LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — At the outset of a season’s journey, teams set sail from a common harbor and venture into the perilous seas of competition. With banners held high and lofty words of encouragement, they aspire to reach the golden shores of success. But what awaits them are waters fraught with turbulence and upheaval. Most will be sundered, some sooner, others later. But even against such odds, some seem inured to onslaught, and onward they go, bound and determined to come through the maelstrom or go down gallantly with the ship.

For the second straight week, some prognosticators predicted a rupture in the heretofore impermeable ironsides of the Sullivan West Bulldogs’ football galleon. Last week that broadside hit was to come from Millbrook; this week’s fusillade was to come from the state’s 12th-ranked Class B team, the Highland Huskies. But when the smoke cleared, it was still “Westward Ho” as the undefeated Dawgs 6-0 (1-0 OCIAA) sank vaunted Highland by the score of 6-0 via a one-yard TD run by Ronj Padu with 1:03 remaining in the game. Sullivan West’s defense was outstanding. Andrew Stabbert’s timely interception of a desperation Hail Mary pass from Huskies’ quarterback Brendan Mack provided the final gust of wind blowing the mighty vessel toward this week’s homecoming league fray with Tri-Valley and its subsequent clash with arch-rival Liberty. No Class C team has clinched a playoff berth as yet. Liberty 5-1 (1-0 OCIAA) edged Section One dynamo Tuckahoe 13-12 in an impressive non-league tilt. Now the Indians sail east to Millbrook 4-2 (1-1 OCIAA) for a key league fray. A Liberty win could bounce Millbrook from contention and could augur a title clash between Sullivan West and Liberty. Tie-breakers would come on the fewest points given up in league play. Last weekend, the Blazers trounced Tri-Valley 4-2 (0-1 OCIAA) 54-14. Football is just one of the seven seas of fall play that includes boys and girls soccer, girls tennis, boys and girls cross-country and volleyball. On each of those oceans, fine ships sail on toward sectional play. As of now, those who have already qualified for sectionals include Eldred’s girls soccer 9-2-1 (2-0 OCIAA) and Fallsburg’s boys soccer 10-2-1 (3-0-1 OCIAA). Several other teams are still in contention. In cross-country, this week’s divisional championships at Tri-Valley (Division IV) and Eldred (Division V) will be the opening salvo for the coming title meets that include the OCIAA Championships, Section IX Championships and ultimately the state meet for the few elite who qualify. Those stormy sea tales are yet to be written. Stay tuned. For albums of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com.