Unbeaten Trojans Blank Mepham At Homecoming
By Jake White

Joe Alleva goes up high to complete this catch against Mepham's Joseph Maniscalco. Photo by Newsphoto.com

With over 2,000 Homecoming fans crowding into Warren King Field last Saturday, the Garden City Trojans were anx-ious to make a good impression. They did just that, playing their best offensive and defensive game of the season in a 36-0 victory over previously unbeaten Mepham.

The Trojans, now 3 and 0, wasted no time getting on the board. On their first possession quarterback Brendan Carroll passed to Ryan Dowling for 39 yards, then ran 10 yards for the first touchdown.

After Mepham was forced to punt, Garden City marched 80 yards for another score. This time Carroll connected with wide receiver Francis McDonough for a 20 yard touchdown on a third-and-ten play. Carroll, who completed 6 of 11 passes for 117 yards, was firing the ball and running effectively. He rushed for 34 yards on just three carries, including a touchdown. On the first play of the second quarter Carroll hit Joe Alleva over the middle and the speedy receiver took the ball 34 yards to pay-dirt to put GC ahead, 20-0.

Francis McDonough twists his way out of the hands of a Mepham defender to gain extra yards. Photo by Newsphoto.com

With the offense having made its statement, it was time for the defense to step up. On the final play of the first half Dan Savage picked off a Mepham pass on his own 27 yard line and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown and a 27-0 lead.

After Connor Dwyer booted a 30 yard field goal in the third quarter, his first on the varsity level, it was Patrick Reeves who thrilled the big crowd. Only minutes after being named Homecoming King, the 6'4" senior intercepted another Mepham pass and weaved 42 yards through the Pirates for the final touchdown in the 36-0 win.

Mepham (2-1) never mounted an offense in this one. The North Bellmore school was held to 120 total yards and their quarterback Anthony Correale was intercepted three times and sacked five - three of them by Tom Mahoney.

The Garden City varsity cheerleaders entertained the crowd at halftime. Photo by Newsphoto.com

EXTRA POINTS: The Trojans host South Side this Saturday with a late 3 p.m. kickoff due to testing. The Cyclones are 0-3 and were crushed by Lawrence, 49-7, last week.....Many of the alumni commented on the terrific halftime performances of the GC Kickline, Band and Cheerleaders......The Trojans have beaten Mepham 23 times in 25 meetings since the first in 1937.....Coach Tom Flatley won his 190th game against just 31 losses...In an example of perfect offensive balance, the Trojans passed for 117 yards and rushed for 117....The two pass interceptions returned for touchdowns tied a team record set November 3, 1956 against Manhasset when Frank Huber did it twice....The GC JV football team, after crushing Bellmore JFK, 46-8, on Monday, topped Mepham's JV 40-8 to improve to 3 and 0 this season and extend its winning streak to 43 straight games.

Homecoming queen Erin Brennan. (Homecoming king was football player Pat Reeves, who was in the locker room dur-ing the halftime festivities) Photo by Newsphoto.com The Garden City kickline performs at halftime. Photo by Newsphoto.com The Trojan mascot. Photo by Newsphoto.com The color guard on the field for the halftime show. Photo by Newsphoto.com Fans cheer on the Trojans. Photo by Newsphoto.com Will Manning takes down Mepham's quarterback Anthony Correale. Photo by Newsphoto.com Denis Rice scrambles for additional yards. Photo by Newsphoto.com Garden City's marching band during the halftime show. Photo by Newsphoto.com