Trent Crossan, check. Tyler Andreassi, check. Malik Pierre, check. Anthony Ross, check. Kevin Bragaglia, check. And just when you thought Sachem’s grocery list of weapons was finished, in comes Kevin Lathan. Checkmate.
For the third straight week, Sachem dominated on the offensive side of the ball, trouncing Patchogue-Medford, 51-14, during a homecoming performance at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium Friday night. What’s more, however, was Sachem’s ability to bounce back defensively and keep the Raiders in check differently than last week’s game against Bay Shore.
“We had to come out and we made some drastic changes in our techniques and our attitude with how we play defense,” said Sachem head coach Dave Falco.
READ MORE: Bryan Morris kicking his way to history at Sachem
As a result, Sachem recorded three interceptions, five sacks and one fumble recovery. From Andreassi leading the charge as a middle linebacker to Steve Mills and Nick DeRossi taking strong stances in their leadership roles on the line, Sachem looked superior against Pat-Med.
Crossan put up his usual marquee numbers, rushing eight times for 213 yards and two touchdowns. In the second quarter, his 56-yard touchdown run down field and eventually cross field was highlight reel material. His final rush, a 68-yard burst to open the third quarter ended with some hesitation as he voluntarily went out of bounds at Patchogue-Medford’s 13-yard line when he felt his hamstring tweak. He’s been nursing hamstring and ACL injuries since last season.
Sachem already had a commanding 34-7 lead coming out of halftime. No Crossan for the final drive of that series. No problem. Backup quarterback Mike O’Donnell, who filled in for Crossan in his absence after Week 4 last season, led the Flaming Arrows for the remainder of the game. Bryan Morris advanced Sachem’s lead to 37-7 with his first career field goal, a 31-yard shot that validated his three years of varsity work to this point without ever recording an attempt.
On Sachem’s next offensive series, O’Donnell hit Lathan with a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 44-7. Bragaglia put the proverbial icing on the cake thanks to an electric 56-yard touchdown with 1:03 remaining.
READ MORE: Sachem to honor ’77 team on Oct. 19
PHOTOS: Check out more images from Friday night’s Sachem victory
Fourth and Long
- Falco on coaching against his nephew, Patchogue receiver James Conklin: “It’s uncomfortable playing relatives when the score is what it is. I’m excited for him. He’s going to be a good player.” Conklin made one reception and returned a kick late in the game.
- Patchogue-Medford was led by quarterback Jack Keough, who was 13-for-19 passing for 143 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Receiver Connor Coughlin caught 5 passes for 85 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Bragaglia continues to flourish in multiple situations. He had 5 carries for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns on offense and also had 1 interception on defense. He scored on touchdowns of 56 and 61 yards.
- Lathan, who finished with 62 yards on 6 carries, had three sacks in the same series during the fourth quarter.
- Sachem continues to be the highest scoring offense on Long Island, scoring 41 or more points in its first three games this season, including a program-record 63 in Week 2.
- Morris kicked career extra point No. 100 Friday night. He’s now three away from breaking the all-time Long Island extra point record held by Jonathan Korn from William Floyd.
- Stay logged in to The Sachem Report this weekend for the usual stat-focused and historical notes about the significance of Friday’s game in Sachem football history.
Scoring summary
S: Andreassi, 7 run, no kick
S: Crossan, 5 run, no kick
S: Lathan, 7 run, Morris kick
P: Keough to Coughlin, 13 pass, no kick
S: Crossan, 56 run, two-point conversion
S: Bragaglia, 61 run, Morris kick
S: Morris field goal
S: O’Donnell to Lathan, 10 pass, Morris kick
P: No. 35, 28 run, kick good
S: Bragaglia, 56 run, Morris kick
-Words and photos by Chris R. Vaccaro