Seaford, Brian Falk look to avenge LIC loss to Bayport-Blue Point from two seasons ago

Two years ago, Bayport–Blue Point and Seaford met in the Long Island Class IV championship game. It was a 42-20 Bayport–Blue Point victory, and now these programs meet again with new faces all over the field. And this time, it’s not two undefeated teams — the journey was different, but the destination was the same.

Bayport–Blue Point is making its fourth straight Long Island Championship appearance. This time, the Phantoms suffered back-to-back losses to Babylon and Mount Sinai on its path.

“We haven’t lost two home games in a very long time,” coach Mike Zafonte said. “It was tough for the kids emotionally to process that, but to their credit and to our coaches’ credit we stood the course. We made adjustments and we had a great game against John Glenn, who is a tough team, and that was a real turning point.”

In the county championship, Bayport–Blue Point (9-2) found itself down by 14 to Babylon before storming back to win. Quarterback Colin Clark had 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win.

“We stuck together as a team the whole time,” Clark said. “We never got too high, we never got too low. We went down early, but our defense got a safety and we were right back in it. It was a great team effort.”

Now the Phantoms face Seaford, which is 10-1. Both coaches harped on the same key to win this game: own the trenches. In their respective county championships, both teams’ line play proved to be an X-factor in getting a victory.

Bayport–Blue Point has blocked well with a strong group featuring tight end Patrick Ahearn and offensive linemen Charles Crisera, Nehemiah Meade, Blake Romano and the rest of their unit.

“They (Seaford) are tough kids,” Zafonte said. “They have a big defensive line, and they look very tough up front, and they have some great athletes.”

“The trenches are everything. I think the team that plays the most physical for the longest will be the team that walks away with the win.”

In Seaford’s county championship win, it flipped the script against Plainedge. After a 35-0 loss in the regular season, the Vikings won, 21-7, in the county final. A big reason was their defensive line unit of Jack Rosen, Matthew Kind, Connor Campbell and Ayden McNamara.

“Campbell, our nose guard, had the best game of his career,” coach Mike McHugh said. “Kind, Rosen — our defensive line was getting to those outside runs and was disruptive all game.”

“They (Bayport) have a bunch of big guys up front,” McHugh said. “We will come up with a game plan and try to execute. It all starts in the trenches, and whoever wins that battle will probably win the game.”

On offense, Seaford came out passing much more in the county final compared to the first meeting. Quarterback Michael Spinella connected with Brian Hennessy for two touchdowns, including one right before halftime. Seaford took a 21-0 halftime lead against Plainedge.

“That championship game showed who we were,” McHugh said. “We played our style of football. The first drive we ran the ball, we threw the ball, and it was Seaford football executing the game plan. That drive set the tone for the game.”

Seaford also features one of Long Island’s top running backs in senior Brian Falk. The West Point lacrosse commit has 4,354 career rushing yards, including 1,395 this season with 20 rushing touchdowns. After losing to BBP in his sophomore year, he now has another opportunity in the exact same game.

“It’s just destiny, it’s a full-circle moment,” Falk said. “I’m playing with my boys, and we have a real chance at redemption against the team we lost to two years ago. And it’s perfect we’re getting another shot this year.”