Theo Ball-to-Livs Kuplins connection lifts East Hampton

East Hampton/Bridgehampton/Pierson lost by a lot to Half Hollow Hills West in the Suffolk III quarterfinals last November. But the Bonackers had the program’s first taste of postseason football in a dozen years, and it made them hungry.

“It motivated us a ton,” said James Corwin, a senior middle linebacker and a returning starter from that 5-4 team. “… We knew that we were going to come back stronger. We want to get further in the playoffs this year, but we’re taking it a game at a time.”

They have indeed come back stronger. The Bonackers followed a blowout win over Smithtown West with a 27-7 victory over Westhampton Saturday at East Hampton.

Theo Ball threw for 95 yards and two touchdowns, both to Livs Kuplins. Cole Dunchick, Corwin and Jackson Carney grabbed interceptions.

So this team has won four straight and is off to a 4-1 start.

“We’re definitely for real,” coach Joe McKee said. “We’ve proved the last two weeks we can play with the top teams. Westhampton is a quality, quality program, tough kids, absolutely huge offensive and defensive lines.”

It seems to be a natural progression for McKee’s program.

SEE PHOTOSWesthampton vs. East Hampton

“It’s a testament to our senior group,” he said. “Those kids have been bought in for four years now. They live and breathe football. They work hard all offseason. They work hard during the season. I think last year they proved to themselves that we were a good team. We made the playoffs. We had some quality wins.

“And now we’re just taking the next step.”

They have yielded just one touchdown in each of the last four games after opening with an 18-17 loss to Eastport-South Manor.

“I think we’re a good all-around team, but I’ve been telling the kids all year that we’re going to rely on our defense,” McKee said. “That kind of seems to be the heart and soul of our team.”

Westhampton, now 2-3 after reaching the 2024 semifinals, lost junior quarterback Jake Calloway to a torn shoulder labrum in its opener. Coach Bryan Schaumloffel doesn’t think he will be back this season. So the Hurricanes have been leaning on running back Nic Simone.

The junior’s rushing tab came to 525 yards and 10 TDs in wins the previous two weeks. But the Bonackers “held” him to 146 yards and one touchdown on 30 carries.

“I think they did a great job,” Schaumloffel said.

The Bonackers built a 20-0 lead after one quarter.

Jai Feaster ran 4 yards for a touchdown. Then Ball went long for Kuplins down the left sideline. The seniors connected on a 41-yard TD.

After Orson O’Brien blocked a punt, Ball went short and left to Kuplins, who took it for a 14-yard score.

“Coming into this game, last week I pulled a hamstring, so today was a little iffy,” Ball said. “But I have so much trust in Livs. I trusted him the whole game to make a play for me.”

Simone ran 4 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Then on the final play of the half, Westhampton offensive coordinator Mark Johnson called for Dan Shannon to carry on a reverse from the Bonackers’ 8. But Charlie Stern and Carney stopped Shannon at the 1 to keep it at 20-7.

“That was a killer,” Schaumloffel said. “… I thought it was a great, great call.”

Late in the third, Carney picked off Pat Fay. That led to a 1-yard TD run by Jackson Ronick.

“At 2-3, we’re showing up Monday and going to work,” Schaumloffel said. “We’ve got Sayville next week, which is a big rivalry.”