An 85-yard touchdown pass for the Wantagh Warriors early in the first quarter confirmed what fans were thinking: it was going to be a good day. The signs of a successful homecoming on Sept. 27 were there early, from great weather to the large crowds that lined Wantagh Avenue for the parade.

It was the parade that kicked off the festivities, running from Bunker Avenue to Wantagh High School. The traditional march through town embodied the Warrior spirit in which school and community regularly come together. This year’s parade began with a color guard from the American Legion and a Wantagh fire truck, followed by the board of education and administration, PTAs, the Miss Wantagh Court, high school marching band, cheerleaders, class floats, homecoming court and local youth sports groups.

The crowds migrated from the side of the road to the high school’s athletic complex where they admired the class floats representing the four seasons and watched the Warriors warm up for their game against the Hewlett Bulldogs. Up in the press box, announcer extraordinaire Bill Bogatz gave fans some history of the Wantagh-Hewlett rivalry, noting they first played each other in 1955, and that Wantagh had won 18 of their 23 previous matchups. Mr. Bogatz, the retired social studies teacher, was selected as the parade’s grand marshal. 

Following the national anthem, it was time for football. Wantagh was off to a quick start as wide receiver Devin Paccione caught a pass from quarterback Carter Loughman and ran the length of the field for the first score. The Warriors defeated Hewlett 48-22 for their third win of the season in as many games.

Halftime featured the introduction of the homecoming court, with Ryan Martone and Lana Lee crowned king and queen. Sofia Aufiero and Calaya Encarnacion were the runners-up for queen. General organization co-presidents Danny Donahue and Nina Myers announced the juniors as the winners of the float competition with their fall-themed design. The cheerleaders performed, followed by the marching band and kickline. The band played a snippet of its show for the upcoming Newsday Marching Band Festival, which will feature music from the 1970s, 80s and 90s.