Sports

Veteran Leadership Key For Bayport-Blue Point Football

Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms Football brings experienced offensive line to the 2010 season.

Facing stiff competition from perennial Division IV powerhouses John Glenn, Babylon and Hampton Bays is nothing new for Bayport-Blue Point football coach Eric Iberger. But this year, the Phantoms coach feels an experienced offensive line anchored by senior Tom Camberdella will be key to a successful regular season and a possible run deep into the playoffs.

In his seventh year as head coach at Bayport-Blue Point, Iberger is looking to build off the team's success from the 2009 season. Despite a 3-5 regular season record, the Phantoms grabbed the seventh seed in the Division IV playoffs and upset second-seeded Babylon 26-19.  The team was eliminated from the playoffs the following week by John Glenn.

Bayport-Blue Point will get its chance at payback on Oct. 2 on Homecoming Day against John Glenn. Other notable games include the September 24 contest at Hampton Bays and the October 15 home game against Babylon.

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"For us to be successful, our O-line will need to dictate the flow of the football game," Iberger said. "All of our linemen are seniors and either started or had significant playing time last season. They're a solid group of guys and hang with each other on and off the field."

Also giving the head coach some additional confidence heading into the season is the overall size of his offensive line. "I think it's one of the larger lines we have had in many years," Iberger said. "For a smaller school like Bayport-Blue Point, we usually have a couple of big guys and fill in around them."

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The offensive line play will be key not only to a successful running game, but also in protecting senior quarterback Corey Picone, Iberger said. In addition, other players to watch when the Phantoms have the ball are running back Jack Sheehan and tight end Gary Farley.

And many of the standout offensive players are also expected by Iberger to play major roles on defense. Picone will see time in the secondary at cornerback; Camberdella will be integral to the run stop/pass rush on the defensive line as will fellow D-lineman Gary Farley.

As he reviews the season's schedule, while games against the aforementioned John Glenn, Babylon and Hampton Bays are the highlights, he knows it's vital for the team to bring its A game from week one. "In high school football, the first game is vital and it's important to get off on the right foot or the team could begin to lack confidence," Iberger said. "We can't afford to look past anyone."

Season Schedule:

Sept. 11        Port Jefferson at Bayport-Blue Point               2 p.m.

Sept. 16        Bayport-Blue Point at Mt. Sinai                          6 p.m.

Sept. 24       Bayport-Blue Point at Hampton Bays               7 p.m.

Oct. 2            John Glenn at Bayport-Blue Point                      1:30 p.m.

Oct. 8            Bayport-Blue Point at Southampton                  7 p.m.

Oct. 15          Babylon at Bayport-Blue Point                              7 p.m.

Oct. 22          Bayport-Blue Point at Greenport                           7 p.m.

Oct. 30         Center Moriches at Bayport-Blue Point             1:30 p.m.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here