Shoreham-Wading River High School students in the 2018 graduating class toss their caps following the June 23 commencement ceremony. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River High School students listen to the 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
A student shows off his diploma during Shoreham-Wading River High School's 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River valedictorian Christian Wesselborg bids the 2018 class farewell during the commencement ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
A student shows off her diploma during Shoreham-Wading River High School's 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River salutatorian Calvin Schmalzle gives opening remarks to the class of 2018 during the graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
A Shoreham-Wading River High School graduation celebrates with her family following the June 23 commencement ceremony. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Alexandra Meli sings “Go the Distance” from Disney’s Hercules during the 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Joseph Godfrey, at center, is the last of his family to graduate high school during Shoreham-Wading River's 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River Central School District Superintendent Gerard Poole addresses the class of 2018 during the graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
A student after receiving her diploma during Shoreham-Wading River High School's 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River High School Principal and master of ceremonies Frank Pugliese addresses the 2018 graduating class during the commencement ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
A student's decorated cap on display Shoreham-Wading River High School's 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River High School senior Jack Flatley sings the National Anthem during the 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
The band plays during Shoreham-Wading River High School's 2018 graduation ceremony June 23. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River High School seniors were met with applause and cheers as they accepted their diplomas during the class of 2018 commencement ceremony June 23.
After the processional and National Anthem, sung by senior Jack Flatley with ASL interpretation by Victoria Ann Holden, high school Principal Frank Pugliese addressed the crowd. Opening remarks were presented by salutatorian Calvin Schmalzle and senior Alexandra Melt followed him by singing “Go the Distance” from Disney’s Hercules, before valedictorian Christian Wesselborg bid the class farewell.
Students toss their caps in celebration of their graduation day June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point seniors boast big smiles for completing four years of high school following the 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A student gives a thumbs up during the Rocky Point class of 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A student smiles and shows off her diploma during the Rocky Point class of 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A Rocky Point senior celebrates his achievement with his mother following the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A Rocky Point student decorated her cap for the 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A student smiles while receiving his diploma during the Rocky Point class of 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point valedictorian Connor Middleton addresses the class of 2018 June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point seniors shows off where they're receiving their college educations from on their 2018. high school graduation caps June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point High School Principal Susann Crossan addresses the class of 2018 June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A Rocky Point student decorated her cap for the 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point salutatorian Kyle Markland addresses the class of 2018 June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A Rocky Point senior proudly accepts her diploma during the class of 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point seniors following the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point Union Free School District Superintendent Michael Ring speaks to the class of 2018 June 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point High School seniors tossed their caps off in celebration of achieving an education milestone during their graduation ceremony June 22.
The Eagles are officially soaring over the district, displaying decorated caps, some of which showed off where they will be taking their next educational steps and others that displayed words of encouragement like “Let’s fly with your beautiful wings” and “Don’t dream it, be it.”
Rocky Point class of 2018 valedictorian Connor Middleton and salutatorian Kyle Markland addressed the crowd, as did Superintendent Michael Ring and high school Principal Susann Crossan.
Miller Place seniors celebrate their achievement during the 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Miller Place seniors walk through the Panthers float doe the last time during the class of 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Miller Place band members perform during the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Parents applaud the Miller Place class of 2018 graduates during the commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A Miller Place senior accepts her diploma during the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Miller Place Schoo District Superintendent Marianne Cartisano speaks to the class of 2018 during the June 22 commencement ceremony. Photo by Greg Catalano
Miller Place seniors stand up and applaud during the 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A senior decorated her gap for the 2018 Miller Place graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A Miller Place senior accepts his diploma during the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Miller Place seniors during the class of 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A Miller Place seniors walks off the track with pride after accepting his diploma during the 2018 graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A Miller Place senior accepts his diploma during the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A senior decorated her gap for the 2018 Miller Place graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Warm embraces are shared during the 2018 Miller Place graduation ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
A Miller Place senior accepts her diploma during the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22. Photo by Greg Catalano
Miller Place seniors walked across the high school track with pride as the band played during the 2018 commencement ceremony June 22.
