Sayville Flashes Coach Hoss: 'I'm Proud Of These Kids'

Just moments after their 26-18 loss on a frigid night at Stony Brook University, Sayville High School's varsity football coach Robert Hoss said he was proud of the way his players battled against Huntington in the Suffolk County Division III Championship Game. 

"Our kids played hard," Hoss said. "It’s been one of those learning seasons all year; we’re a very young football team. It doesn't make us feel any better right now, but I’m proud of these kids because they battled."

The Golden Flashes were ranked No. 7 this season, which was shaping up to be an off year until they turned it on late in the season and made a push all the way to the final. Sayville opened up a 12-0 lead as the snow began to pour in and swirl around on the windy gridiron. But Huntington came all the way back, taking a 13-12 lead they would never relinquish. 

"What hurt us early was not kicking those extra points," Hoss said, reflecting on some key misses in the game. "It puts you in chase mode. You always feel like you’re chasing points; and I keep looking at the clock and thinking ‘we gotta score’ and go for two. When we’re kicking extra points and not chasing points it’s a different game."

Down 26-18 with about five minutes to play, Sayville had two chances to stick it in the endzone and tie the game with a two-point try. On the first possession a pass from Jack Coan went off the hands of a receiver in the center of the endzone. On the final possession, Coan's pass into double-coverage in the back corner was picked off by Huntington's Infinite Tucker, who took the interception out of the endzone 76 yards down the field. The Blue Devils ran one more play and then took a knee to seal the victory.

Still, Coan threw a tight spiral and the Golden Flashes kept the game competitive throughout. The good news: Coan is only a freshman.

"This is the youngest football team we've ever had," Hoss said. "We graduated 30 seniors last year. We only had three returning starters coming back this year and none on defense. To be honest, to be in a Suffolk County championship with a very young team is really an unbelievable accomplishment." 

With most of the team coming back next year, the Golden Flashes could put together some more dominant seasons for the school. Those thoughts were some comfort to Hoss, but not much.

"It’s hard to look forward right now. I feel bad for the seniors. I’m disappointed with how it ended, but yeah, the future looks really bright."

Young or not, the team gave No. 4-ranked Huntington all it could handle on Saturday night. Something Hoss took pride in, despite the team's pain from the loss.

"As a coach all you can ask for is that for 48 minutes they give you everything they have and they did," Hoss said. "They’re hurting right now and I’m hurting for them."

Huntington advanced to the Long Island Championship with its victory over Sayville. They'll face Lawrence High School on Saturday at 12 p.m.