both teams pounded the running game, though Pete Hanabergh made the best of one of only three completions: a screen over the middle to Joe Modica on the Redmen's first play of the third. Modica was tripped at the 40, stayed on his feet, broke left and chugged up the sideline, evading a tackle near the goal line thanks to a block by Nick Osburn -- good for the 86-yard score.
It would Modica's last offensive play of the game, as he was whacked on the shin and limped off the field two plays into North Babylon's next possession. Though hurting, he indicated later that the injury wasn't severe and "no pain can outweigh a big game like this."
As for the TD, "it's nothing I really did," Modica said, going on to echo Rigo. "It was just there. My linemen, they get the credit. The big men up front create everything."
Center Rob Sconone, Mike White and Shamus McDaniel were especially integral in keeping the Bulldog defense at bay, though linebacker Basiru Jobe did manage two sacks.
With the East Islip win, the longtime rivals are now 13-13-1. They did it, Ciampi said, despite having their worst practice of the year this week.
After seeing that, "You're scared to death, but the kids did a little better today," Ciampi said. "And I think everyone in the division knows that as Tyler goes, we go."
