Sachem Downs Northport Behind Crossans' Six TDs (Video/Photos)

Coming off a Week 1 loss to Brentwood, Northport worked towards defending Sachem North this week and its main threat, the Crossan brothers.

By the time Friday’s contest was all said and done, however, Northport had little answers for the Sachem duo, who combined for six touchdowns, 365 rushing yards and helped lead the Flaming Arrows to a 42-25 victory over the Tigers at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium.

After only carrying the ball 10 times in Week 1 against Bay Shore, Dalton Crossan was given the keys to the offense this time around, carrying 22 times for a career-high 210 yards and four touchdowns. He bested his 170 yards and four touchdowns he put up against Northport in the Suffolk County Division I semifinals last season.

Younger brother Trent rushed 18 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns and was 3-for-5 passing for 24 yards.

“They kept feeding me and feeding me and eventually I broke some long runs,” said Dalton, who now has eight touchdowns in two games, “and the offensive line blocked amazingly.”

Northport (0-2) experienced success with its passing game as quarterback Sean Gilroy put on a clinic in the slot. He was 9-for-12 for 137 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

The Tigers only trailed 14-13 at halftime, but Sachem (2-0) made adjustments on both sides of the ball and continued to pound hard with its ground game in the second half.

Leading 21-13 in the third quarter, Sachem’s Cody Petillo forced Jon Benitez to fumble on his own 48-yard line, allowing Dalton Crossan to eventually score his third touchdown seven plays later and give Sachem a two-possession lead for the rest of the game.

While Ryan Kokell’s 60-yard run came when Northport was down 28-13 in the fourth quarter and Gilroy’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Brian Wallace with 1:49 remaining wasn’t enough, the Tigers still gave Sachem a headache defensively for four quarters.

“We’re not making excuses, we just have to get better,” said Northport coach Kip Lukralle. “We got better every day this week, including tonight, even though the score doesn’t indicate that. We’re a little disappointed, but we’re not discouraged by anything.”

Kokell led Northport with 19 carries and 144 yards.  

Again Sachem walks away content with victory, but still waiting for a flawless execution. Fumbles on the snap and a handful of offensive penalties – seven resulting in a loss of yardage – leaves much to be desired in Black & Gold country.

“A win is a win,” said Sachem coach Dave Falco. “No one said they’re all going to be pretty.”

Fourth and Long

• Next up: Sachem hosts West Islip in Week 3, Friday, September 23 at 7 p.m. Aside from it being homecoming, it’s the first time in 25 years that Sachem has played West Islip. The last time they played was in the 1986 Suffolk County championship, a 14-0 Sachem win. Northport will host Bay Shore on Saturday, September 24 at 1:30 p.m.
• Trent Crossan on improving at quarterback: “I felt a lot better this week than in Week 1, just taking snaps under center. It’s getting easier and easier every week. I’m trying to take as many snaps as I can before practice, after practice.”
• Sachem is 19-3-2 all-time against Northport dating back to their first game in 1975. The Flaming Arrows have won nine of their last 11 contests against the Tigers. Sachem has outscored Northport, 629-344, overall.
• Stat notes: Ken Raddigan caught 4 passes for 50 yards for Northport. Malike Pierre rushed 5 times for 40 yards for Sachem.
• Sachem out gained Northport, 450-324, in total offense.

                        1          2          3         4           F

Sachem           7          7          7         21        42

Northport        0          13        0         12        25

-S: D. Crossan, 15 yards, Morris XP

-N: Gilroy to Benitez, 21 yards, XP

-S: T. Crossan, 20 yards, Morris XP

-N: Gilroy to Wallace, 38 yards, Missed 2PT

-S: D. Crossan, 21 yards, Morris XP

-S: D. Crossan, 27 yards, Morris XP

-N: Kokell, 60 yards, Missed 2PT

-S. D. Crossan, 4 yards, Morris XP

-N: Gilroy to Wallace, 22 yards, Missed 2PT

-S: T. Crossan, 52 yards, Morris XP