Catalano Kicks the Dalers Past the Knights

by Joe Braico

Farmingdale 17, Uniondale 14

Farmingdale, NY - Every football coach in America will tell you that there are three sides to every football game; offense, defense, and special teams. Fans on the other hand come to football games to watch offense and defense and only care about special teams when something either goes really good or really bad. Last night the homecoming crowd at the Farmingdale/Uniondale game got to care a whole lot about the importance of special teams.

With the game tied 14-14 in overtime Farmingdale’s junior kicker Greg Catalano strode up to the ball and blasted home a 36 yard game winning field goal. The kick would have been good from 45.   

“It was my first, it's pretty exciting.“ said Catalano regarding his game winner, "Last week had two kicks blocked, we worked hard this week to make sure everything went well."

“He banged it, and he banged it good," said Farmingdale's Head Coach Buddy Krumanacker after the game.

With that kick the Dalers move to 3-2 on the season and look prime for a playoff spot, but the win almost didn't happen. The Dalers dominated the first half taking a 14-0 lead into halftime, but in second halftime the Knights dominated the game. Uniondale scored 14 points in the 3rd quarter in a span of 3 minutes. The second touchdown coming after Uniondale's special teams forced and recovered a fumbled on the kickoff.

Uniondale's Antoine Dexter scored both touchdowns for Uniondale, while rushing for 98 yards. The Knights even had a chacne to win the game in the closing seconds of the game when a 37 yard field goal fell just short. As I posted on our twitter account if the kick was from 36 yard it would have been good.

Farmingdale's junior QB Sam Tuttle who help the Dalers to their quick start on the day passed for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns. He connected with Brian Thompson (2rec 76yds) and Pat Starke for his touchdown passes. Starke also had an INT to seal the game in overtime.

This was a truly great game, with an exciting ending. The Knights fall to 1-4 on the year,  and will host Baldwin next week. The Dalers move to 3-2 and will battle Massapequa next week.