Northport Tigers defeat Huntington 28-9 to claim Clam Bucket trophy

Northport High School football players secured the Clam Bucket trophy after defeating Huntington 28-9 on Saturday, Oct. 24. The victory adds the Tigers' name to the wooden bucket, a tradition that has continued since 1942. Northport's balanced offense and defensive stops determined the outcome of the annual matchup.

Ryder Maag recorded two interceptions during the game, marking his first two-pick game of his career. His second interception occurred in the fourth quarter with 9:37 remaining. Maag returned the pick 69 yards for a touchdown, extending Northport's lead from 14-9 to 21-9. That score sealed the victory for the Tigers.

Gavin O'Brien directed the Northport offense with two rushing touchdowns, one for three yards and one for one yard. Al Pehanick contributed a 23-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Northport established an early lead with a 7-0 score by the 3:07 mark of the first quarter. The team built that advantage to 14-0 by the end of the second quarter.

Coach Pat Campbell credited his players for executing key plays against a prepared opponent. He noted that Huntington is well coached and prepared for various game situations. Campbell specifically praised the leadership provided by O'Brien and the effectiveness of the running game in the early stages of the contest.

Huntington trailed early after Northport's scoring drives. Robbie Campbell kicked a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter for the Blue Devils. Shates Miller added a 9-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Spencer Sturges recorded an interception for Huntington during that same period.

The loss drops Huntington to a 3-4 record in Division II. The Blue Devils must win their final regular season game against Deer Park on Friday, Oct. 30, to maintain a postseason chance. Northport enters its final game with a 6-1 record and has already clinched a playoff spot.

Northport faces Copiague, a team with a 4-3 record, on Saturday, Oct. 31. The Tigers also have a date set for Dec. 27 when their marching band will perform at halftime during the New York Jets game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.