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TBR News Media covers everything happening on the North Shore of Suffolk County from Cold Spring Harbor to Wading River.

Northport football roars back to life after quarantine, tames Huntington 23-6

by TBR Staff - March 30, 2021

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by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

[email protected]

Many eyes of the Long Island football universe were focused on the South Shore last Saturday, March 27.

However, there was an important contest that took place on the North Shore, too. The Northport football Tigers were back in business and business was booming.

Booming with pad-popping tackles and the pounding of bass drums. Booming with explosive hits over the middle, running backs and quarterbacks thrown around like rag dolls and bellowing voices cheering from all corners of Tiger Stadium. A March day in 2021 time-warped to a typical October afternoon in any other year, as Northport lowered the boom on crosstown Huntington, 23-6.

After taking a week off due to pandemic protocols, the Tiger defense was as ferocious as ever, stifling and suffocating Huntington’s offense. Making matters worse for the Blue Devils, they lost All-State running back Nasir Youngblood to a foot injury early in the second half. He was held in check even before the injury, finishing with 31 quiet yards on eight carries.

The leader of this band of mayhem-making marauders is linebacker Anthony Canales. But could he possibly top his superlative performance against Connetquot from two weeks ago?

Sixteen total tackles? Ridiculous.

Four tackles for loss including a sack? Silly.

Add in two passes batted down and five or six bone-crunching hits and we are talking about quite an encore from Opening Day, and outstanding enough to be one of Newsday’s top players of Week 3.

“Anthony has great linebacker instincts, plain and simple,” said Head Coach Pat Campbell. “He knows how to fill a window and when he sees a gap that he can get through, he flies through that gap and gets there and makes plays.”

Canales, who celebrated Senior Day on this sun-splashed Saturday, doesn’t just put up gawdy numbers. He establishes and enforces an attitude on defense that makes an impression with the opposing team. For instance, early in the game Huntington receiver John Chirico came over the middle in an attempt to make a short reception. Canales separated the intended receiver not only from the ball, but from his mouth guard as well. The Northport side of the field hooted and hollered with delight and Chirico didn’t run that particular pass pattern for the rest of the day.

“He cleaned that kid up”, said Campbell. “The thing about Anthony is that when he gets there, he gets there with bad intentions.”

The entire defense has had plenty of bad intentions in both Tiger wins this year. It’s a hard-hitting and speedy bunch that is always on the attack, giving offenses absolutely no room to operate. Defensive Linemen Cole Ronan, Dan Lugo and Ryan Farrington were in the Devils’ backfield all day long, disrupting whatever Huntington tried to do.

“Our defensive line eats up blockers like crazy,” Canales said. “It makes it easier for me to run downhill and get the ball carrier. That’s what I love to do.”

They have allowed an average of 93 total yards in two contests and a grand total of six points. Those points scored on this day by the Blue Devils was a garbage time touchdown when the game was no longer in doubt.

The likeable linebacker had extra motivation as Huntington has always been an archrival of Northport, as the two schools sit five miles apart.

“We took this game personally,” Canales said. “There is no way we were going to let our crosstown rivals beat us, especially on Senior Day. No way!”

The Tiger offense, which was very run-heavy in the opening win against Connetquot, had a nicer balance to it against Huntington. Quarterback Conner Gallagher had six completions for 73 yards, including a super accurate rainbow to senior running back Rafe Carner for an 18-yard touchdown in the 1st quarter.

“We were practicing that play all week and we liked the matchup we had in that down and distance,” Gallagher said. “Once Rafe had a step on his defender, I tried to drop it in. Rafe made a great catch.”

“Conner had to make an adjustment because Rafe got knocked off his original route,” Campbell said. “It was a nice throw and a good, athletic play by Rafe.”

Gallagher had another touchdown on a quarterback sneak and Northport is 2-0. They have again cracked Newsday’s Top Ten Power Rankings and their next matchup is at Smithtown East, who got bullied by Bellport 46-14 on Saturday — but all is not roses for the Tigers. Starting Center Joe Keller-DelPrete suffered a knee injury in the third quarter and was replaced by Canales’ brother Andrew. Keller-DelPrete is one of the team leaders and when he went down the festive atmosphere of the afternoon became muted.

“He’s one of our big-time leaders, an energy guy, a vocal guy and he’s going to be hard to replace,” Campbell said. “But you have to be a ‘next-man-up’ type of crew and I think we are.”

