T-birds’ Comeback Falls Short On Homecoming

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
The Thunderbirds break onto the field after halftime on Saturday.

By Andrew Wroblewski
awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
Stephen Khan, no. 47, and the Thunderbirds ready for kickoff on Saturday.

The Thunderbirds mounted a comeback that ultimately fell one point short in Saturday’s homecoming game against the visiting Huntington Blue Devils.

Hills East, which dropped to 2-4 in Suffolk Division II on the season, never led in the game, but did score 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit down to one.

Hills East trailed 14-6 at halftime, and Huntington scored a touchdown in the third quarter. The score remained 20-6 until the fourth quarter when Josh Garvin rushed for his second touchdown of the day.

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
Hills East’s Kenny Chavez bursts through a hole in Huntington’s defense.

With 1:13 left to play in the game, Garvin rushed for his third touchdown to make the score 20-19. The Thunderbirds then tried a two-point conversion, but it failed.

 Hills East now has two games remaining on its schedule following this week’s bye. First, they’ll travel to North Babylon for a scheduled 2 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 22. Then, the Thunderbirds will close out the regular season with a scheduled 2 p.m. game at West Islip on Oct. 29.

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
Caitlin Allsopp and Paul Ibuzor are this year's homecoming queen and king

Away from the game, fans flocked to High School East to participate in homecoming activities. First, a parade marched from Signal Hill Elementary to the high school. The crowd, which soon filled the stands, was then introduced to this year’s homecoming court. At halftime, it was revealed that Paul Ibuzor and Caitlin Allsopp were respectively named homecoming king and queen.

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
The High School East Dixettes perform on Saturday during halftime.

The High School East marching band, cheerleaders and Dixettes took care of the halftime show with their respective routines

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
High School East’s marching band plays during halftime on Saturday.