Sports

Greenport to open playoffs at Mount Sinai

GARRET MEADE PHOTO | Gene Allen will be one of 14 seniors for the Porters honored before the start of Friday’s playoff game at Mount Sinai.

When Hampton Bays decided to forfeit Saturday’s regular season finale against the Greenport/Southold/Mattituck football team, it gave the Porters an easy win. It also robbed them of their Senior Night, where the players are typically honored before the start of the game.

With a road playoff game coming up this weekend, the Porters figured they’d sneak in a small ceremony on the sideline before the game, Greenport principal Len Skuggevik said.

But Tuesday morning, Skuggevik and athletic director Jim Caliendo received an e-mail from Mount Sinai football coach Vinnie Ammirato. Having heard of what happened to the Porters, Ammirato offered the Porters the use of their field to hold a ceremony before the game, where players could be introduced over the public address system.

It was a no-brainer for Greenport, which gladly accepted the offer.

“It was real nice offer,” Skuggevik said. “A real class move.”

Skuggevik spoke to Caliendo, football coach Jack Martilotta and superintendent Michael Comanda, who were all for taking the senior night ceremony on the road.

Seventh-seeded Greenport will play No. 2 Mount Sinai at 6 p.m. Friday night in the first round of the Division IV playoffs. Greenport’s ceremony will start about 20 minutes before the game and Mount Sinai will also be honoring its seniors.

Greenport’s senior cheerleaders will also be included in the ceremony.

“Everyone was very happy,” Skuggevik said.

“I know it’s not a home game, but they can still keep there tradition alive,” Ammirato said.

Mount Sinai and Greenport both finished the regular season 6-2, but the Mustangs’ tougher schedule provided more power points.

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