Football: SWR celebrates its sad anniversary with a big win

Motivation was not an issue for the Shoreham-Wading River football team on Friday night. Rival Mount Sinai was in town for a scheduled clash between the only two unbeaten teams in Suffolk County Division IV, both tied for first place.

And yet, that may not have been the biggest motivator.

Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the tragic death of Thomas Cutinella, a SWR player who died while playing in an Elwood / John Glenn game.

The Wildcats sought to honor his memory in the best possible way. They put on their golden “TOMMY TOUGH” jerseys, which they usually reserve for playoff games. “It was a big night, so we thought it was right to bring him out,” senior Dylan Kiely told reporters afterwards.

Before the game, they visited a monument with a statue of Cutinella. Zack Wilson, wearing a retired Cutinella’s No. 54 banner, led the Wildcats as they charged onto the field named after Cutinella. And then the Wildcats fought fiercely against a tough Mount Sinai team, stopping a late Mustang training in the lows to maintain a 20-13 triumph. It was SWR’s 18th consecutive victory over a three-year period.

Cutinella would have warmly approved it.

“Every time you beat Mount Sinai it’s a good win,” said SWR coach Aden Smith, “because you know they are going to be prepared, they are going to want to beat you and they are going to fight you. for four quarters, so it’s a great victory.

SWR (4-0) had taken a 20-0 lead on Dylan Zahn’s 33-yard touchdown pass down the straight to a Liam Leonard streak, followed by Max Barone’s two-point run with 2 minutes and 25 seconds to play in the third quarter.

“When the big games were there we hit them,” Barone said.

But Mount Sinai (3-1) was not done. Devin Carros’ 58-yard pass to James Carretta allowed Carretta to throw a 2-yard TD late in the quarter. Three plays in the fourth, Carretta returned a 70-yard punt for a touchdown, making it a one-run game.

Mount Sinai recovered an SWR fumble at the Mustangs 23-yard line with 1:19 to go. On the next play, Gavin Takacs received a 36-yard reception to bring the ball into SWR territory, but the Wildcats held on, smashing a fourth pass with 17 seconds left. Zahn then knelt down to end it.

“They play us hard, you know,” Smith said. “We found a way to, you know, get a win and, you know, our kids believe and they fight hard for four quarters, 48 ​​minutes, every game. That’s what we preach. And it boiled down to the last two seconds here.

SWR defeated Mount Sinai in the last three Suffolk Division IV Finals. They are familiar enemies.

“Our biggest rival has definitely been Mount Sinai for years,” Kiely said. “Only people know each other. They chew out of season, in season, so it gets pretty hectic.

Mount Sinai was not complete. Not only did the Mustangs lack their No.1 quarterback, Joseph Spallina (torn meniscus), they were also less their No.2 QB, Jaden Rotella (collarbone), and top receiver, Jake Lumley (collarbone). , said coach Vinnie Ammirato. . The starting task went to third-string quarterback Carretta, who split the time behind cross with Devin Carros.

“It’s a testament to their program,” Smith said. “If it’s their number three quarterback, it looks like they haven’t missed a beat offensively. “

Neither did Barone, who ran 145 yards on 27 carries. He burst into the middle for 13 yards, his 10th rushing touchdown of the season. Zahn ran for 69 yards, a 7-yard touchdown and a 120-yard pass.

Kiely (two catches, 77 yards) said SWR was waiting for the right time to call passes when the Mount Sinai safeties crept in.

“These are the good times,” he said, adding: “Virgil Romer, our offensive coordinator, is a great offensive coordinator. He knows what he’s doing.