Sayville's Ashton Bradley (4 TDs) makes the most of his opportunities
Sayville's Ashton Bradley celebrates a touchdown during the Long Island Class III championship game against Plainedge at Stony Brook on Nov. 29, 2015. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
From the doghouse to the end zone.
Sayville running back Ashton Bradley missed the first two weeks of training camp with an injury -- roughly 16 practices, coach Rob Hoss said -- and wasn't in Hoss' good graces early in the season. "In the beginning of the year, I feel like he was in my doghouse for not showing as much toughness as I needed to see," Hoss said.
Fast-forward three months to the Golden Flashes' 59-15 win over Plainedge in the Long Island Class III championship game at LaValle Stadium on Sunday. Bradley was an asset, scoring four touchdowns and totaling 62 yards on 11 carries.
"It was the line," Bradley said of the combined success of Mike Leach, Dennis Hanley, Liam Bailey, Joe Galante and Julian Boesch-Jones. "I have to give it all to the line. They create the holes; I go where I'm supposed to go. I follow them."
Bradley made the most of his 11 attempts, powering past the goal line four times as a secondary running option to quarterback Jack Coan, who rushed for 227 yards and three scores.
"[This] feels great because Jack's obviously amazing, but he can't do everything," Bradley said.
The 5-11 runner said he had a chip on his shoulder during the opening weeks of the season. He wanted to prove to his coaches and teammates that he could be a reliable contributor.
His involvement in the offense increased during Sayville's three playoff games against Rocky Point, Westhampton and East Islip, as he rushed 43 times for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He also made four catches for 112 yards and a score.
"He's been a hell of a player," Hanley said. "He's progressed. He's changed a lot."
Bradley will return as a senior next season, and he said he's most excited about getting more opportunities to run. Expect him to be featured even more than he was in the title game.
"The more and more I trusted him, the more I gave him the ball," Hoss said. "I don't give you the ball if I don't trust you."