Superintendent Marianne Cartisano addressed the crowd along with valedictorian Nicole Cirrito and salutatorian Victoria Calandrino. Students and parents celebrated the class of 2018’s achievements and proudly displayed decorated caps that boasted phrases like “there’s nothing holding me back” and a field goal post to represent the steps taken toward reaching the next level of academic and athletic achievement.
The next couple of months are packed with celebrations, including high school and college proms and graduations. When planning any outdoor festivities, PSEG Long Island urges customers to think carefully
about how they handle Mylar balloons. Though they can make a party more festive, Mylar balloons can also cause power outages when they get loose and come in contact with electrical equipment.
The distinctive metallic coating on Mylar balloons conducts electricity. Because of this, when a Mylar balloon comes in contact with a power line, it can cause a short circuit. This short circuit can lead to power outages, fires and possible injuries.
To reduce the risk of outages and injuries, residents should keep the following safety tips in mind:
• Mylar balloons and other decorations should be kept away from overhead power lines and all utility equipment.
• Make sure balloons are secured to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Keep balloons tethered and attached to the weights at all times.
• Always dispose of Mylar balloons by safely puncturing the balloon in several places to release the helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
• Never touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, toy or other type of debris that is entangled in an overhead power line. Call PSEG Long Island to report the problem at 800-490-0075 so crews can remove the item safely.
Above, a battle scene shot at Benner’s Farm in East Setauket last summer.
Film showcased at SBU’s Staller Center for the Arts
By Talia Amorosano
The wait is over. On Sunday, June 24, an integral piece of U.S. and Long Island history will be revisited in the geographic location where much of it actually took place. At 7 p.m., the Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, will host the first major public screening of “One Life to Give,” a film about the friendship and lives of young American heroes Benjamin Tallmadge and Nathan Hale, whose actions would lead to the creation of a Revolutionary spy ring based on the North Shore of Long Island.
Presented in the Main Theater, doors will open at 6:45 p.m. After a message from publisher Leah Dunaief, a short behind-the-scenes documentary will be shown followed by the main film screening. After a message from the creators, the evening will conclude with a Q&A with the cast and crew. Admission to the event is free, courtesy of TBR News Media. No reservations are necessary.
Cast and crew gather around a camera to view playback last summer.
The film’s co-producer and writer, Michael Tessler, describes the film as an exploration of historical events with a human focus. “After spending several years researching Benjamin Tallmadge and the other heroes featured in our film, I began to look at them not as detached names in a textbook, but more so as real people, with real stories that deserve to be told,” he said.
Dave Morrissey, the actor who portrays Tallmadge in the film, describes his character as a “22-year-old kid,” who, despite his relative youth, is “focused” and “grounded,” propelled into action by the death of his brother at the hands of the British. “When something like that happens to you, you turn into a machine … into something else,” said Morrissey. “If you channel the energy and do what’s right, the possibilities are endless.”
By focusing a metaphorical macro lens on the multidimensional characters of Tallmadge and Hale, the film traverses consequential moments of American history: the Battle of Long Island, the anointing of America’s first spy and the events that would lead to the creation of the Culper Spy Ring, a group of men and women who risked their lives and status to gather British intelligence for the Revolutionary cause.
Though Tessler notes that the film is, at its heart, a drama, he and the film’s director and co-producer Benji Dunaief stress the cast and crew’s commitment to accuracy in their interpretation of historical events.
“The history comes second to the narrative in most [other film adaptations of historical events],” says Dunaief. “Our approach with this film was the exact opposite. We wanted to see where we could find narrative within [pre-existing] history.”
“Many of the lines from the film were plucked directly from the diaries of the heroes themselves,” stated Tessler. “We worked closely with historians and Revolutionary War experts to achieve a level of accuracy usually unseen in such a local production.”
The fact that many scenes from the film were shot in the locations where the events of the real-life narrative took place helped give the visuals a sense of truthfulness and the actors a sense of purpose.
“The location took production to the next level. It’s really crazy how closely related the sets we used were to the actual history,” said Dunaief, who specifically recalls filming at a house that contained wood from Tallmadge’s actual home. “It helped to inspire people in the cast to get into character.”
Morrissey recalls spending a particularly inspiring Fourth of July on Benner’s Farm in East Setauket. “We were filming the war scenes with all the reenactors … in the cabin that we built for the set … in the town where the battles and espionage had really happened. There were fireworks going on in the background while we sang shanty songs. It was amazing.”
