Colts Run Away With Suffolk Championship
/By Anthony Hidalgo
info@longislandergroup.com
Hills West junior receiver Jeff Terry (top) runs into the end zone after an 88-yard touchdown pas
The Half Hollow Hills West Colts (8-2) took home their first championship in seven years with a 38-20 win over the previously undefeated West Islip Lions on Saturday at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium.
After losing in the county finals in each of the last two seasons, Hills West wins the title after knocking off third-seeded North Babylon and top-seeded West Islip in back to back weeks.
Going into the game as the underdog, the Colts looked to take control of the game early. Already up 3-0, Hills West sophomore quarterback Gerald Filardi linked up with senior wide receiver Cameron Jordan for a 30-yard touchdown to put the Colts up 10-0.
Later in the quarter it was sophomore running back Deyvon Wright who rushed for the Colts’ third touchdown of the first quarter to jump out to a 17-0 lead.
West Islip would got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 36-yard rushing touchdown from Jake Guercio. Hills West answered with a touchdown of its own in the form of a 59-yard pass from Filardi to Jordan.
The half would end 24-7 in favor of the Colts.
Hills West wasted no time to score coming out of the half. On the second play of the third quarter, junior receiver Jeff Terry caught an 88-yard touchdown pass to extend the Colts’ lead to 31-7. West Islip would score in the third quarter to cut down Hills West’s lead to 31-14.
After Wright’s second touchdown of the day, and a 3-yard touchdown rush by West Islip’s Guercio, the score heading into the fourth quarter was 38-20.
The fourth quarter was ultimately scoreless as Hills West came up with key defensive stops to end any chance of a comeback from West Islip.
The win secures Hills West’s first county championship since 2009.
The Colts will return to Stony Brook University on Sunday as they look forward to the Long Island Division II Championship game. They’re set to take on Nassau Division II champion Garden City at 12 noon. Admission is $7.
