While the Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms had a hard-fought game with the Shoreham Wading River Wildcats, they lost the Section XI, Division 4 Suffolk County Championship game with a final score of 26-23 on Friday, Nov. 19, held at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University.

An edge-of-your-seat matchup, BBP and SWR met touchdown-for-touchdown with each successive drive, pumping up the other team to a two-score game.

Missing the extra point after the first touchdown, SWR left the door open for a BBP lead that widened when they missed a 2-point conversion after their second touchdown.

The first three touchdowns for SWR were all scored by running back Max Barone.

Gavin Locascio ran the ball in for BBP’s first two touchdowns.

The back-to-back touchdowns left no breathing room in either team’s lead and was a nail-biter right to the end.

Jameson Smith caught a bullet-speed pass from quarterback Brady Clark for a 40-yard completion in the third quarter that reinvigorated BBP, along with an interception by BBP in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

The bleachers were filled with BBP fans who lead chants for players throughout the game as the formidable 12th man the community is known for.

“Although the outcome of the game didn’t turn out the way we had hoped, these student-athletes and coaches have so much to be proud of. They left their hearts out on that field and should be commended for putting BBP back on the football map. The success they achieved this season was exceptional, yet the way they won with such class was even more impressive. The district and community are so proud of this fine group of young men and coaching staff,” said Bayport-Blue Point School District athletic director Tim Mullins.