The Lindenhurst Bulldogs may have scored 79 points over their first three games of the season (all victories), but that did not deter the Northport Tigers. During the cancer awareness game that started with some light rain, the Tigers shut out the Bulldogs, defeating the top team in their division. 

Northport’s winning touchdown was scored on the very first drive. After Michael Raio had a big run and Nick Valenti caught a 4th-and-13 pass, the Tigers’ drive ended with quarterback Owen Johansen scrambling in for a touchdown from the 16-yard line. An extra point by kicker Billy Griffiths made the lead 7-0. 

Lindenhurst couldn’t get anything going offensively. A huge part of that was Northport’s fantastic job of shutting down Chris Carson, the standout receiver for the Bulldogs. 

While he did have some ridiculous catches, Carson never had two in the same drive, and the Tigers rebounded well to any adversity. One of those big catches came at the end of the first quarter, but Lindenhurst was punting by the start of quarter two.

The closest that the Bulldogs got to scoring all game was when a great punt pinned the Tigers to their own three yard line. Johansen was then sacked, but just avoided a safety. 

That allowed a strong drive to ensue, led by big gains from the Raio twins, Michael and Christian. Another big catch by Valenti set up Northport to the four yard line, where it was Michael Raio flipping into the endzone for a 14-0 lead. 

While Johansen did not end up throwing for a score in this game, he did have a rushing one, as well as multiple tackles. His biggest play on defense came right after the second Tigers touchdown, as he picked off the Bulldogs to give the Tigers the ball back. 

However, one of his throws on the following drive was tipped in the air and caught for a Lindenhurst interception. But with how much the Bulldog offense was struggling, that was actually bad news for them – they only went backwards during their first three plays. When they tried to punt, a bad snap went out of the back of the endzone for a safety. 16-0, Northport lead. 

The game slowed down a considerable amount after halftime, as the two teams traded punts and turnovers on downs. This continued until the third quarter turned into the fourth, when Northport’s Drew Miller had a huge reception, giving the team life. 

Johansen then shook free of some defenders for what appeared to be his second rushing touchdown of the day, but it was taken back by a holding penalty. The Tigers still were able to make it a three-score game, as a 33-yard field goal by Griffiths was good, and Northport led 19-0. 

The Bulldogs’ final drive was a long one, extended by pass interference calls and a huge completion to get them close to the endzone. But for the last time in what was a defensive clinic for Northport, the Tigers forced a turnover on downs. 

After receiving the ball back, Northport was able to run out the remains of the clock, and capture the victory. 

This moved them to a 3-1 record, which ties them with this very Lindenhurst team for first place in the Section 11, Division Two standings. Bellport and West Islip are the only other teams tied at 3-1. The next game for the Tigers will come on Friday, as they take on the Newfield Wolverines.