A Day After Starting, Babylon Finishes Rout For First Victory

Nearly 22 hours after the game had started, the Babylon Panthers were finally able to put an end to their first regular season victory of the 2013 season.

The varsity football team picked up right where they left off in the perfect 12-0 2012 season, routing the Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms 48-7 in a game at Coach Williams Memorial Field.

The same offensive formula that powered the 2012 Long Island Champions worked again in game one. And it was the same offensive power with defensive prowess that put the game out of reach by half-time, with Babylon leading 41-0.

Lightning delayed the game, however, until Friday afternoon. The Phantoms finally pushed a touchdown across in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, but Babylon senior Eric Schweitzer would have none of it, returning the next kick back 90 yards for the final Babylon touchdown.

Schweitzer led the Panther attack during the nearly 23-hour game, with three touchdowns on the game – two rushing and one receiving.

"Schweitzer had a big day," coach Rick Punzone said. "Carlock, too. It's nothing I can say about those guys I haven't said before... a good opening start for them."

Senior Jake Carlock also caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Nick Santorelli, who threw four scoring passes on the day.

"They're all very unselfish players, cheering each other on, just great kids," Punzone said.

The game gave Coach Punzone almost an entire half to use his second and third stringers, and gave the starting crew some rest time.

"So far, so good," Punzone said with a grin.

The Panthers continue their 2013 season next week on September 20 against Shoreham-Wading River at home at 6 p.m.