The New Hyde Park Gladiator’s homecoming game took place last Saturday, and home is where they were stayed as the team struggled to get out of their own territory all game losing to the Wantagh Warriors 35-8.
“We have great players, and they did a great job today, but the ball just didn’t bounce our way,” Gladiator coach Kevin Dolan said following the loss to Wantagh. “Next week we are going to call the good plays. This isn’t the NFL or college football, it’s high school football and it’s still an educational process.”
Wantagh (5-1) took an early lead in the first quarter as Matt Balzano scored his first touchdown on a 3-yard carry, following a 37-yard run by teamate Joe Giardina.
At the end of the first quarter the Gladiators opted to pass on a third and 16 from their own territory, which was intercepted by Wantagh’s Will Fitzpatrick. The Warriors failed to capitalize on the interception, as their quarterback Nick Mullen was sacked by Gladiator’s linebacker Josh Lee on a third down.
This would prove to be one of the few times New Hyde Park defense was able to hold Wantagh’s offensive line.
As the second quarter began Wantagh started on New Hyde Park’s 49-yard line. Wantagh brought the ball down to the 22-yard line and decided to go for it on fourth and 12. A quick pass and a sweep to the left took Belzano back to the endzone as Wantagh increased their score 14-0.
After failing to convert a on fourth and 18 from their own 30-yard line, New Hyde Park was forced to punt again. On the return Wantagh picked up a personal foul, forcing them to start from their own 26-yard line. However, this wasn’t a problem for Wantagh’s Joe Giardina who on the first play of the series ran the ball back for a 72-yard touchdown.
New Hyde Park wasn’t ready to go into halftime down 21 points, as they moved towards Wantagh’s endzone with only a few minutes left.
Converting to a first down for only the second time in the half, New Hyde Park saw itself looking at third and 5 on Wantagh’s 34-yard line.
With one minute left in the half, New Hyde Park’s quarterback Nick Perrone connected with running back Francis Terrero for a 50-yard touchdown pass. It was quickly followed by a two-point conversion by Steve Keane.
Looking to keep the team’s momentum, New Hyde Park went for an onside kick which they recovered with 35 seconds left, but was unable to turn it into a touchdown as the half ended, with Wantagh up 21-8.
At the start of the second half, both teams started out slow, failing to convert to a first down on both their opening series.
Wantagh’s pace quickly picked up as they continued to dominate New Hyde Park for the rest of the game, scoring 14 unanswered points.
A 35-yard fumble return by Wantagh’s Joe Brasile would be the final touchdown for Wantagh as New Hyde Park was unable to score in the 2nd half of the game.
The New Hyde Park Warriors will play the Carle Place Frogs on Saturday Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Carle Place High.
Reach reporter Timothy Meyer by e-mail at meyerj.tim@gmail.com.
