Wildcats Fall, But Homecoming Spirits High

Festivities begin bright and early Saturday morning as a homecoming parade, including the Whitman’s cheerleaders, ends at the high school’s doorstep.

Though they eventually fell to Sachem North 25-22, the Wildcats of Walt Whitman High School’s football team didn’t give up without a fight on homecoming day.

Down 22-7 at the half, the Wildcats responded by outscoring Sachem North (1-4) handily in the second half. Whitman was just a field goal away from taking the Flaming Arrows into overtime.

The Wildcats’ offense was led by junior quarterback Isiah Wilkerson, who contributed to all three of Whitman’s scores.

In the second quarter, Wilkerson connected on a 44-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Tyrese Betts. In the third quarter, Wilkerson showed off his mobility, punching in a 10-yard touchdown run, but Sachem extended its lead with a field goal to bring the score to 25-14.

Wilkerson tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to junior Jamari Brown late in the fourth quarter, but time ultimately ran out on the Wildcats (1-4).

Whitman is in action at home again on Saturday when the Wildcats are scheduled to welcome Patchogue-Medford for a scheduled 2 p.m. kickoff. Patchogue-Medford (2-3) is coming off a 28-20 win over Sachem East on Oct. 10.

-WROBLEWSKI