Longwood flag football's Claire Sclafani runs for 2 TDs, throws for another to beat Patchogue-Medford
Longwood quarterback Claire Sclafani prepares to throw a pass during a flag football game against Patchogue-Medford on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Longwood High School. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Longwood quarterback Claire Sclafani knew her vocal leadership could only do so much.
Down seven at halftime, on the first drive of the third quarter, Sclafani scanned the field and flipped the momentum with her legs.
On fourth-and-2, she ripped off a 22-yard rushing touchdown. She later tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Aliyah Khamis in the fourth quarter.
Sclafani had 229 passing yards and one touchdown and 105 rushing yards with two scores to lead Longwood to a 21-19 victory over Patchogue-Medford in Suffolk I girls flag football on Wednesday.
“It was a mentality shift,” Sclafani said. “Words can only do so much. Me trying to get everyone fired up can only do so much. I had some great blocks in front of me, and as they were closing in, it wasn’t a choice — I had to run. At the end of the day, that was the momentum shift.”
To start the game, Patchogue-Medford quarterback Mackenzie Hughes treated the crowd to an air show.
She threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, connecting with Camryn Young (21 yards) and Hailey Delellis (44 yards). Patchogue-Medford (4-4) led 13-6 at halftime.
Longwood’s defense then answered the call. The Lions registered three sacks and two interceptions in the second half.
“We didn’t make the plays in the first half,” Longwood coach Aden Smith said. “We used our base defense, and we were able to grab flags and find a way to slow them down offensively.”
Offensively, Sclafani took it to another gear. She ran for a 22-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion pass to Khamis. Longwood (9-1) led by one with 8:29 left in the third quarter.
The pair connected again for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 5:59 left in the fourth quarter to lead 21-13.
“When the moment comes, we’re always there,” Sclafani said. “When we need two points or a touchdown, it’s not a question if we can do this — it’s we’re going to do this.”
Hughes found Adrianna Gentile for a 15-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left. But the two-point conversion fell incomplete, with Khamis in coverage. The onside kick attempt — one play to gain 20 yards — also fell incomplete.