The Continental Army shoots off a cannon at Benner’s Farm.
Though locational and historical accuracy played a large role in making filming a success, ultimately, Dunaief and Tessler credit the resonance of “One Life to Give” to an engaged and participatory community. “This was a community effort on all accounts,” says Dunaief, noting the roles that the Benners, Preservation Long Island, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, the Three Village Historical Society and others played to bring “One Life to Give” to fruition.
The fact that the screening will take place at the Staller Center, in the heart of the community that helped bring the film about, represents a full-circle moment for the cast and crew. “We’re calling it a screening but it is so much more,” said Dunaief. “It is a fantastic example of how the community has stood by this film, from beginning to end.”
“We’re beyond honored and humbled to use a screen that has seen some of the greatest independent films in history,” said Tessler. “Stony Brook University has been a wonderful partner and extremely accommodating as we work to bring our local history to life.”
Tessler projects confidence that viewers will leave the screening with a similar sense of gratitude. “This story shows a part of our history that I think will make the audience very proud of the place they call home.”
The future of ‘One Life to Give’:
Michael Tessler and Benji Dunaief plan to show the film at festivals around the country, to conduct a series of screenings on Long Island, and to partner with local historical societies that can use it as an educational tool. Additionally, a sequel to “One Life to Give,” titled “Traitor,” is already in the works. Filming will begin this summer.
The police agent attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages from targeted businesses within the Town of Brookhaven.
The following businesses did not comply with the New York State Liquor Authority and sold an alcoholic beverage to an underage police agent:
25A Gas Plus located at 613 Route 25A in Rocky Point
BP Gas Station located at 367 Route 25A in Rocky Pont
Handy Pantry located at 280 Echo Ave. in Sound Beach
BP Gas Station located at 1470 Middle County Road in Ridge
The following people were charged with NYS penal law 260.20 — first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child. They were issued field appearance tickets and will be arraigned at a later date.
Natwarbhai Patel, 55 of Rocky Point
Alican Mavruk, 54, of Port Jefferson
Amir Riaz, 55, of Riverhead
Nicholas Derosa, 16, of Miller Place
The following businesses complied with the New York State Liquor Authority and refused to sell an alcoholic beverage to an underage police agent:
USA Petroleum located at 681 Route 25A in Rocky Point
BP Gas Station located at 779 Route 25A in Rocky Point
USA Gas Selda Corporation located at 1146 Middle Country Road in Middle Island
Students learn about life cycles while helping to curb Long Island’s growing tick population
Fifty bobwhite quails are being raised at Mount Sinai Elementary School to be released at a park in Ridge. Photo by Kyle Barr
Mount Sinai Elementary School fourth-graders are raising quails to help curb the tick population.
As part of a seven-year program, teacher Kevin Walsh works with students to raise a group of 50 bobwhite quails from eggs in a classroom incubator, then transfers them to a large pen located in the corner of the courtyard under heat lamps. The young students watch their project grow before their eyes and learn about the natural process of life.
“We teach the kids about food chains, about ecosystems, predator-prey relationships and the needs that all our creatures have to survive,” Walsh said. “We teach kids how to properly carefor living animals. It carries with them later in life.”
Mount Sinai Elementary School fourth-graders are in the process of raising 50 bobwhite quails. Photo by Kyle Barr
As similar as the quails are to one another, the fourth-graders who raised them said they could be distinguished by their look and personality.
One is named Michael Jackson, another Brittany, Roadrunner, Scooter and Beyoncé. The kids curled their fingers through links in the mesh fence and called the quails by name to see if they would touch their hands.
“They claim they can tell them apart,” said Walsh as he watched them, laughing. “I’m like, ‘Are you sure?’ They all look the same to me.”
The school received the quail eggs in April and watched the quails hatch inside their classroom incubator. By the end of this month, the quails will have reached the size of a grown man’s fist. By the time they are released in July at Brookhaven State Park in Wading River, the teacher said he expects them to double in size.
“Back when I first started last July, one of the first things I saw out here was [Walsh] standing in the courtyard tending to the quails,” said principal Rob Catlin, who is finishing his first year at the helm of the elementary school. “He’s out there seven days a week. In summers and on Memorial Day weekend — he’s coming in to check on them.”
