Half Hollow Hills flag football's Samantha Heyman accounts for five TDs in win over Ward Melville
Samantha Heyman of Half Hollow Hills passes the ball in the third quarter of a Suffolk League I flag football matchup against Ward Melville on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in East Setauket. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Half Hollow Hills' flag football program has had some great teams over the past few years, but this season the depth has been a difference-maker.
Three different receivers caught touchdowns for Hills in a 31-0 win over host Ward Melville in Suffolk I Wednesday afternoon. Hills defense pitched its fourth shutout in its first four games.
“We have a lot of depth on this team,” quarterback Samantha Heyman said. “This is the first year that we’ve had all these returners. Everyone’s working hard and wants to win for the person next to them.”
Heyman completed 19 of 25 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 57 yards and another score. Heyman found Zoe Franks on passes of 26 and 22 yards on Hills' opening drive, setting up Heyman’s 1-yard rushing touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 6:46 left in the first quarter.
Emma Gould had seven flag pulls and three sacks for Hills (4-0), which led 12-0 at halftime.
“On defense we have four shutouts, but we haven’t peaked yet defensively,” Coach Michael Lupa said. “Emma Gould was great. She's one of the best rushers in this entire division. She never quits and never stops hustling.
“And this is the most depth we’ve ever had. We have multiple receivers that can make big plays.”
Hills picked up the pace offensively in the third quarter. Heyman connected with Emma Wilck over the middle and Wilck juked past defenders, accelerating for a 35-yard touchdown and a 19-0 lead with 9:43 left in the quarter.
Heyman threw touchdown passes to Gould and Franks in the fourth quarter. Franks finished with eight catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Hills has outscored opponents 157-0 through four games.
“Hills is a really good team,” Ward Melville coach Rich Russo said. “They have some of the best players I’ve seen. They did a good job. For us, we have a lot of young kids. We need to do the little things better, but we’ll improve.”
