McGann-Mercy celebrated its homecoming game in a big way today, scoring the winning touchdown in the last 40 seconds of a see-saw game against East Hampton.
Running back Sam Schrage carried the ball in for a 40-38 victory.
The Bonackers had just taken the lead 38-34 with a TD followed by a two-point conversion. But the Monarchs answered in their next possession to regain the lead and win the game.
The drama is “scary, scary,” head coach Jeff Doroski said. After the game ended, Doroski said his heart was thumping.
“I told these guys, ‘You can’t be doing this to me for much longer. I’m getting too old for this,’” he said, laughing.
“I had a range of emotions — frustration, worry, you know… wanting to throw up.”
The coach said the game today was frustrating because, he said, “We knew we weren’t playing our best. We made some mistakes, both mental and physical.
“But these guys found a way to win,” Doroski said. “We’ll learn from our mistakes and get ready for a tough team next week.” The Monarchs (3-2) are on the road in Center Moriches.
Quarterback KJ Santacroce is “a great weapon for us,” Doroski said.
Santacroce credited the defensive line, which “did a great job,” he said. “I didn’t have a lot of pressure all day today. We made a couple mental mistakes but in the end, it’s nice to win our homecoming.”
It’s an important game, Doroski said, and one that will stay with team members “for the rest of their lives.”
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl and Denise Civiletti
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