Not a bad way to start your junior season, to break a school record that was 13 years old.
Sachem North’s Kevin Bragaglia grabbed two interceptions in a 35-6 win over Sachem East Wednesday evening and made defensive history by becoming the program’s all-time leader in interceptions. He now has 11, passing Justin Dowling, who recorded 10 in 1999-2000.
After setting a single-season record with nine last year as a sophomore it was only a matter of time before the speedy two-way player would grab N0. 10 and No. 11.
“Coming into the season I knew I was going to have a big role on defense,” he said. “I knew about the record, but wasn’t expecting to break it this early in the season.”
Defense is all about reading plays and training yourself to be in the right place at the right time. It’s not luck, it’s reaction.
On Sachem East’s first offensive play of the game quarterback Danny Wolff eyed receiver Dylan Foisey for a pass on the line of scrimmage. It tipped off Foisey’s fingers and fell into the hands of a diving Bragaglia. Later in the game he was roaming in the secondary when he grabbed another Wolff pass to make program history.
“Brags is a ball hawk,” said Sachem North coach Dave Falco. “We like when people throw it in his direction. Our secondary is pretty good. Brags is an exciting player and only a junior.”
On Wednesday Bragaglia also rushed 10 times for 36 yards and scored a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter to open the game’s scoring for Sachem North.
Considering he has basically two full seasons left, things could get interesting for Brags. With his nine picks last season he was in rarified company. Only 13 players in Long Island history – dating back to the first high school football game in 1884 on the island – have ever recorded 9 or more interceptions in a single season.
The Suffolk County career interception mark is 22 set by West Islip’s Bill McFadden in 1979 and the Long Island record is 32 held by Rick Riccardi from Cold Spring Harbor since 1978.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro