Written by Nicholas Quinn
It was a beautiful late afternoon at Stony Brook University as number 2 seed East Islip geared up to face number 1 seed (and reigning Long Island Champions) Sayville.
Sayville took the opening kick out and the 38 yard return from Kyle Messina had the Golden Flashes in business at their own 42. Unfortunately, penalties would plague Sayvilles opening drive. Leading to a Patrick Coan punt on fourth down that would set up East Islip from their own 28 yard line. Thomas Costarelli would pick up the games 1st first down, keeping it on a read option. Following that up with a Matt Mcintee 11 yard reception. Ryan Parker got East Islip down to the red zone, but a costly penalty would bring the offense back to the Sayville 37 yard line. The drive met its demise when East Islip failed to pick up a 4th and 6, turnover on downs.
Sayville would take over and quickly find themselves in a 3rd and 8. Chants of overrated coming in from the East Islips student section for Sayvilles Kyle Messina who had a hard time finding yards on the ground tonight. However, for what he lacked in the ground game, he more than made up for through the air. Many people including myself thought a late hit call was missed on that 3rd and 8 which would’ve gave Sayville 15 and a fresh set of downs. Ball don’t lie as the kids say because Coan would connect with Anthony Contaldi for a five yard gain. 1st first down for Sayville coming at the 3:15 mark of the first quarter. Sayville starting to find a rhythm and potentially a weakness in this stout East Islip defense. Attacking the edges and hitting corner routes, making East Islip play all 160 feet.
Sayville at midfield for the second time tonight, able to draw a pass interference call moving the ball to the East Islip 34 yard line. Coan would find Dylan Kent for 17 yards, Sayvilles first time in the red zone. Best throw of the day thus far, absolute laser beam. Incomplete on first down, Messina with 2 yards on 2nd down, 3rd and 6 incoming. Coan would find Messina on the 1 yard line, beautiful catch in traffic. 11 yard gain on 3rd down, Messina quieting the East Islip crowd and taking first and goal at the 1 yard line to the second quarter.
On the half yard line everyone in the stadium knew 20 for Sayville was getting the call. East Islip stopped Messina for no gain on 1st down. Alright it was a fluke, give it to 20 again. East Islip STOPPED him again, this time for a loss of 1. 3rd and 2, you can feel the pressure going back to the Golden Flashes Offense to punch this in. Before the 3rd down snap could happen, false start. East Islip crowd coming alive, Sayville takes a delay of game penalty after a false start. East Islips side of the stadium ready to explode if their defense can keep Sayville scoring from a possession that got as close to 1st and goal at the 1. For those who don’t get it, trying to stop Sayville from scoring on the 1 yard line is like playing high school football on expert level mode.
Coan had a hard time handling the 3rd down snap, but luckily Sayville was able to recover and keep possession. This drive that got all the way down to 1st and goal at the 1 yard line would see 4th down and 21. It would go onto be one of the greatest defensive stands I’ve ever seen as Patrick Coan would take a 4th down sack, East Islip takes over at their own 24.
Thomas Costarelli would hook up with Matt Mcintee for a 15 yard gain and move the chains. East Islip did a great job controlling the clock and eliminating possessions Sayville would normally get. Ryan Parker with a shifty 10 yard run, finding open space in the secondary. Getting the crowd on its feet and his offense in Sayville territory. Thomas Costarelli on the next play says look what I can do with my legs as he picks up an elusive 15 yards and wisely slides before meeting any Sayville defenders. Moving the ball to the Sayville 29 yard line. After a few runs, East Islip saw themselves with a 3rd and 2 just outside the red zone. Ryan Parker found himself carrying defensemen to a first down and a red zone appearance. As Sayville attacked corner routes and the flat making it difficult for East Islip, Thomas Costarelli’s QB draw mixed with Ryan Parker had Sayville troubled.
Sayvilles Keith Kolar had a fantastic tackle making it 3rd down and 10 on Sayvilles 15 yard line. Costarelli with a good looking pass just too far out of reach for his receiver, East Islip would line up for the games first field goal and potentially first points of the contest. Field goal would be no good. It had the leg, but it was wide left. Both defenses showing incredible poise in the red zone, bending but refusing break. Sayvilles offense would take over at their own 20 yard line with 3:08 left in the half. Kyle Messina bottled up trying to run through the trenches, his coaches yelling from the sideline that he should cut outside. Back to back runs with Messina and Coan scrambling leads to a 3rd and 7. East Islip defense feeling invincible after their stand on the 1 yard line. Patrick Coan with a dot to who else? Kyle Messina who picks up a monster 3rd down getting the ball to the 42 yard line. Just have to get Messina into open space and he will take care of the rest.