Quails, as birds who stay close the ground, are a natural predator for ticks, whose population has swelled in recent years. If the problem wasn’t already as front and center as it was for Walsh, two years ago he was infected with Lyme disease, and for days was cooped up in his home suffering pains and a fever.
“We teach the kids about food chains, about ecosystems, predator-prey relationships and the needs that all our creatures have to survive.”
— Kevin Walsh
The disease can be debilitating and infectious, and causes severe headaches, joint aches and tiredness, especially if not treated immediately. Left untreated the disease can potentially cause paralysis in the face, heart palpitations and memory issues.
“Luckily I got the meds really quickly, but I haven’t been that sick in a long time,” Walsh said. “I had aches, pains, a high fever and was sweating like crazy. This project has taken on a more personal meaning since then.”
Superintendent Gordon Brosdal said without Walsh there would be no quails.
“It’s near impossible to find a guy as dedicated as Kevin,” Brosdal said.
Walsh recalled moving to the suburbs of Long Island from the city, and how his mother called his father at work, excited to learn their new home came with a flock of chickens. She later learned they were a flock of brown speckled bobwhite quails.
With changing times, Long Island’s quail population has changed, too, seeing a severe decline due to loss of habitat and excess predation.
“The quail like open landscapes – really sunlit areas,” Walsh said. “And a lot of the places left on Long Island are wooded, heavily forested or turned into developed land.”
Local biologist Eric Powers said household cats have also made a huge dent in population.
“It’s pretty simple math — one plus one,” Powers said. “You add cats to an environment and they just decimate the local ground dwelling animal population, particularly the birds.”
Mount Sinai Elementary School teacher Kevin Walsh shows off one of the 50 bobwhite quails his class is raising. Photo by Kyle Barr
Walsh receives his quails every year through a program developed by Powers back in 2002 for the dual purpose of rejuvenating the local quail population while curbing the rising tick problem, which gets worse every year with a lack of natural predators.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the number of illnesses related to ticks, mosquitos and fleas have tripled from 2004 to 2016, with 69,313 diseases reported from ticks in New York state in that time. In 2013, the CDC estimated that nationally there were 300,000 cases of Lyme disease annually, which is carried by deer tick.
Brosdal’s daughter Erika suffered through the pains of Lyme disease when she was 13 years old. As a father, watching his daughter lay in pain on the couch was heartbreaking.
“She couldn’t breathe,” Brosdal said. “It affected her so terribly – she was an A-grade student until that happened, and then she had to read everything twice. I give her a lot of credit — she’s 44 now and has two master’s degrees and she’s a high school psychologist.”
Brosdal said the quails have an important job to do and “can do a lot of good.”
Powers said multiple schools participate in his program and will release the quails in parks all over Long Island. If any school or group is interested in raising quails, Powers can be contacted through www.yc2n.com.
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Tips and tricks when handling ticks By Desirée Keegan
According to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, over 900 calls were received from people seeking advice from its tick helpline in 2017.
A free tick kit provided by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital includes tweezers, a magnifying glass and sanitizing wipes. Photo by Desirée Keegan
If a tick is found on your body, there are ways to safely remove it:
• Tweezers are the best tool and should be placed as close to the skin as possible — grabbing the tick’s head.
• Pull upward with a slow and steady motion and try to avoid breaking the tick in half. If the head snaps off, know disease transmission is not possible without the entire body.
• Disinfect the bit area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water and contact a physician. Consider placing the tick in a baggie or pill vial.
• Pay attention to your health in the weeks following.
There are also ways to reduce your exposure, like checking for ticks daily, especially under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees or between legs and on the hairline and scalp.
Remove and dry clothing on high heat as soon as possible to kill ticks. They can’t be drowned by washing. You can create a tick-safe yard by mowing frequently and keeping leaves raked. Also be sure to treat dogs and cats.
One tick can carry multiple pathogens. Deer ticks or blacklegged ones have no white markings, are brown or black in color and are very, very small. Both nymph and adult stages can transmit diseases like Lyme and babesiosis.
For more information on handling and treating ticks or for a free removal kit visit www.eastendtickresource.org or call the helpline at 631-726-TICK (8425).
