Playoff-Bound Patriots Drop Final Regular-Season Game to Northport

Ward Melville fell short against Northport football on Saturday, losing 49-19 in the final game of the regular season.

Junior Tom O'Toole scored on a 91-yard kick return and sophomore Thomas Pryor and Jake Biro each had a touchdown in the Patriots' loss.

"Northport didn't do anything we weren't expecting," Ward Melville coach Rob Neugebauer said after the game. "It ultimately comes down to execution and discipline, and we were very undisciplined today."

The Patriot offense was averaging more than 33 points per game, but the Northport defense held them to 19. Ward Melville trailed 21-7 at halftime, but fell behind even further after Northport (6-2) scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.

But the season's not over yet: the Patriots (5-3) are playoff-bound for the first time in more than 20 years.

"It's been a good season for us," Neugebauer said. "The kids have battled through the entire year and I'm excited for what the future holds for us."