The Island Trees Bulldogs move from Conference 3 back into Conference 4. The Bulldogs have been away from Conference four since 2002, and come back in hoping to get back to their winning ways. This year the Coaching Staff expects the Seniors to provide leadership and a hard work ethic to get back on track. This years players to watch are: Anthony Ciaramitaro TE/DE, Dave Grescek RB/LB, Bryan Petersen OL/DL, Anthony Wrightington RB/FS, Chris Nickel OL/DL.
WEEK #1
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 9
SEAFORD VIKINGS 33
A tough start for the Bulldogs, Seaford is the top ranked team in the Conference and currently has a 23 game winning streak in Nassau County. The Bulldogs played hard for two quarters, but as we know, football is four quarters. Anthony Wrightington started the dawgs off offensively with a 70 yard run on the toss to cap off the drive with a Pat Lehosky field goal. Wrightington would later score on a 80 yard punt return to give the Bulldogs a 9-0 lead. In the end the Bulldogs would lose 33-9. Kyle Nigro played tough all game as he blocked an extra point and made tough tackles on defense and recovered a fumble. Nick Mouzakes had a forced fumble and Anthony Ciaramitaro recoreded a sack. The Bulldogs are (0-1)
WEEK #2
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 40
OYSTER BAY BAYMEN 0
Bulldogs Football is back. The Island Trees Football team won their first game Thursday defeating the Oyster Bay Baymen 40-0. Anthony Wrightington was in full effect with 16 carries on 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Anthony broke out and scored fwo times from 33, and 34 yards. Dan Bartlett did a nice job commanding the offense up and down the field all day. Bartlett was 6 out of 7 passing for 67 yards, 1 touchdown pass, and 1 interception. Dave Grescek and Chris Pascalli found the endzone with tough runs, and Mike Esposito scored late in the third quarter on a pass from Bartlett. Kyle Nigro had a nice interception, and Tom Szabo recovered a Oyster Bay fumble. The whole entire offensive line and ever member of the Bulldogs team achieved this win. Great Job Dawgs!
The Bulldogs are (1-1)
WEEK #3
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 28
CLARKE RAMS 21
Never give up. That was the attitude the Island Trees Football team displayed on Saturday defeating the #5 ranked Clarke Rams 27-21. The Bulldogs were trailing 21-6 at the start of the fourth quarter and put forth an amazing come from behind win. Dave Grescek scored the first touchdown for the Bulldogs running over and pounding the Clarke defenders. The Bulldogs would come out at halftime a force to be reckoned with. Dan Bartlett connected with Anthony Wrightington on a 70 yard touchdown pass. Wrightington would later score on a 37 yard break out run. Anthony Ciaramitaro made an absolute miraculous catch over two Clarke defensive backs to set the dogs up for another score. With five seconds remaining in the game Dan Bartlett would run through the middle to win the game for Island Trees. Dan Bartlett was 7 for 17 with 141 yards passing, 2 interceptions, 1 rushing touchdown, and 1 passing touchdown. Anthony Wrightington had 20 carries for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dave Grescek had 6 carries for 22 yards and 1 touchdown. Anthony Ciaramitaro was a beast on defense recording 10 tackles and made a crucial catch late in the game to help the Bulldogs secure the win. The Bulldogs are (2-1).
WEEK #4
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 40
CARLE PLACE FROGS 20
Welcome home Island Trees. The Island Trees Football team improved their record to 3-1 by defeating the Carle Place Frogs 40-20. The Bulldogs scored first and were in control of the game from start to finish. Anthony Wrightington had a career day carrying the ball 24 times with 300 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Wrightington had four touchdown runs from 35, 28, 64, and 40, yards in length. Dan Bartlett was 1/2 passing for 18 yards and had 8 carries for 42 yards and 1 touchdown. The defense was led by James Vesley with 6 tackles, Anthony Ciaramitaro with 7 tackles, and Bryan Petersen with 8 tackles. Charlie Bours, Joe Esposito, and Mike Guerrini each recorded a sack. Chris Nickel and Kieth Andersen had a forced fumble. With the win the Bulldogs move into 3rd place in the conference and stay playoff bound. The Bulldogs are (3-1).
WEEK #5
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 26
EAST ROCKAWAY ROCKS 27
The Island Trees Football lost a heartbreaking game on Saturday 27-26 to the East Rockaway Rocks. The Bulldogs were hot coming into week 5 having won three games in a row. The Bulldogs defense was tested early and often surrendering 27 points. The Dogs never quit as the game would come down the final seconds on the clock. Anthony Wrightington was again the offensive force for the Bulldogs. Wrightington carried the ball 15 times for 133 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. Anthony would run back the final kick off to bring the Bulldogs within one point of the game. As the game came to a close the coaching staff would opt to go for two and get the win. In the end the Bulldogs would not get the conversion. The loss was a tough one to accept, but the team never gave up and suddenly the Island Trees Football team is playing with emotion, passion, and a swagger that still keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Bulldogs are (3-2).
WEEK #6
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 30
COLD SPRING HARBOR SEAHAWKS 0
Another Homecoming foiled by the Bulldogs. The Island Trees Bulldogs won their fourth game Saturday, defeating the Cold Spring Harbor Seahawks 30-0. Anthony Wrightington once again had an outstanding performance offensively, scoring three touchdowns on 18 carries for 175 yards rushing. Cris Pascalli ran the ball hard 17 times for 80 yards and one touchdown. Mike Guerrini forced a safety for the Bulldogs and Charlie Bours the sackmaster once again recorded a sack. With the win the Bulldogs clinch the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Bulldogs are (4-2).
WEEK #7
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS 6
MALVERNE MULES 20
The Island Trees Bulldogs lost a tough game in week 7 to the Malverne Mules 20-6. The Bulldogs could not get the offense going as Anthony Wrightington scored the only Bulldogs touchdown on a pass from Kyle Nigro. Dave Grescek ran the ball very hard all game and had three big runs. Defensively, Tom Szabo had a good game in pass coverage and run defense. The loss is a minor set back to the ultmimate goal of reaching the finals. The Bulldogs receive a forfeit win in the final week of the regular season and finish with a 5-3 record. The bye week comes at a perfect time, hopefully we can rejuvinate and get back on track to make some noise in the playoffs.
