Agovino Bowl takes center stage

Dominic Agovino’s Plainedge teammates came up with a nickname for the Red Devils game at North Shore: 

“The Agovino Bowl.’’

It was contested last Saturday with the son, Dominic, besting his father, Dan, North Shore’s longtime head coach in his 23rd season.

The final score was Plainedge 35, North Shore 0. The final irony on a day of ironies was Dominic plunging in from the 1-yard line for Plainedge’s last score with 1 minute left.

“It was cool - the final blow,’’ said Dominic Agovino. “It was me versus my dad and that’s how it ended. Since it was the game’s end, I think (my father) was more excited instead of “Oh crap, we got to get it back.’’

Indeed, Dan Agovino enjoyed the last touchdown despite a mixed-feelings afternoon. A Plainedge sophomore, Dominic starts at cornerback and is the backup running back for the 4-0 Red Devils. 

In the North Shore stands sat Dan’s wife, Nicole, Dominic’s grandmother, Pat, and Dan’s two other sons, Ryan and Sean. Ryan is the announcer for Plainedge’s livestream broadcasts.

“After he scored, I looked over where they were standing in the bleachers with a little smirk,’’ Dan Agovino said. “It was a nice moment for everyone.’’

The coach thought he wouldn’t be too distracted. He was wrong. During the week, father and son  bantered back and forth, mostly strategy talk.

Dominic was on Plainedge’s kickoff team as the game started. “I was totally focused on the task at hand to beat Plainedge,’’ Dan said. “Then all of a sudden, we lined up for the kickoff, it hit me: “Oh my god, that’s my son”. It was a surreal feeling. He grew up on the North Shore sideline with me.’’

Dominic, in sixth grade, was waterboy when the Vikings won the 2021 Long Island championship. “I was in the coach’s office and was friends with them,” Dominic said. “It was an away game so I got to play on the field I grew up on.’’

Dominic’s collection of maroon North Shore gear – even  Long Island championship shirts – have been put away since entering high school. 

 “With Coach [Rob] Shaver, I didn’t want him to see me in the North Shore gear,’’ Dominic said.’’

In late June, father Agovino asked Shaver if he could make the trip for Plainedge’s 7-on-7 scrimmage at  Wilkes (Pa.)  College. Agovino didn’t want Shaver to think he was spying, considering their October matchup. “In his classy way, Shaver said, “You’re a dad first,’’ Agovino said. 

Midway through the third quarter, Dominic was sent in at running back with the score ballooning. He finished with 95 yards. 

“As the game wore on, I was more and more keeping my eye on him,’’ Agovino said. “Because I’m very proud of the way he’s played - a sophomore contributing the way he is. You want to see your North Shore athletes step up and that was my No. 1 job that day. But watching your son do his thing is something special.’’

North Shore Athletic Director Don Lang told coach Agovino afterward: “He’s a good little player, how well he sees the field.’’

After the handshake line, Dominic joined his family for photographs. Dominic stayed humble. “He knew he got me,’’ Dan said. “It said it on his face.’’