North Wraps Up Pre-Season With North Babylon Scrimmage (Photos)

Chalk up the sluggish opening plays to a 5:30 a.m. wakeup for most players and an adjustment to the high grass on the field at North Babylon High School.

It didn’t take long for Sachem North to draw the ohs and ahs from its fans like they're used to. One 25-yard run here, a 35-yard touchdown pass there, a Crossan-brother wild cat extravaganza here and you realize just how potent Sachem’s offense will be once again this season.

Their defense wasn't too shabby either, barely allowing North Babylon to muster much ground.

“Anytime you come out of a scrimmage you see a lot of positive things, you see some negative things,” said Sachem coach Dave Falco after their final pre-season test Saturday morning against the Bulldogs from Suffolk County's Division II.

Sachem outscored North Babylon, four touchdowns to one, in the scrimmage, which was a timed full-length game. Since score is not officially kept, we’d still be remised if you didn’t know that the actual game ended in Sachem's favor, 28-6.

Dalton Crossan rushed for around 100 yards and three touchdowns, including a 25-yard scramble for a score in the first half and a 35-yard reception for a touchdown from his brother Trent on the next offensive series. Prior to that he ran 70 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back thanks to a penalty at the line.

His other touchdown came during their two-minute drill in the final seconds of the first half. Sachem, in a wild cat set, allows Dalton to take the snap at center and use his magic. He shaked and baked his way for a 25-yard touchdown to make it 21-6.

“We’re trying to put him in the best position we can to use his talents,” said Falco.

North Babylon’s only spark on offense was a 65-yard run up the middle for a touchdown, but the Bulldogs missed their point-after attempt.

Sachem’s Bryan Morris, entering his sophomore season as kicker, converted on all four PAT attempts.

Falco reverted back to the theme he preached after their six-way scrimmage on Thursday, that the Flaming Arrows need to practice with more intensity and competition to be ready for game day.

There is competition at the wing, full back and tight end positions, as well as the line.

Sachem will see some grass fields this year, but a majority of its games will be played on turf, where “we’re going to be very dynamic,” Falco said. “I’m happy with where we are, but we have a long way to go.”

Names like Malik Pierre and Kevin Lathan popped up on the radar Saturday. Pierre had one impressive 35-yard rush in the second half. Lathan scored Sachem’s final touchdown on a 10-yard rush, and later recorded a 65-yard rush from scrimmage.

If Lathan, a junior, progresses, he’ll open up Tyler Andreassi and Vinny Fragale at the full back position.

Fourth and Long

• Connor Harris, an injured lineman, will be eligible to play early next week, Falco said. Nick DiRosse saw action at offensive line, having missed Thursday’s scrimmage.
• Trent Crossan took extra snaps in the second half at quarterback as he assimilates himself into the new position. He converted the one touchdown pass to his brother, and missed another passing attempt earlier in the game.
• Although Sachem has scrimmaged North Babylon for a number of seasons in the modern era, they haven’t played a regular season or playoff game against the Bulldogs since 1987. Sachem is 10-5 all-time and have outscored North Babylon, 294-208.
• Sachem will travel to Bay Shore next Saturday at 2 p.m. for its season opener.
• Stay tuned to Sachem Patch for season previews, Week 1 previews, 50th anniversary football coverage, 25th anniversary Rutgers Trophy coverage and all the Sachem football stories you can handle throughout the season.