GC Shuts Out South Side, Faces Unbeaten Lawrence Saturday
By Jake White

Dan Savage slips out of the grasp of South Side's Frank Barricelli and goes on for extra yards. Photo by Newsphoto.com

On a day when the temperature reached the mid 80's and the lifeguards were called back to work at Jones Beach, nothing was hotter than Garden City High's defense. The Trojans football team held the Cyclones to 19 total yards and just one first down on the way to a 26-0 victory before a sun-drenched crowd at Warren King Field last Saturday.

Garden City's fourth straight win sets up the game of the year in Conference II this Saturday when the Trojans visit undefeated (4-0) Lawrence which beat Calhoun, 49-0. Though Garden City has beaten Lawrence six of the last seven times they've met, the Golden Tornado won the big one last year, topping the Trojans, 19-6, in the Conference Final then upsetting Bellport in the Long Island Championship. This season with four-year starting quarterback P.J. Preziosa, Lawrence has been impressive in winning four straight games by a combined score of 183-37.

Against South Side, the GC victory was somewhat less than satisfying for the players and coaches. While the offense piled up season-best numbers in rushing (223 yards), passing (285 yards) and total yards (408), GC was able to score only four times in eight trips inside the Cyclones' 35 yard line. A missed field goal, a fumble, an interception and a dropped wide-open TD pass kept the score close for three quarters.

Joe Alleva in action. Photo by Newsphoto.com

Quarterback Brendan Carroll did his part, completing 15 of 25 passes for 171 yards, including a 17 yard touchdown toss to Kevin Rose (5 catches, 70 yards). Carroll also ran for 106 yards on 13 carries and had an 18 yard TD run.

Steve Hucke and Will Manning added touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to finally put the game away.

EXTRA POINTS: GC has outscored its four opponents, 111-17......Dennis Rice's interception gave the Trojans eight in four games and two have been returned for touchdowns....Carroll leads the team in rushing with 311 yards on 41 carries...Francis McDonough (110 yards) and Joe Alleva (11 catches) lead the receivers.....The game marked the 50th anniversary of Warren King Field which opened Oct. 5, 1957 with a 20-14 Trojan victory over Hicksville....GC holds a 16-10-3 edge over South Side all-time. Most of the Cyclone wins came in the late 1940's and early 50's when they set the county record with a 44 game unbeaten streak....The GC JV beat South Side, 43-0 in an impressive performance. They bring a 44 game winning streak into their game with the Lawrence JV this Saturday morning at GC at 9:30 a.m.....The 8th grade football team beat Bethpage, 40-12, and the 7th outlasted Bethpage, 44-33.

Bobby Fargnoli stops the Cyclones' Nick O'Reilly. Photo by Newsphoto.com

Ryan Dowling makes the catch as South Side's Greg Demas prepares to cover. Photo by Newsphoto.com Denis Rice has room to run. Photo by Newsphoto.com Ken Wright blocks against South Side's Clint McLaughlin. Photo by Newsphoto.com Matt Nesi carries for Garden City. Photo by Newsphoto.com Matt Montgomery finds room to run up the middle. Photo by Newsphoto.com Joe Calcaterra makes the tackle on South Side's Nick O'Reilly. Photo by Newsphoto.com