Friday’s contest between the Ward Melville Patriots and the Longwood Lions was a heavily anticipated rematch of last season’s Suffolk County Championship. However, the Patriots again took care of business.
Longwood’s offense looked solid on the first drive of the game. It took them just six plays to open up the scoring, as early on quarterback Caleib Corbett hit wideout Ryan Mandaro in the back of the endzone for a touchdown. However, a swift rushing attack split between running backs Griffin Kramer and Daniel Brausch, quarterback Ethan Burgos, and receiver Brody Morgan, let Melville match the score immediately with a 15 yard rush up the middle by Kramer.
Longwood would respond with a methodical drive, running the ball downfield with running back Nnamdi Nwanyanwu. This drive would culminate with a 1 yard rush into the end zone by Corbett to make it 14-7. Brausch anchored the next drive for Melville, breaking off multiple runs over 10 yards. And a gutsy fourth down pass by Burgos found Morgan in the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown pass.
The turning point of the game, however, would come on the next drive as the defense stepped up big time. Corbett fumbled to be recovered by Ward Melville’s defense. Kramer would run just 3 times for 24 yards straight into the end zone for the first Melville lead of the day: 21-14. Melville’s defense would then force a three and out and the offense would run out the clock for the half.
Melville would open the door again for Longwood, fumbling in their opening of the half. But the defense stepped up once again, causing a turnover on downs, setting up by 3 runs by Kramer. Burgos would run 44 yards across 2 plays for the score and a two-touchdown lead.
Longwood was stuffed on three plays, and a third down sack by senior C.J. Ward. The final nail in the coffin was a beautiful 40 yard touchdown by Burgos, hitting Morgan in stride for the score. Melville rounded out the third quarter with a score of 35-14.
The next drive looked momentarily promising for Longwood. But, back-to-back plays with unsportsmanlike penalties and a tackle by Kramer, for a loss of 7 on third down, caused a 4th down and 51 yard punt.
Corbett would find his way to the end zone once more in garbage time, and Burgos kneeled out the remaining clock for a 35-21 Senior Day victory.
Ward Melville’s defense held Corbett to just 5/14 passing and stunted Longwood’s running game in the second half. Griffin Kramer picked up 2 rushing touchdowns on 95 yards. Burgos ran for 74 yards with 3 total touchdowns, two of which were of the passing variety, with Morgan being the beneficiary of each. Ward Melville moved to 6-1 with the impressive victory over Longwood, only trailing their sole loss, William Floyd, for first place.
