Football: As some things change, others stay the same
MUSTANGS 34, WILDCATS 7
A season of rejuvenation dealt Shoreham-Wading River one harsh reminder Friday night.
For all the good vibes generated by the Wildcats’ 6-1 start in Division IV this year, Shoreham came into Mount Sinai for its regular season finale and were reminded of a cold fact: The Wildcats have never beaten the Mustangs.
That fact didn’t change Friday.
A near flawless first half propelled the Mustangs to a 34-7 victory, locking up home field advantage for Mount Sinai in the first round of the playoffs next week. Shoreham, which will play in the postseason for the first time since 2008, likely falls to the No. 5 seed pitting it against Babylon. Mount Sinai likely will host Port Jefferson. The exact power points will be determined after Saturday’s games.
The Wildcats finished the regular season 6-2, equaling their best mark since 2006 when they lost in the first round of the playoffs to Mount Sinai.
Nothing went right for the Wildcats Friday. The offense never got on track and early in the game the Wildcats had enough trouble simply trying to snap the ball. Four of their first six plays from scrimmage resulted in a fumbled snap. One was lost for a turnover, leading directly to the Mustangs’ first touchdown.
It all unraveled from there.
Mount Sinai’s defense suffocated Shoreham from the outset. The Mustangs were often in the backfield making plays before the Wildcats’ play could even develop.
The Mustangs used an equally impressive aerial attack to go alongside their typically strong rushing attack. Quarterback Austin Kay completed all six pass attempts for 153 yards and a touchdown. On the ground brothers Mike and Mark Donadio tore through the Shoreham defense. Mike tallied 142 yards with a touchdown. Mark scored three times and rushed for 72 yards.
At halftime the Mustangs led 27-0. Mount Sinai had 268 yards of offense compared to 11 for Shoreham.
The Wildcats’ first first down came on a pass interference penalty midway through the third quarter. They picked up a first down through the air on the same drive when quarterback Kevin Kelley completed a pass to Chris Mahoney. The drive, however, ended in a turnover on a fumble after a pass completion just a yard from the end zone.
The Wildcats got on the board for the only time with 5:17 left in the fourth when Joe Longo scored from six yards out.
