Trojans Struggle To 13-6 Win Over Mac Arthur
By Jake White

Francis McDonough intercepts a MacArthur pass. Photo by Newsphoto.com

Sometimes success can be a heavy burden to carry. When a football team wins 85 percent of its games over a quarter of a century, it sets the bar very high

How else to explain the lack of satisfaction in Garden City High's 13-6 victory over MacArthur at Warren King Field last Saturday. The Trojans improved to 5-1 in Nassau Conference II, but a stumbling offense took much of the joy out of the win.

GC was unable to move the ball in the first period and in fact completed three consecutive quarters without a first down dating back to the second half of last week's Lawrence game. Poor blocking, untimely penalties and even bad snaps combined to keep this game close.

MacArthur, which was seeded third in the 14 team conference, completed only 11 of 32 passes against the Trojans' defense which gave coach Tom Flatley some reason to be pleased. In fact, opponents have averaged only eight points per game against Garden City this year. What has been missing in the new spread offense is ball control. GC has yielded more offensive plays and more first downs to their opponents despite the winning record. Although the team is averaging 21 points per game, it has not been able to put lesser opponents away.

Steve Hucke applies the tackle to MacArthur's Nick McQuail. Photo by Newsphoto.com

It wasn't until Will Manning intercepted a Generals' pass mid-way through the second period that the Trojan offense got rolling. Quarterback Brendan Carroll, who has been a bright spot, put together consecutive runs of 16 and 14 yards then hit wide receiver Francis McDonough for 11 yards to the MacArthur five. Four plays later Dan Savage bulled in from the one to put the Trojans ahead, 7-0.

Carroll extended the lead to 13-0 with 5:40 left in the third quarter when he found Francis McDonough alone in the right corner of the end zone on a second and goal from the five-yard line.

MacArthur made it interesting when sophomore, quarterback Nick McQuail, who completed 11 of 30 passes for 124 yards, connected on a 31 yard scoring toss to Tom Celentani with 5:07 left in the game. Garden City then ran out the clock with Dan Savage doing the bulk of the ball carrying and Carroll chipping in with a 32 yard run which gave him 92 on the day. Just when it looked as if the Trojans would add a touchdown to make the final margin more indicative of the game, a holding penalty negated the score.

Dan Savage stiff arms MacArthur's Brandon Mullholland. Photo by Newsphoto.com

Pretty or not, the victory clinched a home playoff game for Garden City, which can clinch second place with a win against 5-1 Hewlett at Warren King Field this Saturday at 2 p.m.

EXTRA POINTS: Punter Matt Nesi had an excellent day, highlighted by a booming picture-perfect 65 yard punt which took a right turn and bounced out of bounds on the MacArthur one yard line...Garden City now leads MacArthur 25-1-1 all-time since the series began in 1979...The Trojans have intercepted 12 passes in six games with McDonough's four leading the way...Former Notre Dame and New York Giant lineman/linebacker Bob Bill, a member of the class of 1957 and their undefeated football team, spoke to the team before the game. Bill was on hand for his 50th reunion. Also in the stands was the star quarterback Pete Haeffner who now has grandchildren in the program

You can see more game action photos at www.Newsphoto.com