Shoreham-Wading River's Mia Mangano, Shealyn Varbero add Suffolk flag football titles to resumes

In its inaugural season, Shoreham-Wading River flag football found itself with an opportunity to take home a county title.

Mia Mangano and Shealyn Varbero had already won three county titles together in soccer. Now, the duo can add a flag football county championship.

“We knew when we started practicing that we could be very good,” Mangano said. “We always knew we could get here and win, but now actually being here is kind of crazy.”

Mangano had two receiving touchdowns and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Varbero threw both touchdowns, added a rushing score and had an interception as No. 2 Shoreham-Wading River defeated No. 4 Kings Park, 34-0, in the Suffolk Class C final at Sachem East High School on Wednesday.

Shoreham-Wading River (10-4) will face Cold Spring Harbor for the Long Island Class C championship at 2 p.m. Saturday at Long Island University.

Varbero opened the scoring with a 22-yard rushing touchdown with 8:09 left in the first quarter. She then connected with Mangano for a 14-yard touchdown to give Shoreham-Wading River a 13-0 lead.

“With this being Mia’s senior year, we thought soccer was it,” Varbero said. “We didn’t know flag football was going to be a thing, but for us to come out here and be a duo and work together is just awesome.”

Shoreham-Wading River held a 20-0 lead after three quarters. The Wildcats’ defense was anchored by Marisa Cacciola, as Brenna Molinelli and Varbero each added interceptions.

“We did a great job of pulling flags today,” Shoreham-Wading River coach Bob DeSilva said. “We played with speed, aggressiveness and stayed disciplined.”

Kings Park (4-14) upset top-seeded John Glenn, 19-18, to make its first county title appearance.

“Shoreham is very good and well coached,” Kings Park coach Rob Salem said. “It didn’t go our way, but I’m proud of the girls. That semifinal win is something I’ll never forget, and we’re going to be motivated for next year.”