Ward Melville Hits 27 Touchdowns as Philbrick Leads 51-14 Rout

Ward Melville senior Hudson Philbrick reached 27 touchdowns on the season after throwing three and running for two in a 51-14 victory over Patchogue-Medford on Friday, Oct. 23. The win improved the Patriots to 7-0 in the Suffolk Division I standings.

The team built its lead quickly. Philbrick connected with Joey Karpowicz for a 53-yard pass that set up an early score by running back Chris Retzlaff. Ward Melville led 7-0 just two minutes into the contest. The Patriots extended their advantage before the first quarter ended, when Philbrick threw short touchdowns to Derek Karpowicz and Louie Laap. Kicker Ethan Jargo added a 32-yard field goal to make the score 24-0.

The scoring continued into the second half. Derek Karpowicz caught a 46-yard pass with two minutes remaining in the first half, pushing the lead to 31-0. Philbrick added two rushing scores in the second half. Junior running back Manny Lopez capped the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run late in the game, marking Ward Melville’s seventh score.

Philbrick finished 15 of 20 for 278 passing yards. Joey Karpowicz recorded 123 receiving yards, averaging 41 yards per catch. He also contributed on defense with an interception and a fourth-down pass breakup in the end zone. Derek Karpowicz had four catches for 67 yards. The Patriots never punted the ball during the game.

Ward Melville plays its season finale at home on Friday, Oct. 30, against Walt Whitman. The host team is 4-3 and competing for a playoff spot with six other teams in the division that are either 4-3 or 3-4.