The Big Cats, Babylon's fine offensive front, opened holes wide enough for their grandparents to walk through arm-in-arm, as the Panthers ripped the Bayport Phantoms 49-7 at Bayport's Sullivan Field last Saturday. Both clubs were 6-1 entering the game.

That line - center Wil Dupre flanked by guards Mike Augello and Andrew Cosby, tackles Nick Brennan and Pat Pietrowski and tight end Kevin Kelland - have been leading the way all season. They've done it again, as the Panthers will go to the postseason playoffs for the thirteenth straight year. Babylon has scored 317 points during the regular season, 30 points higher than the next school among the 110 public school teams in Nassau/Suffolk.

The Panthers scored twice in the opening period. Tailback Bryan Schweitzer banged over right guard from the 2-yard line. Their second touchdown capped a 64-yard drive as quarterback Greg Griffo found flanker Alex Grandal in the right side of the end zone. The play covered 27 yards. In the second quarter, Griffo intercepted a pass at his own 48 and lugged it to the Bayport 26. A late hit penalty moved it to the 13. Three plays later, Schweitzer scored again from the 2, this time off left tackle.

Grandal took the kickoff at the Babylon 15 to start the second half, tore through the middle, cut left and went the distance, an 85 yard return. Three minutes later following a pick by Steve Loudon, Jaquan Pate ran one in from the 14. Bayport got on the board when Dylan Gray returned a kickoff 89 yards for a TD. Ian Bateman kicked the extra point.

Now the Smurfs took over. They rumbled 72 yards on seven plays with quarterback Dylan Hopkins hitting two passes for 43 yards. Satchel Holder raced around the right side from the 16 for the score. Nineteen seconds later, Grandal picked off a pass at the Bayport 34 and ran it in.

In all, Grandal had quite a day. He scored three touchdowns on a 27 yard pass, an 85 yard kick return and a 34 yard interception return. Add to that his 7 for 7 on extra point kicks and a pair of catches for 56 yards.

Meredith Carlock's Cheerleaders were there as well. They make it to every game, in all weather, to perform as members of the Babylon team - Corey Asner, Jenny Banks, Claire Buser, Ashley Byrne, Abigail Carlock, Meghan Cernilli, Corinne Delgatto, Grace Godfrey, Taylor Grattola, Rebecca Lang, Katie Martino, Maggie Rose Melito, Christy Necroto, Caitlyn Patwell and Jessica Tillinghast. It's the kind of support that makes for a successful athletic program.

It was Senior Day at Bayport. The Bayport senior players, the cheerleaders and their families were honored before the game and each received a warm applause from both sides of the field.

Other stuff: Besides the picks by Griffo, Loudon and Grandal, JT Pate had an interception, Pietrowski a sack and Kendall a recovery (which he ran into the end zone, but was called back). Griffo was 4 of 8 in the air for 89 yards and a TD. He also carried for 47 yards. Schweitzer had 13 carries for 72 yards and 2 scores. Bayport quarterback Billy Ray was 9 of 20 passing for 72 yards. The Panther offense hogged the ball for 60 plays and gained 408 yards. The Black D held the Phantoms to 120 net yards on 39 plays, forcing five turnovers.

The playoffs begin this weekend with a new format. Eight teams will enter. Babylon completed the regular season at 7-1 and finished second in Division IV. They will host the seventh place Mercy Monarchs (5-3). The schedule will be Friday evening at Babylon's Williams Field, 7 pm.