Much optimism surrounds varsity Bellport Clippers football in 2022. A year ago featured a terrific fall 2021 campaign with a 7-1 regular season record, where they hoisted a trophy after a 13-0 shutout over Huntington to win the Suffolk County Championship for the first time since 2010, earning a trip to the Long Island Championship.

Due to last year’s success, much buzz and eagerness surrounds the Bellport faithful, as an air of expectancy surrounds the adroit and polished varsity lettermen. With their high-powered offense corresponding with doughty and determined defense, the Clippers hope to win their first Long Island Championship in a dozen years. Bellport last reached the pinnacle after knocking off Garden City for a 26-21 win in the 2010 Long Island Championship.

Current senior running back and defensive back Donte Phillips is hoping to make history, as he needs 697 rushing yards to break the all-time Bellport record of rushing yards. In his splendid gridiron attributes excelling on both the offensive and defensive side of the field, Phillips has enumerated 17 touchdowns on the ground and five interceptions at cornerback.

Last year, senior Justin Miles both caught and deflected passes at wide receiver and defensive back. In 2022, he will switch his position to starting quarterback. Miles will be under center in Week 1, calling all the signals and leading the 11 men on offense, equipped with his powerful arm and agile running skills.

Senior Jason Hunt is a dexterous player gifted with all-around, quintessential athletic talent. Hunt is a pass rusher, tight end, and receiver. Last season, the trio of juniors were tremendous contributions to the Suffolk County title. Miles caught 15 passes, totaling 527 yards, and found the end zone four times. Hunt was vehemently blustery and fierce on the defensive line, tallying 89 total tackles, 49 of them solo tackles, and feasted on his opponents with 15 tackles for a loss and seven quarterback sacks.

Phillips led the ground game with 971 total rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, and battered his opponents’ offense, summating 60 defensive tackles. Led by head coach Jamie Fabian, the 2022 eight-game season began on Saturday, Sept. 10, as the Clippers hosted West Babylon. One week later, Lindenhurst visited Bellport for another 2 p.m. matchup, followed by three road games. The Clippers will then be hosted by the Connetquot Thunderbirds on Sept. 23 for an evening contest under the lights, and seven days later will do the same against the West Islip Lions, with kickoff at 6 p.m. On Oct. 8, the Clippers travel to Half Hollow Hills; then Bellport returns home for back-to-back 2 p.m. meetings against Northport, then Newfield. The regular season concludes with a 6 p.m. game at Smithtown West Bulls.

Bellport won their season opener against West Babylon, 47-21. After holding a 26-21 lead at halftime, their tenacious defense pitched a shutout in the second half. Phillips paved the way with 111 yards credited to his ground game, scoring four touchdowns—two rushing, one receiving—and took 160 yards to the house for a TD on a kickoff return.

Miles was ascribed with three touchdowns—two touchdown tosses and one score via a 75-yard kickoff return. The unassailable defense was sturdy all afternoon. Hunt made 11 tackles, all which included a safety, four tackles for a loss of yards, and sacked the quarterback twice.

Kyle Brown contributed with a sack and 10 tackles. Jahden Oldums rushed for 42 yards and Andrew McLaurin ran for a 6-point score. Lindenhurst beat Bellport in the season’s second game, 23-19. The Clippers drew first blood after Tyler Burke hauled in a pass, then ran all the way to the end zone for 74 yards.

In the fourth quarter, Phillips had a three-yard rushing TD accumulating in 6 points, and Hunt had a 27-yard receiving touchdown, putting 19 points on the board for the Clippers, but they fell short against Lindenhurst.