Another issue the Tigers need to address is the fumbling of the football. They have lost six of them in their two games.

“We have some things we got to fix for sure,” Campbell said. “You don’t win a lot of football games turning the ball over as much as we have. It’s a lack of focus and it has to be our primary job – to take care of the football.”

So far, the defense has bailed them out of dicey situations caused by these turnovers. One of those defenders, sophomore Owen Johansen had eight tackles, including a safety. Huntington, who made it obvious that they were playing their first game of the year, sloppily snapped the ball over its punter’s head and Johansen tackled him in the Devil end zone.

“That was a big momentum shift for us,” Johansen said. “I think the tide really turned for us after that.”

Johansen’s not kidding. After his play made the score 16-0, senior Rocco Stola showed off one of the many tools he has in his football tool belt — his blazing speed.

He took the free kick 69 yards straight up the middle, blew past three or four white-shirted Blue Devils for a touchdown. There wasn’t a Huntington player within 15 yards of Stola when he crossed the goal line.

“Perfect blocking,” said Stola, who plays on all three units of the football team. “As I saw the kick coming towards me, I knew I had to score. I thought I was a bit late for a split second, but I ran my fastest, I saw the hole and I wasn’t going to let anyone catch me.”

“We all knew he was gone as soon as he touched that ball,” Canales said.

Rocco’s run closed the scoring for Northport at 23 and put a ribbon on this one, for all practical purposes.

Oh, and in that game on the South Shore, Sayville beat Floyd. But lest people forget, there are good football teams north of I-495 as well.

Don’t pretend like you care about Asian Americans

Opinion

by TBR Staff - March 30, 2021

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By Harry To

After I started paying closer attention to politics, I’ve noticed a dichotomy in the way some Republicans treat Asian Americans.

I say Republicans, because most Democrats, as ineffectual as they may be in combating systemic racism, at least acknowledge that it exists.

This is in stark contrast to Republicans, who have referred to Asians in insulting ways to my face, and denied that they were racist, all in the same interaction.

On one hand, Asian Americans are placed on a pedestal, framed as the “model minority” of which other minorities (often implying Black people) should follow the lead. A group too white to be a minority, but too minority to be white.

Of course, this view disregards the fact that Asian Americans are the poorest group in New York City, and country-wide income averages are skewed by recent Asian immigrants.

On another, Asian Americans are the communist invaders bringing about “cultural Marxism,” while also being the perpetrators of COVID-19, or “China virus,” as former President Donald Trump (R) likes to call it. Meanwhile, conservatives will deny that the use of the term “China virus” has led to a rise in anti-Asian sentiment.

Asian Americans have even been used as pawns in promoting right-wing policies. When affirmative action was making rounds in the news, a prominent conservative lawyer, Edward Blum, did everything he could to dismantle it.

For Fisher II, a supreme court case that had the backing of prominent Republican politicians, Blum strategized that he specifically “needed Asian plaintiffs” to gain leverage in his attempts to dismantle affirmative action, a policy where 70% of Asian Americans are in favor.

Now, Asian hate crimes are up nearly 150%, and conservative media would rather scapegoat Black people while denying its role in perpetuating anti-Asian sentiment. Trump referred to COVDI-19 as the “China virus” on Fox News the same night eight people were murdered in Atlanta — six of whom were Asian women.

In many ways, this reminds me of how Muslims were treated in the aftermath of 9/11. Hate crimes spiked, and people who weren’t even Muslim were murdered in the name of patriotism.

At the same time, Muslims were gaslighted into believing that the hatred wasn’t against Muslims as a whole, but just terrorists. Now, the xenophobic rhetoric that conservative outlets adopted after the events of 9/11 has found a new target: Asian Americans.

The same cultural ignorance that led to everybody from the Middle East becoming demonized is the same cultural ignorance that’s leading to everybody from Asia becoming demonized.

A fear I have is that the pandemic will become a tipping point in the way Asians are perceived in this country. Like how anti-Muslim sentiment grew and persisted over the decades, becoming a talking point for Republican policies such as the Muslim travel ban or Trump’s attempt at a Muslim registry.

This rise in anti-Asian sentiment has affected the lives of many Asians around the world, including myself.

Many of my peers are scared to go outside in public, afraid that they may be harassed simply because they look different.