Sayville finding themselves in a 3rd and 5 from their own 47 yard line with 1:14 left in the half. Coan next pass falls incomplete, leaving a tough choice on 4th down. Sayville willing to take a risk as they go for it on fourth down. Coan throws a pass over the head of the intended Dylan Kent who may have stopped on the route. However, East Islip would take over at the Sayville 47 yard line with about a minute left in the half. Thomas Costarelli started the drive with a 9 yard scamper. East Islip decided to run the same play on 2nd down. Sayville was not fooled leaving East Islip with a 3rd an 1 on the 38 yard line with 35 seconds left in the first half. Third down would fall incomplete. 4th and 1, Costarelli with bullet hauled in by Jack Kalinowski down to the 33 yard line. East Islip would get down to the 24 yard line with 11 seconds left causing Sayville to take a defensive timeout. Hoping just to see another field goal attempt instead of giving up the end zone. Costarelli was able to scramble to the 16 yard line with 6 seconds left in the half. Anthony Mariani would drill the 33 yard field goal down the middle, ending the first half with East Islip up 3-0.
When’s the last time Sayville has been shut out at half?
The coolest part of the intermission was when Sayville came back out and was warming up, Jake Tripptree was catching missiles from Patrick Coan 1 handed with ease. Just thought that deserved to be included.
East Islip would would start the third quarter at their own 25 yard line after a 13 yard return from Andrew Cooper. After an incomplete pass and a two yard run, Sayville had a giant opportunity to start the 2nd half with a 3 and out. On 3rd and 8 to go, Thomas Costarelli delivered a strike to Matt Mcintee for a 10 yard gain. Fresh set of downs on East Islips 38 yard line. A 2nd and 9 wide receiver screen pass to Mcintee for a 3 yard gain. Good solid tackle by junior Donovan Bartolotta. 3rd and medium turns into 3rd and short after a Sayville encroachment. Costarelli would keep it himself on 3rd down, but Sayville was ready and held him to no gain. 4th and 2 on their own 46 yard line.
On 4th and 2, Andrew Cooper took the handoff for a 10 yard gain. Moving the chains and getting East Islip into Sayvilles side of the field. 1st and 10 EI at the 44 yard line. Costarelli would connect with Matt Ferraro for another first down. 2nd and 9 from Sayvilles 29 yard line. Costarelli with a 1 yard gain making it 3rd and 8. The third down play went to Andrew Cooper, but Sayville was ready for no gain. However, Sayville got hit with a targeting penalty. East Islip would get the ball on Sayvilles 13 yard line with a fresh set of downs. Cooper would take the first down handoff for 3 yards. 2nd and 7 on the 10 yard line. Costarelli QB draw for five yards setting up 3rd and 2 on the 6 yard line, tackle by Mikey Sands. East Islip runs the same play on 3rd down for no gain, tackle by Keith Kolar. Setting up a very crucial 4th and 2 on Sayvilles 6 yard line.
Thomas Costarelli would take the snap on 4th and 2, roll out and hit Matt Baldino who had a lot of ground to make up to get those two yards. Sayvilles defense got up after tackling Baldino assured that the job was done and it was a turnover on downs. Officials at first glance actually ruled in favor of East Islip and pointed first down. Sayville wouldn’t rest until they got a measurement, rightfully so. The chains were brought out and upon review, Baldino was short. The Sayville crowd erupts as their offense takes over at their own 4 yard line with 4:14 left in third quarter.
1st and 10 from their own 4 yard line, Coan took the snap and scrambled for no gain. Coan connected with Dylan Kent on 2nd down for an eight yard gain giving Sayville breathing room and a more manageable third down. Coan went back to Kent on third down for a 12 yard reception and drive saving first down. 1st and 10 from Sayvilles 25 yard line, potential catch of the game by Luke Hansen making an acrobatic one handed catch along the sideline for a 17 yard gain. Sayville at their 42 yard line, but a false start pushing them back 5 yards. 1st and 15, Patrick Coan hit while throwing, tipped ball that landed in tackle number 57 hands Jake Alliegro for a 2 yard gain. Whenever a lineman gets to catch a a crazy ball like that, its special to witness. However, 2nd and 13 turned into 3rd and 13 on Sayvilles own 39 yard line.
East Islip saw the moment and how big a stop could be, so they called a timeout to regroup. Even ME in the stands said that’s a good defensive timeout with under 2 minutes in 3rd quarter.
Man, was I wrong. This next moment had me questioning everything I knew about ball.
Sayville brought out something they haven’t used all game, a Kyle Messina screen pass. And after some nifty moves, that Kyle Messina screen passed turned into Kyle Messina touchdown. 61 yards, All YAC (Yards after catch). Messina showing his versatility that if the ground game isn’t there, he can still beat you through the air. Sayville on top 7-3 with 1:33 left in the third quarter. Shoutout Sayville special teams for the squib kickoff, it was electric.
East Islip takes over at their own 30 yard line. Right back to Matt Mcintee for 7 yards from Costarelli, easy pitch and catch. Costarelli one yard draw on second down. 3rd and 2 from the 32 yard line. On third down Thomas Costarelli took the snap, didn’t like the pocket so he rolled out to his right, and a potential catch that was ruled out deep down East Islip sidelines. Anthony Contaldi contested the catch just enough to get East Islip outside the boundary. EI punts on fourth down, Sayville takes over on their own 29 yard line. Incomplete passes on first and second down bringing the third quarter to a close. 7-3 Sayville after 36 minutes of man football.
