Ward Melville reaches 27 touchdowns with 51-14 win

Ward Melville football reached 7-0 on the season after defeating the Patchogue-Medford Raiders 51-14 on Friday, October 23. Senior quarterback Hudson Philbrick led the offense, extending his Long Island-leading touchdown total to 27. He threw three scoring passes and rushed in two more during the Suffolk Division I matchup.

The game began with a 53-yard pass from Philbrick to receiver Joey Karpowicz. The drive moved the ball to the Patchogue-Medford 10-yard line. Running back Chris Retzlaff scored shortly after, giving Ward Melville a 7-0 lead two minutes into the contest.

Philbrick followed with short touchdown passes to Derek Karpowicz and Louie Laap. Kicker Ethan Jargo added a 32-yard field goal. The Patriots held a 24-0 lead when the first quarter ended. Joey Karpowicz caught a 46-yard pass with two minutes remaining in the first half, increasing the margin to 31-0.

Philbrick rushed for two additional touchdowns in the second half. Junior running back Manny Lopez capped the scoring with a 6-yard run for the team's seventh touchdown. Philbrick finished 15 of 20 for 278 passing yards. Joey Karpowicz recorded 123 receiving yards on three catches, averaging 41 yards per reception. He also intercepted a pass and broke up a fourth-down attempt in the end zone.

Ward Melville did not punt the ball during the entire game. Derek Karpowicz had four catches for 67 yards. The Patriots host Walt Whitman on Friday, October 30. Walt Whitman is 4-3 and competing with six other teams for playoff positions in Suffolk Division I.