Sachem North's Scanna runs for 3 TDs
Sachem's Bonifacio Aguila (10) with the 28 yard pass reception up the middle for a touchdown in the second half. (Oct. 2, 2010) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
If there was a concern for Sachem North coming into the season, it was the offensive line. The pieces were in place for the skill positions.
If that was the biggest worry, it's clear Sachem North is in great shape. The offensive line of James Thompson, Jacob Starling, Thomas Mignano, Timothy Lang and Nicholas Teta were dominant in Sachem North's 45-0 win over host Connetquot Saturday in Suffolk Division I football.
"They're doing all the dirty work," Sachem North running back-linebacker Jesse Scanna said. "They're opening up some tremendous holes. All us backs have to do is run straight. All five are great."
Scanna should know. He rushed for 173 yards on six carries and scored on runs of 8, 53, and 79 yards.
"That was definitely a concern for us," Sachem North coach Dave Falco said of the offensive line. "The kids have stepped up. The patchwork group that we have there has really come together."
Dalton Crossan opened the scoring on a 20-yard run on the opening possession and Scanna scored on runs of 8 and 53 yards run to make it 21-0 at the half.
Alex Katos had an interception to set up a 28-yard TD pass from Angelo Armine to Bonifacio Aguila early in the third quarter to make it 27-0.
The defense was just as good as the offense with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, which occurred in the end zone.
"The defensive line was blowing the offensive line back every play," Thompson said. "The secondary did a good job covering."
Connetquot standout running back Mike Pellegrino, who left last week's game with a hip pointer, played. Scanna led the defense with nine tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery as Sachem North limited Connetquot (3-1) to 164 yards of offense.
"He's one of the premier players on Long Island on offense and defense," Falco said. "He's probably the best linebacker in the county. Once he's in the open, he's gone."
Sachem North (4-0) lost in the final to Floyd last season after ending Floyd's 48-game regular season winning streak in the first game of the season.
"That was a bad feeling losing in the final," Scanna said. "We don't want to feel that again, especially with many of us in our senior year. We want to come out on top."
