Medford flag football freshman Adrianna Gentile catches 2 TD passes, has INT in win over Huntington
Adrianna Gentile of Patchogue-Medford carries the ball during the first half during a Suffolk flag football game against Huntington on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Medford. Credit: Kelvin Loarca
Patchogue-Medford has a new offensive weapon, and she’s just a freshman.
Six-foot wide receiver Adrianna Gentile creates problems for defenses, and it showed against Huntington.
Gentile caught two touchdown passes and had one interception to lead host Patchogue-Medford over Huntington, 33-6, in Suffolk I girls flag football on Wednesday.
“She’s a matchup nightmare,” Patchogue-Medford coach Sean Ouellette said. “We move her all over the field, and it’s tough for defenses to have an answer.”
Patchogue-Medford led 7-0 with an opportunity to extend the lead in the second quarter. On third-and-goal, senior quarterback Mackenzie Hughes threw it up, and Gentile won the jump ball to help give the Raiders a 14-0 lead with 6:03 remaining in the quarter.
“I used a basketball move to get open,” Gentile said. “I had my hands up, and it was perfect timing. I saw my teammates running at me, and it felt amazing. The connection with the girls is great, they all treat me like their younger sister.”
Hughes then found Gentile for a 4-yard touchdown reception with 1:35 remaining in the half. Patchogue Medford (3-1) went up by 20.
Four plays later, Ella Melo had her second interception of the game. It set up Brielle Papaleo’s 1-yard rushing touchdown, and the Raiders took a 27-0 lead into halftime.
“It was about staying back and reading what they are going to do and what will come next,” Melo said. “In the second quarter, we really anticipated their plays. This game felt great, and we just keep going from here and keep moving up.”
In the fourth quarter, Huntington freshman Mikiyla Blizzard caught a pass from Ashley Moreno and took it 60 yards for a touchdown. Despite the loss, the Blue Devils, who had one win over the last three years, have started 2026 with a 2-2 record.
“Our team motto this year is do your job,” Huntington coach Malcolm Eugene said. “I think we’re just trying to establish a culture of girls who want to show up, work hard and trust their teammates. Overall, this team is young, and it excites me for the future.”
Hughes found Marie Cataldo for her fourth touchdown pass to extend the lead to 33-6 with 6:59 remaining. It was a third different receiver scoring a touchdown for the Raiders.
“On the field, it all connects,” Hughes said. “I can trust every single wide receiver. I treat them all like my younger sisters because once a Raider, always a Raider.”
