Panthers Maul Phantoms in 21-0 Romp

Today was Trevor Fudim's day on the field.

The Babylon Panther led his team to a resounding victory in the Suffolk County football semifinals against Bayport-Blue Point, beating the Phantoms 21-0, as Fudim rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

His game play was exactly what Babylon Panther Coach Rick Punzone expected. Earlier this week the coach said this of his team's running game: "We're a run team. We live and die by the run and Trevor [Fudim]'s the guy in a close game that we give the ball to."

The Panthers didn't just live with their running game today. They thrived with it as the Panthers controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage.       

"Our line was really getting the push," Fudim said. "There were some plays where Bayport stopped me, but I just stayed patient."            

Babylon came into the game having defeated Bayport earlier in the season, 45-21, capitalizing on early turnovers by the Phantoms.

So when Phantom running back Jack Sheehan fumbled at his own 17, midway through the first quarter, the Panthers once again had an early opportunity to take the lead.

Quarterback Sam Zamet led his team to the Bayport one-yard line, where Fudim then went up the middle for the game's first score. Andrew Hurst's extra point gave Babylon an early 7-0 lead.            

"We played hard, but we made a few mistakes and Babylon capitalized on it," said Bayport linebacker Mike DeBlasio after the game.

While there was no more scoring in the first quarter, Babylon got the best of field position, something Punzone said was a key to his team's chance of success.

Bayport, which features several offense weapons, could not get its own running game on track as they had limited ball possession.

Late in the second quarter, Babylon's Sean Logan sacked Bayport quarterback Corey Picone, setting up a third-and-18 from the Bayport 12. Sheehan was then stuffed at the line of scrimmage by Ryan Visgauss, and the Phantoms were forced to punt from deep in their own territory, giving Babylon excellent field position starting at the Bayport 39.

Babylon took advantage, marching down the field, and again, with Fudim capping the drive, scoring on an eight-yard-run off right tackle. Hurst added the extra point and the Panthers took a 14 - 0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

While Babylon's running game was in full gear (Fudim gained 99 yards in the first half), Bayport was struggling to get going. Sheehan had just eight yards rushing, while backfield mate Ryan McCoy was only slightly better with 16.  

"Defensively, we put a new game plan in this week to stop their run," said Stephen Loudon, Babylon's All-County wide receiver/safety.

 "We controlled the ball," Punzone said. "We wanted to tilt the field our way."

In football, controlling the ball means winning the battles along the line of scrimmage. Babylon was doing just that, not blowing Bayport's defense line down the field, but rather, just moving Phantom defenders enough for Fudim to get through and do the rest.

"Their offensive line was staying low and hitting hard," said Bayport defensive lineman Gary Farley. "Babylon played a better game then we did. They came out ready to play."

If Bayport fans had any hopes for a comeback, the Panther offense extinguished those hopes in the opening possession of the second half.

In the game's longest drive, Babylon went 88 yards on 12 plays, with Jeann Cruz scoring on a 1-yard-run. Hurst's third extra point completed the scoring, with Babylon up 21 - 0. The key play on that drive was a 43-yard option run by Fudim on third-and-6.            

Down by 21 points, Bayport looked to the air, but Picone was picked off twice, first by Zachary Fredericks at the Babylon 21. Then, early in the fourth quarter, Hurst intercepted a pass at the Bayport 43, ending another Phantom drive, and ultimately, any chance the Phantoms had of getting on the scoreboard.            

The win had special meaning to Panther seniors, who, as juniors last year, watched as Bayport knocked them out of the playoffs.

"It feels great," Fudim said. "We've worked hard and it's awesome that we could win for our seniors."            

With the win, Babylon (8-2) now faces the winner of the Mt. Sinai-John Glenn game in the Division IV championship. The game will be played Saturday afternoon at Stony Brook University.

Following the win over Bayport and not knowing their opponent, no one spoke of a preferred opponent.

"Either team, it'll be a good game," Loudon said. "As long as we execute, we can win."                                                  

                                              1            2            3            4            F

Babylon                             7            7            7            0            21

Bayport-Blue Point      0            0            0            0            0