The Rocky Point Eagles came into the 2011 season looking for a fresh start. With a new spread, no huddle offense catered toward the team’s playmakers like quarterback Joe Kingston, the Eagles hoped it would lead to a more a dynamic offense that can strike big on any play.

Two games into the season, the Eagles are still searching for the right formula. On Friday night at Westhampton the Eagles fell 38-12 for the second straight blowout loss to start the Division III season.

New offense or old, the biggest problem for the Eagles against the Hurricanes (2-0) boiled down to the most fundamental principal in the game: protect the ball.

Rocky Point committed five turnovers, three of which led directly to scores. Two fumbles were returned for touchdowns (both by linebacker Brian Culhane) and an interception left the Hurricanes only 28 yards to travel for another back-breaking score.

“I’ve been playing against them since 2003 and they are an extremely well coached football team,” said Rocky Point coach Anthony DiLorenzo. “Every year he puts a good product on the field. It wasn’t us fumbling. They were making plays.”

The two teams featured contrasting styles on offense: the Hurricanes with a balanced running attack with no single rusher taking more than seven carries. The Eagles relied mostly on the legs and arm of Kingston and halfback Nick Lasalla.

“Their whole offense is based upon deception,” DiLorenzo said. “They’re going to bank on the fact that come the second quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter, fatigue makes cowards of us all. We’re going to blow assignments and they were right.”

Kingston carried 17 times at quarterback and rushed for 105 yards. He ran in one touchdown and threw another to senior Nick Strano from five yards out in the fourth quarter.

The Hurricanes got big plays from a host of players, including quarterback Jack Murphy. He was 4-of-7 passing for 58 yards with one touchdown. Three of his passes went to his brother T.J. The brothers connected on a 22-yard touchdown on a fade to the right corner of the end zone. The touchdown, with just three seconds left in the second quarter, put the Hurricanes ahead 26-0 and proved to be a dagger for the Eagles going into the locker room.

Westhampton’s possession was set up by an interception on the Eagles’ first play after a fumble led directly to a Westhampton touchdown.

Instead of driving for a chance to make it a one-score game going into halftime while getting the ball to start the second half, the Eagles instead found themselves in a nearly insurmountable hole.

“We can’t afford to piss away the first half of games,” DiLorenzo said. “We got to be consistent.”

The Hurricanes committed the first mistake of the game when they fumbled on the second play of the game. The Eagles took over in great field position at their own 47, but had to punt without picking up a first down. The Hurricanes quickly settled down on their next possession with an 11-play, 65-yard drive for a touchdown.

The Eagles trailed 32-0 before Kingston scored with 9:51 left in the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes immediately answered with their final score, a four-play drive that culminated in a 17-yard touchdown run by Jack Murphy. Evan Gagne had a 59-yard run to set up the score.

After giving up 48 points in their season opener at Eastport-South Manor, the Eagles will look to shore up the defense next week when they make their home debut on homecoming against Harborfields.

“Hopefully we can put a good product out on the field for the community to enjoy,” DiLorenzo said.

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