Village of Shoreham Town Hall is located at 80 Woodville Road. Photo by Kyle Barr
The votes are in, and in a landslide election June 19 former deputy mayor Brian Vail has become the new mayor of the Village of Shoreham, garnering 109 of 112 votes cast. The other three were for write-in candidates Len Emma (2) and Brian Mahoney (1). Vail will serve a two-year term as mayor.
Mayor Ed Weiss did not run for re-election.
Gathering a similar number of votes were newcomer Marianne Cogan (106) and trustee Sherry Neff (105), the two running for two, two-year terms as trustee. One write-in ballot was cast for John Bates.
One four-year term for village justice was also up for grabs, and with another lopsided result, David Desmond scooped up 82 of 90 total votes.
The Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe is located at 5 Randall Road in Shoreham. File photo by Wenhao Ma
With close to 9,500 letters signed from all over the world in support, the Wardenclyffe property in Shoreham, home to 20th century inventor and scientist Nikola Tesla’s last standing laboratory, was approved for state historical status June 7.
“From all over the world people responded to us, including individuals, organizations and public officials – it’s really cool,” said Jane Alcorn, president of the board of directors of the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe. “We’re hoping that since it was a unanimous decision on the part of New York State that they will look upon all of that favorably, as well as [see] we had so many international and national supporters.”
Inventor Nikola Tesla’s Shoreham laboratory, built in 1901, is his last lab still standing. TBR News Media
The historic review board at New York State Historic Preservation Office voted unanimously to recommend the property to the state historic register. Jennifer Betsworth, a historic preservation specialist for the state preservation department, said the review board members were enthusiastic to see the application before they even received it.
“They were all excited to see this coming forward,” Betsworth said of the board member’s feelings. “It’s been one of these properties that people have known about for some time, and everyone wanted to see it [have] a positive future.”
The state review board forwarded the application to the federal historical review board under the National Park Service, whose review process should take one to two months. Betsworth said that while the federal review board often looks favorably on New York applications, there is no guarantee it will be accepted.
To prove the case for historic preservation, a historic architect consultant was hired to document the land and its legacy. The Tesla Science Center board members spent a month crafting a 92-page document that went into the specific historic status of the many buildings on the site. But other than the landmark brick building in the center of the property that once was Tesla’s main lab space, many of the other concrete and wood structures on the property were built after Tesla’s time.
Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla. TBR News Media photo
“For us we’re still in a marathon – we still have a lot more running to do,” said Marc Alessi, the science center’s executive director.“But it was nice to make this milestone.”
Having the property listed on the New York historic register allows the science center to apply for state grants that specifically require historic significance. That is important, Alessi said, because the science center is finalizing its master plan this month, which includes finalizing and designing a planned Tesla museum and science center. Though he did not wish to say which buildings he expects to house the museum, AlessI said construction should be finished and the museum open to the public by the end of next year.
“We want to get open to the public as quickly as possible” he said. “Once we open our first building to the public it will be an ongoing project to expand into other buildings on the property.”
Because of the strong public response, Alessi said the science center hopes to involve its international fanbase through more crowdfunding opportunities down the road.
“We know that [the letters came from] the crowd that helped save this place,” Alessi said. “And we want to make sure they stay engaged.”
Long Island's football team celebrates winning the 23rd annual Empire Challenge football game. Photo by Bill Landon
Long Island captains Tommy Heuer of Oceanside, Dylan Laube of Westhampton and Tyler Ammirato of Miller Place prepare for the coin toss. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place free safety Tyler Ammirato gets in on a stop. Photo by Bill Landon
Westhampton's Dylan Laube rushed his way to three touchdowns. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville linebacker Zach Hobbes gets in on a stop. Photo by Bill Landon
Harborfields wide receiver Gavin Buda waits for the ball to drop along the sideline. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place defensive end Matthew McNulty holds back a New York City player. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport quarterback Ryan Walsh throws a deep pass. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place free safety Tyler Ammirato attempts to take down a running back twice his size. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville linebacker Zach Hobbes races after a New York City running back with the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place defensive end Matthew McNulty blocks a New York City opponent. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport quarterback Ryan Walsh throws a pass on the run. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville running back Nicholas Messina bulls his way through a crowd. Photo by Bill Landon
Long Island's football team huddles up after winning the 23rd annual Empire Challenge football game. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River kicker Tyler McAuley is hoisted up by Long Island teammates following the win. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
After a New York City 30-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass, the team went for a two-point conversion to outright win its third straight Empire Challenge football game under Hofstra University’s Friday night lights, but Long Island’s James Lyons, of Sayville, batted away the two-point conversion pass in a 28-27 thriller.
