Joe Alleva breaks up a pass intended for Lawrence's Jerrell Milligan. Photo by Newsphoto.com Even when the Trojans fell behind Lawrence 7-0 in the second quarter of

last Saturday's Nassau Conference II Championship game at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium, Gareden City fans were expecting a victory. After all, GC had won the last three titles and 16 over-all. Even this season with just two starters returning, the Trojans had won 8 of 9 games and had beaten Lawrence early in the season.

But not this time. Bryan DiSabato intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards to set up a second Golden Tornado touchdown. Then he returned a punt 36 yards which resulted in P.J. Preziosa's second TD run.

The scoreboard showed Lawrence ahead 19-0 after three periods.

A 26 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dean Gibbons to receiver Terry Kennedy briefly provided hope, but it proved to be the last score of the season for the trojans who fell 19-6 before a crowd of 2000 fans.

Gavin Crisafulli sacks Lawrence quarterback P.J. Preziosa. Photo by Newsphoto.com In the end it was a familiar lament for Garden City: the absence of a consistent running game (just 63 yards on 23 carries), and the failure to protect the quarterback. Gibbons completed 7 of 16 passes for 77 yards, but spent most of the game scrambling away from Lawrence's rush. The Trojans had no answer for the Golden Tornado's size up front.

The loss left the players dejected because they believed they could bring home a fourth straight county title. But as time heals their disappointment, they should realize that the under-sized, inexperienced 2006 Trojans over-achieved with their 8-2 record. The defense was a strength, allowing just 81 points in ten games.

EXTRA POINTS: Tough luck for Dillon Dwyer whose fourth quarter PAT was blocked, leaving him in a tie for the top spot in points scored by a kicker in LI history....Dean Gibbons, Tim Harder and Ryan Sweeney were named All-County....Season leaders included Gibbons in rushing (107 carries for 474 yards) and passing (51-90, 719 yards, 13 touchdowns, 2 INTs), Francis McDonough receiving (245 yards) and Terry Kennedy interceptions (4). Kennedy caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown against Lawrence.

Dean Gibbons scrambles out of the arms of Lawrence's Travis Kennedy. Photo by Newsphoto.com

After catching a punt, Joe Alleva(23) hands the ball back to Will Manning(25) on a reverse. Photo by Newsphoto.com Trojans team captains L-R Mark Pando, Steve Paladino and Dean Gibbons meet with the officials before the start of the game. Photo by Newsphoto.com