Ragnarok Begins for Nassau’s Champion Seaford Vikings
The South Shore Norseans face Bayport Blue Point in Saturday’s Long Island Championship, carrying a sense of “unfinished business” after losing 42-20 in the 2023 title match.
“This is a full-circle moment,” said senior running back Brian Faulk, who holds the school’s record for all-time yardage with over 4,350 yards. “But will we win this time? It’s sure to be a story to remember.”
The Vikings, boasting a 10-1 record, are emphasizing a “revenge tour” this year, according to senior quarterback Michael Spinella.
Members of Conference IV were reeling from new injuries as they headed into the season. The previous year, they faced a heartbreaking last-second loss, 33-27, to the PlainEdge Red Devils in the county semifinals.
“We wanted to bounce back and continue to work together as brothers all offseason, going to the weight room and being out on the field,” Spinella noted.
Bjorn Viking Again
The top spot has drawn the boys closer to head coach Mike McHugh, although Faulk admits he was “thrown into the fire” as a last-minute addition.
“I think the bond was immediate,” McHugh reflected. “We all knew what happened last year, and we wanted to make it right. We realized we could only do that together.”
This was a collective effort, with last year’s seniors helping boost the offensive line.
“We were definitely under suspicion this year. People said we were small and not strong,” senior center Thomas Mirenda remarked.
“It gave us some anger but really helped us along the way,” the 5-foot-10, 185-pound lineman added.
“They’ve been playing unbelievable,” McHugh praised the line, while Faulk described them as “lights out.” Spinella quipped, “I owe them dinner,” to which Mirenda responded by suggesting he’d choose a steakhouse like Huntington’s Prime.
The camaraderie extends to the defense as well, with junior free safety Jackson Pignataro noting how upperclassmen are making the field more manageable for newer varsity players.
“They always support me. Even if I mess up, they ensure I stay focused,” he stated. “On the field, one bad play means nothing.”
Handling occasional errors has been pivotal to the Vikings’ achievements. Their only defeat this season came in a tough 35-0 loss to Plainedge, a game they’re no longer focused on. Last week, they finally overcame that hurdle by defeating the Red Devils 21-7 to clinch the county title.
“That was a redemption game,” Faulk said. He’ll be moving on to play lacrosse at West Point next year and expressed how meaningful it was to defeat them, especially in the championship.
To Valhalla
According to McHugh, there’s one last challenge ahead, bringing a “Super Bowl” vibe and “good vibes” as they approach the final game of the year, which is an exciting prospect for Seaford.
This past week was quite emotional for the upperclassmen, who took the time to present their jerseys to teachers that influenced them throughout their high school years, along with their coaches.
“I’ve had some amazing coaches who’ve won championships,” McHugh said. “Winning this would mean a lot, not just for me, but for everyone who supported me along the way.”
