Hurricane Football Takes Early Lead in Win Over Rocky Point, Turns Attention to Division III Playoffs

After wrapping up the regular season with a 28-14 win at Rocky Point on Friday night, the Westhampton Beach football team finished the season with a 6-2 record, and will now turn its attention to the Division III playoffs.

The Hurricanes (6-2) finished third in the division and earned the third seed, meaning they will host sixth seed Deer Park (4-4) at home on Friday, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

While the ’Canes, as the higher seed, will be favored to beat Deer Park, head coach Bryan Schaumloffel said he expects a dog fight. Deer Park has several standout athletes on its team, most notably twin brothers Hayden and Hunter Lovinsky. Hayden is a running back and Hunter is a wide receiver, and they both play linebacker on defense. Deer Park is a well rounded team with an offensive line that Schaumloffel described as “big and physical.”

Westhampton Beach beat Deer Park, 24-20, on the road in the season opener and beat them in a close game last year as well, meaning the Falcons will be out for revenge.

“They’re a really good 4-4 team,” Schaumloffel said. “We expect them to come here and give us their best game.”

In the season opening game, the Hurricanes scored a touchdown to go ahead on Deer Park with just 25 seconds left in the game, so the expectation is that Friday night’s rematch will be intense.

The ’Canes didn’t waste any time taking control in their win over Rocky Point (4-4) on Friday, jumping out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter to cruise to build a strong enough cushion for the victory.

Junior Nolan Michalowski had 25 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns to lead Westhampton Beach. Schaumloffel gave credit to the Hurricanes defense for playing a great game. Aidan McDermott had eight tackles, Sal Fracapane had six tackles and a sack, Andrew Mensch had six tackles, and Jordyn Brown had four tackles and a sack.

If the Hurricanes can pull off another win against Deer Park, they will advance to the Division III semifinals. Top-seeded Sayville is hosting eighth-seed Hauppauge at the same time that the ’Canes will take on Deer Park, while second seed Half Hollow Hills West is hosting Islip on Saturday and fourth seed Harborfields is hosting East Islip on Saturday as well. The teams are reseeded after the first round, but Schaumloffel said that if the Hurricanes win, they will likely end up playing at Hills West on Saturday, November 12.