Wantagh had a problem to solve, sitting 14 points down early in the second quarter against Bethpage. Not the place you want to be sitting with a county championship as the prize for winning.

“Obviously, a little nervous,” said Carter Loughman, Wantagh’s senior quarterback. “But I know with this team we can battle back.”

Coach Keith Sachs said, “My goal was to be down by seven at halftime.”

His team beat his goal. Wantagh started climbing out. It was down by one at halftime. By the time 1:58 had passed in the third, it was up by seven. Before the quarter was done, it was up by 14.

Problem solved.

Fourth-seeded Wantagh held on to beat No. 3 Bethpage 28-21 Saturday at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium and claim the Nassau Conference III football title and a ticket to the Long Island Class III cha

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