Trojans Rally To Beat Carey In Opener
By Jake White

QB Brendan Carroll looks to throw against Carey. photo by Newsphoto.com

Though the scoreboard showed a 7-7 tie at halftime of Garden City High's opening football game at Carey last Saturday, the score didn't really reflect the game. The Seahawks had controlled the ball, rolling up twice as many yards and running twice as many plays. GC's offense at that point consisted mainly of one picture-perfect 57-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Brendan Carroll to Francis McDonough in the first quarter.

Though back on their heels, the Trojan defense allowed just one score, a 27-yard pass from Seahawk quarterback Sal Intagliata to Joe Carr.

"There's something beautiful about 'Bend, Don't Break" said Garden City's veteran head coach Tom Flatley who has been frustrating opposing offensive coordinators for three decades. "Our defense kept us in the game in the first half until we were able to get things going."

The Trojans came out in the second half with a strong running game and excellent special teams play to overcome a 10-7 deficit and pull away for a 21-10 season-opening victory before a raucous standing-room-only crowd at Carey's Marc Martone Field.

Jeff Fell tackles Carey's Sal Cerami during game action. photo by Newsphoto.com

"Carey is tough," Flatley said. " Their quarterback did an excellent job.

This was a good win for us against a good football team, but we still have a lot of work to do."

How did G C completely change the flow of the game after the intermission?

"Conditioning" said the coaches.

While the Seahawks' QB Sal Intagliata controlled the first half, Trojan QB Brendan Carroll, making his first varsity start, changed the game with some strong running. After penalties halted a Trojan scoring threat in the third period, Joe Alleva returned a punt to Carey's 41-yard line. Carroll then sprinted around right end for 37 yards to set up Dan Savage's four yard touchdown run which gave Garden City the lead.

On the ensuing series Joe Calcaterra blocked a Carey punt and Gavin Crisafulli covered it at the Seahawks' 5. Savage's second TD run and Connor Dwyer's third PAT provided the final margin of 21-10.

Running back Will Manning is airborne as he gains a few more yards for Garden City. photo by Newsphoto.com

EXTRA POINTS: The Trojans travel to Bellmore Kennedy for a rare Sunday game due to the Jewish high holy day. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Kennedy, seeded sixth, dropped its opener to neighborhood rival Calhoun, 13-7.....GC is now 13-1 all-time against Carey.....The Seahawks won all the stats except the big one - points. Carey outgained GC 289-181, had 72 plays to 49, 14 first downs to 7. Intagliata completed 12 of 28 passes for 161 yards. Carroll hit on 6 of 13 tosses for 75......The 57 yard TD pass from Carroll to McDonough was the Trojans' longest since the 2003 Nassau Conference II victory over MacArthur when Tom Marino caught a 62 -yard halfback option from Mike Munnelly......Patrick Reeves had the first fumble recovery of the season.....The Garden City JV football team beat Carey 38-16 to extend its winning streak to 41 games. The JV will play next Monday afternoon at home at 4:00 against Bellmore Kennedy.

With Kyle Boelson (left) making a key block against Carey's James Spanopoulos, Dan Savage is able to score his second touchdown of the game. photo by Newsphoto.com

The Garden City captains L-R: Dan Savage, Brendan Carroll and Declan Fee before the start of the game against Carey. photo by Newsphoto.com Francis McDonough makes the catch, scoring the Trojans' first touchdown of the season. photo by Newsphoto.com