By Steven Zaitz
Points were at a premium on Saturday, as the Bellport Clippers scored the only touchdown of the game, beating Northport 7-0, in a soggy Suffolk Conference II matchup.
After a scoreless first half, Bellport running back Kingston John took a handoff 46 yards up the left sideline, leaping over Tiger defender Joey Zarcone at the 10-yard line, and prancing into the end zone, with four and half minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The teams combined for just over 300 yards of total offense, as the wet weather conditions kept the game between the 20s for most of the afternoon. Also detrimental to Northport was a third-quarter injury to starting quarterback Enrique Hernandez. He did not return, as backup Simon Blissett finished the game. Combined, the two Tiger quarterbacks completed only five passes for 39 yards.
Thirty-one of those yards came on a deep pass to running back Greyson Cabrera, as Northport made a bid for the tying score with three minutes left in the game. Cabrera’s lunging catch put the ball at midfield, and after two scrambles by Blissett and a completion to tailback Luke Loiacono, the Tigers had first and goal at the 10.
An inside handoff to Asher Levine got the ball to the one yard, which set up a 4th and 1, with time ticking away. Blissett rolled to his right, but his pass intended for Cabrera was batted down by Bellport lineman Jaheim Talford, ending Northport’s chances to tie the game.
Both teams are now 2-1 on the season. Bellport will take on winless Copiague, Oct. 5, as Northport will host 2023 Conference II champion North Babylon.
— Photos by Steven Zaitz
