Trojans Crush Long Beach Before Homecoming Crowd

By Jake White

The Homecoming King and Queen, Chris Gold and Sarah D'Antonio. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Remnants of a tropical storm rained on plans for the Homecoming Parade last Saturday, but some worried that the undefeated, unscored-upon Long Beach High football team would really put a damper on Garden City's day.

They need not have worried. It was the Trojans who reigned, scoring on their first seven possessions on the way to crushing the Marines, 40-12, before more than 1,000 damp fans at Warren King Field.

For an offense that had struggled in its first two games, a quick start was essential and sophomore halfback Stephen Jahelka provided it by dashing 42 yards off right tackle for a touchdown on Garden City's first play from scrimmage. Jahelka wound up with 129 yards on 12 carries as the Trojans ground game rolled up 273 of the team's 396 total yards.

"We got into a good rhythm today," said Assistant Coach Bob Defliese. "The offense felt comfortable."

Leading 7-0, quarterback Matt Montgomery found Denis Rice for a 38-yard touchdown completion with just seconds remaining in the first period. But before Garden City fans settled back in their seats, Long Beach's Kishawn Jefferson returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards to narrow the lead to 14-6.

Brian Fischer makes a move to avoid a tackle by Long Beach. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com That would be as close as the Marines would get. Matt Nesi scored on a nine-yard run, then tight end Will Fuller caught Montgomery's crossing pass and raced to a 20 yard touchdown. When Connor Dwyer booted a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the half, the Trojans led 30-12.

"We were not sure going in whether we could handle them up front," said Coach Tom Flatley. "But our line controlled the line of scrimmage and that's the key to winning." Perhaps, the best evidence of the Trojans' fine line play was that Long Beach running back Brian O'Toole, who had averaged 200 yards per game in two prior victories, was held to just eight rushing yards on nine carries.

Saturday, the Trojans (2-1) travel to Jericho for a first-ever meeting with the Jayhawks (1-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. due to standardized testing. For a young Garden City team with a bright future but with growing pains to overcome, the game could provide an opportunity for more progress and more playing time for the inexperienced players.

Billy Sweeney (78) stops Damon Whitfield of Long Beach. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com EXTRA POINTS: Sophomore Tom Gordon scored his first varsity touchdown on a 24-yard run and also had his first interception. He and fellow 10th grader Stephen Jahelka are GC's leading rushers....Matt Montgomery completed 7 of 9 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns His favorite target was Denis Rice who caught five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.....Connor Dwyer's two field goals tied the school record shared by eight others, including his brother Dillon.....Conference II seems to be splitting into the "haves" and the "have nots" with Carey (3-0), Hewlett (3-0), Calhoun (3-0), Garden City (2-1) and Elmont (1-2) likely to battle for first place. The top eight of 14 teams qualify for the playoffs....The J.V. won its 51st consecutive game, beating Long Beach, 28-6.

Matt Nesi pushes through the Long Beach defense and scores for GC. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com

The varsity cheerleaders, who entertained the crowd throughout the rain and mist, got together for a group shot. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Mike Giannone (36) and Kevin Dachille (81) take down Long Beach's Taequann Washington. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com The kickline performs at halftime. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Parade Grand Marshall Monika Baker (right), who is a beloved long time hall monitor at the High School, poses with HS Principal Nan Cuttitta. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com QB Matt Montgomery looks to pass. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Denis Rice (center) is congratulated by Matt Montgomery (12) and Dan Niebler after Rice scored for Garden City. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Brandon Passano blocks Long Beach's Samuel Rullo Ribeiro. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com GC's Tom Gordon is all over Damon Whitfield. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Long Beach's Brian O'Toole can't stop Garden City's Will Fuller from scoring for the Trojans. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Christian Klupka, Connor Horl (66) and Jared Mitchell (88) take down Brian O'Toole of Long Beach. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com GC's Brian Fischer (40) and Joe Tursi (15) take down Taequann Washington of Long Beach. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com