Northport Tigers celebrate a hard-earned win against Bellport in their season opener
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The Northport Tigers opened up their regular season with a home game against a tough Bellport Clippers team this past Saturday, September 11. Below, Tiger dad and on-the-field contributor John Mohlmann provides commentary on the Tigers’ “truly incredible” 17-14 victory.
The Northport football team began its season at home, on a day when we remembered the horrifying events of 20 years ago and honored the bravery of so many on 9/11/2001. In attendance for the coin toss was former Northport quarterback Trevor Campbell. Trevor is a retired US Army captain who also served as a captain in the Army Rangers. The pregame ceremony was quite moving and very classy, a perfect prelude to an exciting game.
After exchanging punts on each team's first possession, the Tigers had the ball back.
Quarterback Owen Johansen connected with Drew Miller for a 12-yard reception that resulted in a first down. On the ensuing play, Johansen hit Jack Sandrib in stride across the middle of the field. Jack got to the outside and it was off to the races as he cut upfield and made it all the way to the two-yard line before he was dragged out of bounds for a 50-yard gain. The drive stalled, however, and JJ Ahlstrand came onto the field to put a 28-yard field goal right through the center of the uprights.
The Clippers would go on to score a touchdown from ten yards out, putting the Tigers down 7-3 to end the half.
I asked Jack Sandrib how the team felt at halftime. “We came out of halftime with a chip on our shoulder,” he said, quick to respond. And it showed. The Clippers first drive of the second half was ended quickly with a nice interception from Jack Helrigel. Now, the Tigers were in business. On third down JJ Ahlstrand got separation from the defensive back and Johansen drilled a spiral right into his hands for a 20-yard touchdown strike. When asked how he got so open, Ahlstrand said: “I gave him my signature juke. I cut in, he bit, and I zipped toward the end zone.”
The Tigers were now up 10-7 with the D taking the field. Again, Northport came up big by forcing the Clippers to punt. With the ball back, the Tigers had a promising drive stall on them.
The ball went back to Bellport at the start of the fourth quarter. Johansen recovered a Clippers’ fumble and the Tiger offense was primed to add to their slim lead. A Tiger penalty pushed them back and put them in four-down territory. On 4th and 8 Johansen hooked up with Drew Miller for a clutch reception that was good enough for a first down.
On a third and goal from the four-yard-line, the Tigers were in position to pad their lead.
Running back Dan Eagers told Coach “Boomer,” the team’s offensive coordinator, with confidence: “I am getting in the end zone.” Very prophetic. He took the hand-off up the gut of the Clipper defense for a touchdown.
JJ nailed the extra point and the Tigers had a 10-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter. This game however, was far from over. The Clippers drove 70 yards down the field and punched it in the end zone with three minutes left in the game. They added the extra point, lessening the Tiger lead to 17-14.
On the kickoff, the Clippers special teams unit recovered the onside kick with time still on the clock to tie it up or take the lead. After a short gain on first down, the Tiger D stepped up. An errant snap by Bellport forced them into a third-and-long. On the next play, senior John Deceglia burst through the Bellport line and sacked the quarterback, putting the Clippers in desperation mode. A Hail Mary got broken up by cornerback Aidan Campbell and the Tigers took over on downs.
Patrick Sweeney came in to replace Johansen, took two snaps and the time expired. This was a hard-earned Tiger win. They go on the road next week to play against the West Islip Lions Friday, September 17, at 6pm. If you enjoyed this game, just wait until next week.
