Friday night, under the lights, home opener. The Island Trees football team was in its element.

Island Trees had no issue putting a tally in the win column in Levittown during its first Nassau Conference IV matchup against East Rockaway, a 41-15 victory.

In the team’s second annual Patriot Game, observed on the closest scheduled game to Sept. 11, the Bulldogs donned red, white and blue uniforms.

“Our Patriot Game is a big night for us,” coach Ryan Vinberg said. “East Rockaway is always a tough team, but we showed up for this and for a cause.”

While both teams shook off the rust in the first quarter, it did not take the Bulldogs long to find their groove. About halfway into the quarter, quarterback Sean Navarrete found tight end Ryan Mabrouk going deep to connect for a 50-yard score

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