Let’s do it again
The 10-0 Plainedge Red Devils are all that stands in the 9-1 Seaford Vikings’ way to Valhalla.
It’s an exciting Conference IV showdown for the Nassau title as Seaford seeks a “revenge tour” against the group that handed the team its only 2025 loss and eliminated it in last year’s semifinals.
“They’re definitely up for the game, ready to go,” head coach Mike McHugh told The Post of his Norsemen.
“They’re more about, ‘Let’s take care of what we have to take care of, and let’s worry about us, not them,’” added McHugh, now in his second year.
It’s a stark contrast on the other sideline, where Plainedge’s Rob Shaver will hang up his headset at season’s end, 30 years and more than a half a dozen county titles later.
“The best part about winning is knowing that a bunch of people got together to make a plan and follow through,” said Shaver, who will miss his time on the gridiron, but not administrative behind-the-scenes life.
Going out “on a high note” would be a shared celebration and testament to his bunch doing the Devil’s work way back in January to be ready for November.
“You really understand how special it is for the kids. … That’s the part I’ve seen throughout the years, which makes these types of seasons more special.”
Marine won
The United States Merchant Marine Academy has set a course set for the Fusion Bowl.
It’s all celebrations at Kings Point after the Division III Mariners clinched a spot in Friday night’s Division III bowl game on the road at Curry College, thanks to a heroic 39-38 defeat of archrival Coast Guard with 40 seconds left at Fenway Park.
“These guys have been grinding, whether they were out at sea. … They were working their butts off,” USMMA head coach Jameson Croall told The Post of winning the Secretaries’ Cup.
Beyond the bragging rights of a 7-2 campaign and a chance to bring hardware to Nassau County, Croall is most elated for one thing only.
“It’s an opportunity to keep our team together for an extra week. A lot of these guys aren’t going to see each other for a really long time, with the juniors going out to sea for eight months,” he said.
“And the graduating seniors may not come back and visit for a year. Some of these guys won’t see each other, maybe ever again.”
