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The bubbles were flowing in Sayville Friday night after the Golden Flashes were crowned Long Island champions.
No — not those kinds of bubbles. These kids are still in high school.
“It’s a tradition here in Sayville,” senior Tristian Vitale told Greater Long Island. “Any time a running back gets over 200 yards, we buy bubbles for the offensive line.”
He may want to throw in some thank-you cards and a meal at their favorite restaurant, too. Vitale rushed for a career-high 239 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Flashes to a 42–35 win over Wantagh. He scored at least once in every quarter, including the one that ultimately sealed the victory.
[Keep scrolling for game photos.]
“It’s not even me, honestly. I give all the credit to my O-line,” Vitale said.
Vitale and his line helped Sayville jump out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter before the Warriors answered with two straight scores to tie it at 14 after one. Another Vitale touchdown briefly put Sayville back on top in the second, but Wantagh’s Carter Loughman connected with Joe Nicholson for a 64-yard strike to make it 21–21 at halftime.
Nicholson scored again to give Wantagh its first lead early in the third. But Sayville had a quick response — just 90 seconds later. Senior quarterback Patrick Coan broke loose for a 64-yard keeper to tie it at 28. He rushed for 229 yards on the night.
“We’ve been doubted all year and we’ve had to battle,” Coan said. “From the moment we lost in last year’s LIC to Garden City, we’ve wanted to get back here.”
Vitale then took over. Two plays after the Sayville defense stopped Wantagh on 4th down, he exploded for a 28-yard touchdown to put the Flashes back in front late in the third. Nine seconds into the fourth, he added his fifth score to make it 42–28.
Wantagh didn’t go quietly. Sophomore standout Luke Martini pulled the Warriors within one score on a 6-yard pass from Loughman with eight minutes left. They recovered the onside kick that followed, but Sayville’s defense forced a turnover on downs.
The Warriors had one more chance after a Sayville punt with 2:23 remaining. They converted two fourth downs before the drive — and the game — ended when Luke Neugebauer intercepted a pass with 25 seconds to go.
“We worked our butts off since last November,” Coan said. “We knew how good this group was, and when everyone doubted us, it lit a fire inside us.”
“These guys are my brothers. I love every single one of them,” Vitale said. “I’ve been playing with them since I was a little 40-pound, 5-year-old kid, and I couldn’t have wished for anything better.”
Game photos
Photos by Jonathan Singh
Top: Sayville senior running back Tristian Vitale (#22) rushes the ball during the Long Island Championship game against Wantagh at James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. (Credit: GLI/Jonathan Singh)
