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East Islip WR Danika Tidridge takes the ball downfield against...

East Islip WR Danika Tidridge takes the ball downfield against Kings Park in a Suffolk League II flag football game on Monday at Kings Park. Credit: George A. Faella

Pressure doesn't faze East Islip junior running back Danika Tidridge.

Tidridge had the game-deciding touchdown in a 7-6 victory against Kings Park Monday night in a Suffolk II flag football matchup. She finished the game with 163 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 carries.

She added 67 punt return yards in the victory.

"I saw a little gap, so I said, 'There's three of them, but they're blocking on the outside,' but I saw a corner made a cut and got into the end zone," Tidridge said. "It always comes down to the last minutes of the game, and I just have to keep calm and make those big plays."

"She's one of the best athletes I've ever seen; she's hard-working, determined, and tough," said East Islip coach Robert Sconone. "She's what got us here, and she's the heartbeat of this team. I just knew I had to get her the ball."

Kings Park's Megan Kearney made an interception at the goal line, looking to preserve a 6-0 lead and put East Islip's hopes away midway through the second half, but when East Islip got the ball back, Tidridge had other plans.

She found a gap in Kings Park's defense to make a 35-yard play, setting up her own five-yard touchdown, and senior quarterback Lauren Glynn found Bianca Maitre for the extra point conversion to put East Islip (7-1) ahead.

"We were under pressure," Timbridge said. "I got the ball and was looking to get into the end zone to get my team in the lead."

She added: "If I get the ball, I'm just looking to get in the end zone, I'm going to make my turns, I'm going to cut, and I'm going to go get as far down the field as possible."

Tidridge and Glynn led the team in flag pulls with nine. Emily Mooney made two flag pulls, two tipped passes, and two TFLs. Sophia Aurrecoechea had two flag pulls, two sacks, two tipped passes, and two TFLs. Adrianna Belsito made three flag pulls.

Gianna Zawol found Kearney for a 20-yard touchdown at the two-minute mark of the first half to open up scoring for Kings Park (7-3).

East Islip clinched a playoff berth in its first year of the program, establishing itself as one of the better teams in the league.

"I couldn't be more proud of them. We had winter workouts, and they learned all the formations and coverages," said Sconone. "They're special. It's their first one ever; I told them before the season, whether they go 0-16 or 16-0, they will have their picture on the wall because they are the first group."
And a strong one at that.

 
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