{"id":118204,"date":"2023-11-12T11:05:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T16:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/?p=118204"},"modified":"2023-11-12T11:05:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-12T16:05:59","slug":"shoreham-wading-river-punches-ticket-into-suffolk-county-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2023\/11\/118204\/shoreham-wading-river-punches-ticket-into-suffolk-county-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"Shoreham-Wading River punches ticket into Suffolk County Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Sincere McDougal took Babylon\u2019s opening handoff 57 yards to the house, Shoreham-Wading River knew that the Section XI Conference IV semifinal would be a dogfight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing under the lights Friday night at Babylon High School, McDougal and quarterback Aiden Winters took turns scoring touchdowns for Babylon and though the Wildcats hung around, they had no real answer for the dual attack. Whether it was on the ground or through the air, McDougal and Winters looked to be taking Babylon to the Suffolk County championship. But to the Wildcats\u2019 credit, they fought hard to the finish and ended up scoring 18 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to win 36-35 and earn a spot in the championship game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something just began to click for Shoreham-Wading River (8-2) in that fourth quarter. Trailing by 17 points, the Wildcat\u2019s offensive scheme of option-style football, suddenly changed to more of a drop back and pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Robert O’Rourk photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey were playing zero coverage trying to stop the run,\u201d Aden Smith said. \u201cThat left opportunities for us down the field and we took advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kieran Clifford connected with Liam Kershis on a 39-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 11 after a missed two-point conversion. After forcing a Babylon punt, Clifford again found a touchdown through the air, this time to Michael Iberger, which made the score 35-30 with six minutes left to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the ensuing kickoff, the Wildcats kicked the ball out of bounds which was subsequently called for a penalty. Instead of taking the ball with great field position already because of the penalized yardage, Babylon (7-3) elected to have Shoreham-Wading River kick the ball again, to give McDougal a chance to potentially run it back. The next kick went right into the shifty, speedy receiver\u2019s hands and you could hear groans from the Wildcats\u2019 spectators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” one spectator yelled. “Kick it to anyone but that guy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McDougal sprinted down the sideline but was met with Mike Casey, who dislodged the ball out of his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInstead of going for the tackle, I just punched at the ball,\u201d Casey said. \u201cI felt like he wasn\u2019t holding it securely and I gave it my best whack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe work on stripping the ball in key situations like that all the time in practice,\u201d Smith added. \u201cIt was a game-changing play that made all the difference in the biggest game of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ball bounced about and was recovered by the Wildcats to set up their game-winning drive. After a few running plays and a crucial penalty called against Babylon, the Wildcats were set up on the 22-yard line. Clifford released a pass down the sideline and Kershis corralled it, getting downed on the one-yard line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n