Xavier Arline can make a lot out of a little. In fact, he thrives on it.
Even with his Shoreham-Wading River team down its head coach coming into the season home opener against Bayport-Blue Point Friday, he had no problem leading the charge in the Wildcats’ 41-7 pounding.
The senior quarterback/cornerback racked up 204 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 20 carries. He scored three of them in the first half for a 21-7 lead at halftime.
“It would be nice to say I’ll take all that, but it’s a team game,” Arline said. “This couldn’t be done without the preparation each week and the protection from the line in front of me. I’m blessed to have great players by my side.”
The Wildcats found out earlier in the day that head coach Aden Smith had been “removed” from his position.
“The district is currently investigating an incident involving the varsity football team’s head coach,” Superintendent Gerard Poole said in an email. “The incident took place during a scrimmage against Islip on August 30, 2019. While this investigation is underway, the head coach has been removed and the current assistant coaches will be leading the team.”
The Aug. 30 scrimmage involved multiple teams at Islip High School, which is common as teams prepare for the season. Islip, Bayport-Blue Point, Connetquot, Sachem North and Sayville were all scheduled to participate, according to the schedule on the Section XI website. Islip Schools Superintendent Ellen Semel said in a statement that a “brief scuffle took place among several players” and that the school was investigating.
“Now, when we face adversity I know we can get through that,” Arline said. “A lot of guys stepped up — a couple of guys that got little time last year that are making a big impact this year.”
Arline’s first score came on Shoreham-Wading River’s first possession. The Wildcats drove 87 yards in 10 plays before Arline punched it in from 7 yards. Jake Eckert kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 with 2:23 left in the first quarter. The kicker made all but one extra-point attempt, and was one of those impressionable players Arline was talking about. The junior who also plays middle linebacker held down the defense.
Another is sophomore running back Max Barone, who, after pushing the ball on a few drives following a Tyler Schwarz interception, scored from 1 yard on that team possession for a 28-7 lead with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
“He’s a beast,” Arline said of Barone.
It was his first varsity touchdown during the regular season. Barone, who was on the junior varsity team last year, was called up for the playoffs and scored a touchdown in a win over Port Jefferson.
“I’m glad I was given an opportunity to contribute to this team,” Barone said. “I hope I can help in any way possible. Shoreham-Wading River has a winning tradition, and I want to be a part of it. It feels good to be a part of it.”
On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Anthony Giordano recovered a fumble at the Phantoms’ 47. Arline soon added his fourth touchdown on an 8-yard run for a 35-7 lead.
“We’re not supposed to peak now,” he said. “We’re supposed to peak halfway through the season. We adjusted throughout the game though, which I thought was really big.”
The Wildcats, the defending Suffolk County Division IV champions (10-2 last year) who are ranked No. 1 this season, picked up their fourth Suffolk County title in five years before falling to Cold Spring Harbor in the Long Island final. Three consecutive titles were collected from 2014-16. Arline accounted for over 3,1000 yards of offense and 43 touchdowns (33 rushing) in 2018.
“We’ve had a long string of success and we’ve come so far,” Arline said, thinking back to his younger years on the team, and how it’s guided him to lead the team the last two seasons. “It’s emotional. All the emotions were coming up pregame sitting on the bench with my headphones on thinking about how this is my last ride. I care about these guys so much, and I don’t want to let them down. While we did let up a couple of big plays, that’s going to happen. If we just limit those things, I think the sky’s the limit for us.”
