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After Amityville and Port Jefferson dropped varsity football, the Panthers found a new home opponent across state lines

An unusual scheduling situation has given the Miller Place football team something it normally wouldn’t get: a chance to face an opponent from outside New York.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, Miller Place will host Hasbrouck Heights of New Jersey in a nonconference 1 p.m. matchup, giving the Panthers a crack at a program they have never seen before.

When Amityville and Port Jefferson failed to field varsity teams this fall, Miller Place saw two games cut from its schedule, including its homecoming game. That left the Panthers with a six-game season and only two home games.

Port Jefferson’s players have since joined Rocky Point’s varsity under an interim state ruling, but the Royals’ original schedule, including the Miller Place game that was scheduled to be played earlier this month, remain forfeited.