The defending Division II Suffolk County champion Blue Waves are poised to make another run deep into the playoffs as they were awarded the first seed with a record of 7-1 last week. Though a championship is what they’re after, you can only get there one game at a time, a mantra Coach Leif Shay has engrained in the minds of the young Riverhead athletes.
On Saturday, the Blue Waves have their first hurdle to jump over. They face No. 8 Half Hollow Hills West at 1 p.m.
As the No. 1 seed, the Waves have home field advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs before playing the Suffolk County championship at Stony Brook University. But it’s too early to think that far down the line. Right now, the only thing on the players’ minds is to beat the Half Hollow Hills West Colts.
Star halfback Jeremiah Cheatom, along with many other seniors, who have been through all this the year before, know what’s at stake. They know they need to stay focused throughout the week but with the second season beginning it’s hard not to get excited.
“We had a pretty good week of practice,” Cheatom said. “We lost focus here and there because of all the excitement. It’s the first week of playoffs, everyone on the team is excited but we have to stay the course and build all that energy for game time.”
The Blue Waves will once again be without starting quarterback Cody Smith, who is still recovering from an eye injury. Kenny Simco will get his second start of the season. But at least this time around, he has a full week of preparation under his belt as the starter.
“Kenny is going to get the job done,” Cheatom said. “Our team and our coaching staff have faith in him. And personally, I have so much faith in him. He is a great quarterback and he will be a big reason for our win on Saturday.”
The Blue Waves haven’t played the Colts (5-3) this season so they’ll have to play off of the tapes they’ve received. Cheatom believes that the Blue Waves are prepared to do damage.
“We’re ready to play and we’re going to be ready for whatever they bring us,” he said.
Come to Coach Mike McKillop Memorial Field Saturday and support your Blue Waves as they try to put the finishing touches on yet another dominating season.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