Sayville opened the fourth quarter on their own 29 yard line with a 3rd and 10. Patrick Coan dropped back and threw a medium pass that was incredibly intercepted by Jack Kalinowski at East Islips 49 yard line. Kalinowski read Coan the entire way.
Can East Islip answer the bell? 1st and 10 EI at their own 49 yard line.
After a run for negative 2 yards and an incomplete pass, EI was staring at 3rd and long. Thomas Costarelli found Jack Kalinowski for a first down, big time throw. 1st and 10 from Sayvilles 38 yard line. QB draw which the defense was ready for, but a face mask on Sayville gave EI a fresh set of downs and 5 yards. (A face mask being a 5 yard penalty is underserving, it should be at least 10)
However, 1st and 10 EI at the 27 yard line. Andrew Cooper tackled by Alex Labella for a five yard loss, 2nd and 15 from the 32 yard line. The game clock hitting just under 10 minutes left in the game.
Thomas Costarelli hit as he throws, still manages to get off a great pass which Matt Mcintee goes up and gets for a 30 yard big play gain. Mcintee went up and GOT that.
East Islip with 1st and goal on Sayvilles 2 yard line. Andrew Cooper says let me take it from here as he punches it in from 2 yards out. EI 10, Sayville 7. 9 minutes flat left in the contest.
After a solid 35 yard run back by Luke Hansen, Sayville would take over at their own 41 yard line. Coan would take the snap, roll out to his left and take the yards he can get. Potentially taking a late hit out of bounds which was not called. Sayville wanted a flag, but didn’t get one. A 2nd and 9 handoff to Kyle Messina who’s able to shrug off a few tacklers just to get back to the line of scrimmage. The East Islip crowd getting loud, Coan would find Dylan Kent on 3rd down for a 5 yard gain. 4th and 4 coming from Sayvilles 47 yard line. Coan looking for his safety blanket Kyle Messina, unfortunately throws it just out the reach where Messina was able to get a hand on it, but couldn’t haul it in. Messina laying on the turf for about 10 seconds after head down, but it was going to be a challenging ball to bring in. However, EI would take over up 3 at Sayvilles 47 yard line with 7:09 left in the Class 3 Suffolk County Championship.
A false start would take East Islip back into their own territory for a moment. 1st and 15 from their own 48 yard line. EI with a couple of tricks and reverse handoffs ultimately fall in the hands of Matt Mcintee for a 2 yard gain bringing them right at midfield. The next pass would be a deep shot that fell incomplete, but a personal foul on Sayville gave EI 15 yards and a fresh set of downs.
1st and 10 at Sayvilles 35 yard line with 6:24 remaining. Andrew Cooper would run into a wall which would be Jackson Neugebauer for no gain. 2nd and 10 QB draw from Costarelli which was read by Sayville perfectly for yet again, no gain. Tackle made by Landon Garrett. Costarelli on 3rd and 10 would find Matt Baldino for a 7 yard gain. 4th and 3 timeout by Sayville with the ball on their own 28 yard line. 4:56 left in the contest.
4th and 3, Costarelli would take the snap, drop back and find Andrew Cooper for a screen who does the rest. All 28 yards of YAC for an East Islip touchdown. Coopers 2nd touchdown of the game. 17-7 with 4:45 left in the contest at Lavalle.
Sayville would go 4 and out on their next series only lasting about a minute. EI would take over at Sayvilles 33 yard line with 3:53 left, trying to milk as much clock as possible. Sayville would call their final timeout at 3:17 with EI facing a 4th and 10. Costarelli would take the snap and ultimately punt the ball down to Sayvilles 6 yard line. A short, but very effective punt with Sayville taking over with 3:09 left down 10.
Messina would haul in the 1st down pass for 6 yards. Unfortunately would be shaken up on the play causing an officials timeout. Thankfully he was able to walk off under his own power. Sayville unfortunately wouldn’t gain another yard without him. All incompletions on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down was a drop, but nevertheless still an incomplete pass.
East Islip would take over 1st and 10 at Sayvilles 12 yard line in victory formation. Taking knees all 4 downs while calling timeouts when the play clock hits 1 second just to make sure they take off the max time they can. Sayville would take over at their own 20 yard line with just 22 seconds left. Not even attempting a play, just taking a knee themselves and handing the ball to the official.
Final: (2) East Islip 17, (1) Sayville 7
Shoutout Sayville for 22 games straight, but East Islip is your 2023 Suffolk County Champions.
NQs Thoughts
2 years ago, East Islip would beat Sayville in the Suffolk County Championship game 35-28. Sayville was running a 2 man QB System with senior Jack Smalley and freshman Kyle Messina. Tonight you had senior Jake Tripptree and sophomore Patrick Coan and I just kept getting flashbacks of maybe Sayville should stick with their eldest and more experienced option. With the fact that Jake Tripptree has played and WON in these big games. Unless there’s something the general public is unaware of, Jake Tripptree definitely deserved a few series tonight. I’ve never seen Sayville get shutout in a half in my life.
