Cougars Homecoming Win Is First Since 2000
Commack 13, Northport 6 | Six years of homecoming frustrations washed away in the cascade of ice water that poured over Coach Joe Reggio after Commack’s 13-6 victory against Northport, last Saturday.
It was the kind of orange-bucketed celebratory bath associated with championships, the kind of finger-thrusting, helmet-tapping enthusiasm reserved for titles and trophies. But for the Cougars and Reggio, who is in his first season as head coach after five as offensive coordinator, it was a raucous acknowledgment of an important step.
It was the Cougars’ first homecoming victory since 2000, Reggio’s first year on the staff. That season ended with a Suffolk County title. They have not qualified for the playoffs since.
“Typical Northport-Commack game,” Reggio said. “None of the games I’ve ever experienced with them have been easy. They’re a well-coached team. Tough kids, [they live] five minutes away and it’s always a battle for bragging rights. Thank God we came out on the winning end today. It’s been a while.”
The Cougars (2-2) rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit with touchdowns on back-to-back drives and an interception that ended a Northport rally with 1:14 remaining.
Senior Nick Troiano broke in front of Northport senior defensive back Mike Dees and caught an 11-yard slant pass to tie the game at 6-6 with 2:31 left in the third.
Senior Josh Webb rushed 12 yards for the second score with 4:06 left in the game, culminating an 80-yard drive. Webb, who finished with 82 yards on 20 carries, scored three plays after a twisting 25-yard reception by senior receiver Matt Reggio, the coach’s son. The younger Reggio ran a quick out pattern and saw his defender cheating toward the line of scrimmage. He sprinted up the left side and made an off-balance grab while falling inside the sideline.
“We hadn’t run a deep pass like that all game, so when Matty did the out, [the defender] bit hard,” Coach Reggio said. “Then Matty makes that catch going the wrong way, right by the sideline and keeps his feet inbounds. Holy mackerel.”
The last time Commack won on homecoming, Matt Reggio was 11, fetching water for players like Bryan Tornee, who now volunteers as the team’s wide receivers coach. Matt Reggio worked with Tornee in the off-season and keeps his old jersey in a football locker at Commack High School.
After the Webb touchdown, Northport (1-3) had just over four minutes to drive for a touchdown. Dees, who got a bulk of the offensive workload as Commack senior linebacker James McDonald keyed on Northport fullback Brian Haber, rushed twice for 9 yards. Senior quarterback Cooper McGill ran a keeper for two yards and then connected with Dees for a 16-yard pass, moving the ball to the Tigers’ own 48.
Following a Northport timeout, McGill looked for Dees again, but Troiano – who had just switched inside from a defensive back spot – leaped over the receiver and made his game-saving interception.
“We knew, you can’t let anyone get behind you,” Troiano said. “The D-line helped us a lot, getting pressure on them, making them throw a bad pass. We had to make sure that [Dees] didn’t get anywhere open. He was their playmaker.”
Commack senior Nick Troiano leaps over the back of Northport receiver Mike Dees to intercept a pass thrown by Cooper McGill with 1:14 left in the Cougars’ 13-6 win, last Saturday.
Commack Phil Cirrone (No. 36) and Gary Heyman drag down Northport quarterback Cooper McGill.
Senior Mike Dees, who scored the only touchdown for Northport, makes a gain in the fourth quarter.
Commack players douse first-year coach Joe Reggio with water after a 13-6 win over rival Northport, last Saturday.
Commack homecoming queen Ashley Minogue and king Steve Intrabartola at halftime with members of the homecoming court.
Record Photos/Michael R. Sisak
It was the kind of orange-bucketed celebratory bath associated with championships, the kind of finger-thrusting, helmet-tapping enthusiasm reserved for titles and trophies. But for the Cougars and Reggio, who is in his first season as head coach after five as offensive coordinator, it was a raucous acknowledgment of an important step.
It was the Cougars’ first homecoming victory since 2000, Reggio’s first year on the staff. That season ended with a Suffolk County title. They have not qualified for the playoffs since.
“Typical Northport-Commack game,” Reggio said. “None of the games I’ve ever experienced with them have been easy. They’re a well-coached team. Tough kids, [they live] five minutes away and it’s always a battle for bragging rights. Thank God we came out on the winning end today. It’s been a while.”
The Cougars (2-2) rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit with touchdowns on back-to-back drives and an interception that ended a Northport rally with 1:14 remaining.
Senior Nick Troiano broke in front of Northport senior defensive back Mike Dees and caught an 11-yard slant pass to tie the game at 6-6 with 2:31 left in the third.
Senior Josh Webb rushed 12 yards for the second score with 4:06 left in the game, culminating an 80-yard drive. Webb, who finished with 82 yards on 20 carries, scored three plays after a twisting 25-yard reception by senior receiver Matt Reggio, the coach’s son. The younger Reggio ran a quick out pattern and saw his defender cheating toward the line of scrimmage. He sprinted up the left side and made an off-balance grab while falling inside the sideline.
“We hadn’t run a deep pass like that all game, so when Matty did the out, [the defender] bit hard,” Coach Reggio said. “Then Matty makes that catch going the wrong way, right by the sideline and keeps his feet inbounds. Holy mackerel.”
The last time Commack won on homecoming, Matt Reggio was 11, fetching water for players like Bryan Tornee, who now volunteers as the team’s wide receivers coach. Matt Reggio worked with Tornee in the off-season and keeps his old jersey in a football locker at Commack High School.
After the Webb touchdown, Northport (1-3) had just over four minutes to drive for a touchdown. Dees, who got a bulk of the offensive workload as Commack senior linebacker James McDonald keyed on Northport fullback Brian Haber, rushed twice for 9 yards. Senior quarterback Cooper McGill ran a keeper for two yards and then connected with Dees for a 16-yard pass, moving the ball to the Tigers’ own 48.
Following a Northport timeout, McGill looked for Dees again, but Troiano – who had just switched inside from a defensive back spot – leaped over the receiver and made his game-saving interception.
“We knew, you can’t let anyone get behind you,” Troiano said. “The D-line helped us a lot, getting pressure on them, making them throw a bad pass. We had to make sure that [Dees] didn’t get anywhere open. He was their playmaker.”
Commack senior Nick Troiano leaps over the back of Northport receiver Mike Dees to intercept a pass thrown by Cooper McGill with 1:14 left in the Cougars’ 13-6 win, last Saturday.
Commack Phil Cirrone (No. 36) and Gary Heyman drag down Northport quarterback Cooper McGill.
Senior Mike Dees, who scored the only touchdown for Northport, makes a gain in the fourth quarter.
Commack players douse first-year coach Joe Reggio with water after a 13-6 win over rival Northport, last Saturday.
Commack homecoming queen Ashley Minogue and king Steve Intrabartola at halftime with members of the homecoming court.
Record Photos/Michael R. Sisak
Labels: Commack, Football, High School, Long-Islander (2003-2007)
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