Lucas Singleton isn’t the first Sachem running back to rush for 285-plus yards in a game, but under the bright Friday night lights to open the playoffs against a team that has had Sachem’s number for years, he turned in a masterful and memorable performance that surely will open the county’s eyes.
Singleton, only a junior, recorded 25 carries, 289 yards, and 4 touchdowns in the Suffolk County Division I quarterfinals to lead Sachem (7-2) to a 42-10 victory against Walt Whitman (4-5).
This is the second-best playoff performance by a Sachem running back since Michael Murphy’s 315 yards against Northport in 1989. Singleton’s 289 yards rank as the seventh most rushing yards in a single-game in Sachem history. He is also the eighth player in Sachem history to score four or more touchdowns in a game.
“I started being a lot more patient,” he said. “I fixed that a lot throughout the season. The linemen set a huge edge, and I was able to stay patient and find the big holes, make people miss, and create some big runs.”
He turned in touchdowns of 22, 80, 4 and 7 yards, respectively. His 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter put Sachem ahead 14-10, and the Flaming Arrows never looked back.
Singleton also reached 1,000-career rushing yards on Friday. He ranks No. 27 all-time in Sachem history and is in prime position to climb the record books with a deep playoff push and successful senior campaign.
Sachem awaits its semifinal opponent as more Division I playoff games occur on Saturday afternoon.
“The mentality is going to be the same,” he said. “A little more intense. Go big or go home. We’re going to have a good week of practice, come back here to hopefully a good atmosphere and get the job done.”
-Photo credit Ray Nelson