Riverhead lost a heartbreaker to Smithtown West 32-28 on Senior Day at Coach Mike McKillop Memorial Field Saturday afternoon.
The Waves fought for a chance at post-season play, but Smithtown West had other plans.
After an interception by defensive lineman Johnathan Gonzolez on the Bulls’ 25-yard line, quarterback Christian Pace found Darnell Chandler down the left side with a sweet pass, and Riverhead took a 7-0 lead. Smithtown West answered right back with but missed the extra point, bringing the score to 7-6. Riverhead was able to march down field and, once again, Darnell Chandler took a pass over the middle to make it 14-6 Riverhead.
But Riverhead could not contain West’s quarterback Kyle Zawadzki, who ran at will on the Riverhead defense. By halftime, the Bulls had a 26-14 lead.
The Waves came out of the locker room a team reborn. Pace hit Tommy Powers for two touchdown passes to reclaim the lead, 28-26. Then the Bulls’ Matt Miller picked off a pass by Pace on the 15-year line. Miller took it 85 yards the other way for the touchdown and a 32-28 lead. Riverhead wasn’t able to muster anything after that and watched their season come to a close.
See Senior Day photos below.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
Senior Day Ceremony
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