Up to that point Westhampton running back Dylan Laube has been the center of all things Long Island offense June 15, powering his way to three touchdowns — accumulating 151 all-purpose yards. He was voted most outstanding player of the game.
He opened Long Island’s scoring running off left tackle on the opening play of the second quarter and punching into the end zone to help tie the game 7-all.
Miller Place’s Tyler Ammirato, Long Island’s defensive captain, called signals on the field in an attempt to contain an explosive NYC offensive attack. His plan ended up in a Long Island defensive stop to take over on downs, and Laube was back to work on offense. Farmingdale’s Bryan DeFelice made the extra-point kick following Laube’s second touchdown to put Long Island out front 14-7 with three minutes left in the third.
“It’s an awesome experience — you read the paper every week and you see all these guy’s names and to finally meet them and get to play with them,” Ammirato said. “I thought, ‘Our defensive stand right here will be the turning point of this game — we’ve got to get a stop right here,’ but our offense is [also very] talented, they’ll punch it in.”
After NYC retied the game, Harborfields wide receiver Gavin Buda ran a sideline route and grabbed a 39-yard pass from Northport quarterback Ryan Walsh to put Long Island in excellent field position.
Buda, the only athlete in history to be chosen for both the Empire Challenge and the Blue Chip Prospects Grand Slam Challenge baseball game earlier this month, said it was a fitting way to conclude his high school career.
“It’s sad, but this is one of the greatest games I’ve ever played in my life,” Buda said. “To meet all of these great superstars that I’ve played against and I’ve seen on the field, and to be friends with them now and to be their teammates, is just amazing experience that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”
Laube finished what Buda started for a 21-14 advantage to end the scoring for the third. A rare NYC miscue helped Westhampton’s Nola Quinlan pick off a pass and nearly return it for a touchdown before being forced out of bounds with 32 seconds left in the quarter. NYC’s defense was able to make a stop that forced Long Island to try for a 36-yard field goal attempt, which was blocked.
With just over eight minutes left NYC made it a new game 21-all, but Long Island let time tick off the clock on a long drive to three consecutive first downs before Oceanside wide receiver Derek Cruz’s old-school flea-flicker jump ball. Cruz faked continuing his run and tossed the ball back to quarterback Tommy Heuer, who waited for Massapequa wide receiver Owen Glascoe to break free.
Heuer hit Glascoe in the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown pass and DeFelice added his fourth extra-point kick for a 28-21 lead with 41 seconds left, which ended up being the game-winning point.
Ward Melville linebacker Zach Hobbes, who was instrumental in the Patriots’ rout of West Geneseein the state lacrosse championship the weekend prior, was euphoric taking part in his final football game.
“I can’t think of a better way to end my senior year,” Hobbes said. “Winning a state championship and then to play in front of 9,000 people for the last game of my varsity football career, and to get a win like that, it’s an unbelievable experience.”
With time running out NYC went hurry-up offense and hit three consecutive pass plays down the sideline, getting out of bounds each time to stop the clock and save what precious seconds remained. With five seconds left, NYC quarterback Mike Nicosia threw the Hail Mary to the left corner of the end zone, where he found Titus Leo, who made the catch as time expired.
“That was a crazy experience — that’s just how I expected the game to go,” Buda said. “I knew both teams would put up a fight and right when we scored that last touchdown I knew you could not count them out. We had to make a defensive stop, but they drove down; they’re a great team. Our defense came up with a humongous stop and that sealed the deal.”
Shoreham-Wading River’s Tyler McAuley was unable to play in the 23rd annual Empire Challenge football game. Ward Melville outside linebacker Thomas Kutchma and running back Nicholas Messina; Miller Place defensive end Matthew McNulty; and Northport quarterback Ryan Walsh were other area athletes that took part in the senior all-star game.
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