Some I know have started buying pepper spray, and fortified their businesses in fear of vandalism.

My parents even persuade me to take expensive Uber rides rather than take the subway because they’re afraid that I might become a statistic.

Most important to me, however, is that this past year has been a reminder that conservatives have been on the wrong side of almost every issue. Women’s rights, civil rights, and slavery.

Three turning points in American history where most of us look back and realize that they were good things, even if at the time the country didn’t realize it. But on every issue, conservatives have been on the wrong side.

Now, the largest civil rights movement in history, Black Lives Matter, is marching in the street to protest systemic injustices.

Recently, Asian Americans started marching in the street to condemn the rise in hate crimes.

But what have conservatives marched for? They marched for the anti-suffrage movement in an attempt to deny women equal rights. They marched for the anti-civil rights movement in an attempt to deny minorities equal rights. And they marched into the capital, in a delusional attempt to subvert the election.

If anything, this is just another example of why unity between marginalized groups is so important. Because in every instance, conservatives have attempted and failed to make our lives more difficult.

As individuals, we are weak, but as a collective, nobody can mess with us. We just have to remember that when one of us falls, that’s one less ally in the fight against hate.

First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

— Martin Niemöller

Harry To is a journalism major at Stony Brook University

UPDATE: Suffolk County Police search for missing Nesconset girl

by TBR Staff - March 27, 2021

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UPDATE: Mykenzie McMillan was located, unharmed.

The Suffolk County Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for a missing Nesconset teen.

Mykenzie McMillan, 15, was last seen leaving her residence, located on Browns Road, on foot on March 26 at approximately 5:30 p.m. She was reported missing today at approximately 12:10 a.m.

McMillan is white, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 130 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a white sweatshirt and black leggings.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on McMillan’s location to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or call 911.

PJS/Terryville Chamber of Commerce spotlight: Backstage Studio of Dance

Port Times Record

by TBR Staff - March 27, 2021

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pjst chamber winner, — Gwenn Capodieci, co-owner of Backstage Studio of Dance, was the recipient of two recent awards. Photo from PJSTCC

By Joan Nickeson

Backstage Studio of Dance, located at Three Roads Plaza in Port Jefferson Station, is the winner of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award.

Additionally, ‘Backstage’ has won the runner-up award of the Small Business Recovery Grant from the Brookhaven Coalition of Chambers of Commerce. This second place win is an exception this year.

“There were just so many deserving applicants, we needed to make accommodations,” said B.C.C.C. board member, and PJS/T Chamber of Commerce President, Jennifer Dzvonar.

With the news of her wins, co-owner Gwenn Capodieci said, “We are honored to be chosen by the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce and the B.C.C.C. The grants will help us acquire training equipment and studio improvements for our students and student teachers.”

Additionally, they need an advertising sign to better reach students during registration days.

Capodieci explained their dance education philosophy and reflected on their success at building up students’ resiliency.

“I have personally seen shy students blossom and their confidence and strength improve as they go through our programs,” she said.

In fact, when they put COVID-19 restrictions into place last March, she and the staff put 62 of their dance classes up on zoom, at their scheduled time.

“We knew these kids needed consistency in their lives,” she said. “The students will benefit from these grants in a variety of ways this year.”

Backstage Studio of Dance is currently in the midst of their 35th year. They’re located at the intersection of routes 347 and 112, at Canal Road. Contact them at 631-331-5766 or backstagestudioofdance.com.

Joan Nickeson is an active member of the PJS/Terryville community and community liaison to the PJS/T Chamber of Commerce.

Photo of the Week

by TBR Staff - March 26, 2021

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CHARADRIUS MELODUS SIGHTING

Tom Caruso of Smithtown went to Short Beach in Nissequogue on March 13 and came upon his favorite shorebird. He writes, ‘I was walking along the beach when I caught something moving from the corner of my eye. After a few seconds I realized that it was this piping plover moving through the reeds that washed up on the shore. I followed it for a while and was able to snap several pictures of it.

Send your Photo of the Week to [email protected]

Editorial: Investigation before action

by TBR Staff - March 25, 2021

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Andrew Cuomo at podium 2019_Sara-Megan Walsh 3 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) File photo by Sara Meghan Walsh

To hear that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has been accused of sexual harassment is distressing, but to read that many elected officials would like to see the governor resign or be impeached is just as disappointing.

