Babylon Topples East Hampton, Advances to Suffolk Semi-Finals

For the second straight week, the Babylon Panthers took it to the East Hampton Bonackers in the opening round of the Suffolk County Division IV football playoffs, besting the team 53-8.

The number-one seed in their division for the second year in a row, the Panthers hit the ground running on their 2013 playoff push – literally. Senior Eric Schweitzer returned a fumble 16 yards for the first score in the opening quarter for Babylon, and it was only a sign of things to come.

Schweitzer alone scored two more touchdowns in the first quarter as a part of a massive 33 point outburst by the perfect Panthers. Schweitzer caught a 10 yard pass from quarterback Nick Santorelli for the second score, putting Babylon up 12-0. Minutes later, he built up the lead further with a 31 yard dash to the end zone for a huge 26-0 lead.

The Panthers topped off their amazing first quarter with a 49 yard pass from Santorelli to senior Jake Carlock to make it 33-0.

Santorelli did some record-breaking on his part for a short day from the pocket. His three passes for 73 yards helped him top his own single-season passing yards record with 1,215 this season, topping last year's record of 1,153. He chucked two touchdown passes on the day.

Babylon scored all 53 points in the first three quarters before allowing a late 62 yard rushing touchdown by East Hampton's Cortland Heneveld.

The Panthers improve to a school-best 21-0 in their last 21 games, including nine straight this season alone.

The Panthers will head to the semi-finals to face Shoreham-Wading River at home this Friday at 6 p.m.