Former Port Jefferson football player Sam Fabian gets two sacks for Rocky Point in win over ESM
Sam Fabian, a Rocky Point player from Port Jefferson, reacts after the Eagles' win over host Eastport-South Manor in a Suffolk Division III football game on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: James Escher
Sam Fabian unbuckled his light blue helmet and smiled from ear to ear. It lasted a while, and it might not go away all weekend.
The Port Jefferson student-athlete was unsure if he’d play football this season after his program canceled its varsity season due to a lack of players earlier this month. Fabian and other Port Jefferson teammates were given permission to join the Rocky Point team last week after the state’s Commissioner of Education office granted their appeal.
Fabian registered two sacks late in the fourth quarter of his Rocky Point debut to help put away a 35-14 victory over host Eastport-South Manor in Suffolk Division III Saturday. Three other former Port Jefferson players suited up, but didn’t see much time.
“It’s a dream come true, coming back to football,” Fabian said. “After two months of wondering if we were going to play, then coming back and making a difference for these guys, I was ecstatic.”
Rocky Point led 28-14 with 2:30 left in the game and Eastport-South Manor had the ball on the Eagles’ 13-yard line, facing second down. Fabian recorded sacks on two of the next three plays to force a turnover on downs with 2:03 remaining.
His teammates swarmed him.
“Making any big play is fun, but making it for your boys and having them all come hype you up, it was one of the greatest experiences,” Fabian said.
On Rocky Point’s next offensive play, senior quarterback Peyton Reisinger raced for a 65-yard touchdown. Reisinger rushed 15 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass and had an interception on defense.
“Just give me the ball and let me go,” Reisinger said. “My guys up front did a great job, and I felt like we could beat them up front. That’s what we did.”
Rocky Point (1-1) led 14-7 in the third quarter when Reisinger made a one-handed interception. Seven plays later, he scored on a 2-yard run to extend the lead to 21-7 with 2:37 left in the quarter.
Eastport-South Manor (1-1) quarterback Jayden Durham, who scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, connected with Cole Klein for a 3-yard score to cut the deficit to 21-14 with 6:48 left in the game.
After attempting only seven passes all game, Reisinger found Nicholas Moore on a deep shot over the middle for a 51-yard gain on Rocky Point’s next drive. It set up Reisinger’s 5-yard rushing touchdown and a 28-14 lead with 5:03 left.
Then came Fabian’s two sacks, providing a fitting finish to a debut he wasn’t sure would ever happen.
“I don’t know if you can tell right now — I’m smiling from ear to ear,” Fabian said. “This is what we live for, right? This is why we play football. I’m just so happy.”