While all of the women’s allegations should be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, Cuomo just like any other American deserves due process. Innocent until proven guilty is one of the cornerstones of our democracy. He deserves that process, too.

To ask the governor to resign or impeach him, would not only go against due process, but it would go against the wishes of the majority of New Yorkers who voted him in office.

We understand that Cuomo has exhibited behavior in the past that may seem aggressive or arrogant. The potential that he could have committed such acts is there, but until the alleged victims and witnesses are thoroughly questioned, a decision about his future as New York governor must be put on hold.

No matter what the outcome, this is a lesson for all. For men, it’s time to understand that women are their equals and must be treated as such. Women are not playthings or ornaments to be ogled or fondled at a man’s desire. Females just like males have talents and skills and contribute to society. Just like their male counterparts, they have the right to feel comfortable in their workplace and every space for that matter.

The 20th century is more than 20 years behind us. Women are more than wives and mothers, they are teachers, doctors, lawyers, legislators, journalists, scientists, CEOs and so much more. It is time to recognize and respect the strides women have taken throughout the decades by treating them with the respect they deserve. No person should ever feel uncomfortable in any circumstance, especially in a workplace, because they feel someone will touch them in inappropriate places or talk about uncomfortable topics.

But it still happens. No matter how many sexual harassment trainings there are, there is always someone somewhere who thinks it doesn’t apply to them.

And it doesn’t have to be someone inappropriately touching you or making you do something you don’t wish to do. It could be a remark, a comment, an email or a note. We’ve seen and heard it all. For years, women didn’t want to speak up. They felt like they couldn’t. Now, thanks to the #MeToo movement and other women sharing their stories, they are able to discuss what they’ve been through and people are now listening.

For women, this is a reminder to speak up when we see something inappropriate. If someone crosses the line, it’s OK to say, “No,” or “Stop.” Or, whatever you need to say or do to make the behavior stop. If it continues, have the strength to report the person to human resources and file a complaint. Even in social situations, it’s OK to tell family and friends you will no longer be at social gatherings if a certain person attends.

Of course, as human beings, we all have different boundaries and senses of humor, but if you laugh at a joke that you know women will find offensive, don’t hesitate to say, “I know I laughed, but others may find that inappropriate.”

Last but not least, we must educate our boys and girls. It’s important that they learn that everyone should be treated equally. We must always take their pains and discomforts seriously, ask the right questions to get to the heart of the matter. This way they can forge ahead in life knowing that if they feel boundaries have been crossed, they have the confidence to speak up.

Women and men have been at odds for too long. It’s time to unite. It starts today with respect for all and believing that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Comsewogue/Miller Place golf falls to Sachem

by TBR Staff - March 25, 2021

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By Diana Fehling

The athletes had great weather at Middle Island Country Club, when the Comsewogue/Miller Place combined golf team went against Sachem on March 22.

Sachem won 8-1.

— Photos by Diana Fehling

Local county worker leaves hospital after long COVID stay

by TBR Staff - March 24, 2021

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mather clapout 1, iryna — Dennis Harrington alongside his wife, Maggie, after departing Mather Hospital to a clap-out with hospital staff, friends and family. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

By Iryna Shkurhan

Dennis Harrington, 65, of Miller Place, was battling COVID-19 as one of Mather Hospital’s long-term patients until he was discharged this week to his family and friends.

Outside the Port Jefferson hospital on March 17, friends, family and hospital staff held a “clap-out” for him, cheering him on as he was released.

During his 76-day stay, Harrington was intubated more than once, but ultimately survived his lengthy battle with the virus. Upon his discharge from the hospital, he was applauded as he was pushed through two lines of supporters holding thoughtful posters.

At the end of the line, an ambulance was waiting to take him to St. Charles Rehabilitation to continue his recovery.

“I felt all the prayers and they gave me strength,” Harrington said.

He has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. Prior to his hospitalization, he had been an investigator for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. His roles included investigating crimes in the county by gathering evidence and assisting prosecutors with finding and interviewing witnesses.

“He does tremendous work for the office to secure justice on behalf of all the residents in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tim Sini (D). “But this is some of his best work yet, coming out of this.”

Sini, who has worked closely with Harrington over the years, came out to show his support for Harrington and his family, as well as for Mather Hospital itself.

Maggie Harrington thanked the hospital doctors, nurses, administration, housekeepers, physical and occupational therapists, and also “the man upstairs” for her husband’s tumultuous recovery. “By any means this man should be dead,” she said.

“There were some scary moments with Dennis, and we all came together as a community,” said Patricia Bonventre, a friend of the family, adding she was not surprised by the large turnout for Harrington’s release and saw many familiar faces in the crowd.

“I didn’t think I would make it,” Harrington said. “Thank you for everything. It really kept me going.”

Field hockey powers Smithtown East and Northport have epic battle

by TBR Staff - March 23, 2021

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By Steven Zaitz

Sixty regulation minutes was not enough.

The extra 10 in overtime could not decide it either.

When the Northport Tigers field hockey team invaded Smithtown East March 22, the matchup pitted two of the elite teams on Long Island. They needed a shootout to decide it, and it was Smithtown East goaltender Gianna Festa who stood tall.

She did not allow a goal in the shootout, stopping all four Northport attempts. Dani Brady, one of Long Island’s top players scored on her mano y mano with Northport goalie Natalie McKenna, who was also excellent, that decided it for the Bulls. The final score was officially 2-1.

Festa, who had 12 saves in addition to her four stops in the shootout, sparked a wild, equipment-flinging celebration seconds after making her final stop. Brady, teammate Sydney Anderson and Northport’s Sophia Bica are all listed on Newsday’s Top 25 players of Long Island, but it was Festa that earned the Most Valuable Player of this star-studded affair, making several acrobatic saves throughout regulation, overtime and the shootout.

This game was a hard-fought war and the survivor — Smithtown East — has now equaled Northport’s record of 5-1. Ward-Melville, who beat Sachem East Monday, is atop the Suffolk County leaderboard with a record of 6-0.

Kings Park football outmatched by Hills East on Senior Day

by TBR Staff - March 23, 2021

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By Steven Zaitz

The Kings Park defense did something of a rarity on March 20 against Half Hollow Hills East.

They scored four points on two safeties. That’s a pretty neat trick.

Unfortunately for the Kingsmen, Hills East superstar Quarterback Leisaan Hibbert rushed for four touchdowns, as the Thunderbirds cruised to a 35-4 victory in this non-league matchup in Kings Park on Senior Appreciation Day. Touchdowns are much better than safeties.

The Kingsmen, having drawn two tough matchups to start the season, are now 0-2 and have been outscored by a combined 93-10. They lost this year’s opener to Sayville in a rematch of the 2019 Suffolk County Division III semifinal playoff game. In so many ways, that playoff game seems like it was a 100 years ago.

As for Hills East, in their two games, Hibbert has rushed for seven touchdowns with three against Malverne and four on this day against Kings Park. He rambled for 195 yards against the Kingsmen, running around, through, and over the K.P. defense in a variety of ways. The Kingsmen had no answer for running backs Jared Gallub and Kris Tillis either, as the Thunderbirds rolled up over 300 rushing yards on the afternoon. Tillis took the second play from scrimmage 45 yards for a touchdown and Hills East never looked back.

On this spring-like Saturday, the artificial turf and the sun might have been a factor in conditioning, but both teams had to play on the same field. The Kingsman simply got their crowns handed to them.

Kings Park starting quarterback Jonathan Borkowski was harried and hassled all day, with defensive linemen Obiri and Konadu Boadu setting up shop in the Kingsmen backfield from the opening gun — both of whom refusing to leave. Hills East had six sacks and Middle Linebacker Josh Isaacs had one of those sacks. The leading tackler on Hills East Team was Gallub with 11 tackles. James O’Melia replaced Borkowski in the 4^th Quarter but fared no better.

It doesn’t get any easier for Kings Park, as they host Westhampton Beach Friday, March 26. The Hurricanes blew away Centereach 48-0 on Saturday, have won both their games and are ranked fourth in Newsday’s Top Ten Small School poll for all of Long Island.

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TBR Staff

Northport football roars back to life after quarantine, tames Huntington 23-6

Don’t pretend like you care about Asian Americans

UPDATE: Suffolk County Police search for missing Nesconset girl

PJS/Terryville Chamber of Commerce spotlight: Backstage Studio of Dance

Photo of the Week

Editorial: Investigation before action

Comsewogue/Miller Place golf falls to Sachem

Local county worker leaves hospital after long COVID stay

Field hockey powers Smithtown East and Northport have epic battle

Kings Park football outmatched by Hills East on Senior Day

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