Trojans Rout Jericho, Host Hewlett Saturday By Jake White

Last Saturday for the first time ever, Garden City High's football team played Jericho. It was an odd match-up of one of the most successful scholastic programs in Nassau County against one of the least. The Jayhawks' 4-4 2007 record had earned them a seventh seed and a tougher schedule.

With a big Jericho Homecoming crowd on hand, the results were just as would be expected. The Trojans scored on their first five possessions to open up a 34-0 halftime lead before Coach Tom Flatley put on the brakes. Jericho never threatened despite playing two full quarters against Garden City's reserves.

If this were a fight, the referee would have stopped it. GC (3-1) rolled up 297 first half yards and had a 21-0 lead before the first period was over. For the second consecutive week the Trojans scored on their first play from scrimmage. This time Matt Nesi raced 42 yards - exactly matching Stephen Jahelka's feat against Long Beach. Quarterback Matt Montgomery put Garden City ahead 14-0 with a nine yard run on an option play, then completed a 75-yard touchdown toss to Will Fuller on what would be his only pass of the game. Before intermission, sophomores Brian Fischer and Stephen Jahelka added scoring runs.

Fischer was impressive again, especially when he broke several tackles during a 47-yard touchdown gallop. Jahelka, the team's leading rusher with 341 yards in four games, had a TD called back by a penalty, then came right back with a 13-yard score around right end. He registered 83 yards on 10 carries before taking a seat with the rest of the starters.

Coach Tom Flatley had several goals in mind in facing Jericho (1-3): win, give his non-starters plenty of playing time, and begin the preparation for this Saturday's big game against Hewlett at Warren King Field. For the most part, it was mission accomplished. The 34-0 score enabled everyone to play and Flatley didn't have to show Hewlett much of the offense with 38 running plays and just two passes.

In contrast with Jericho which was a first-time opponent, Garden City and Hewlett are perennial Conference II rivals. Coach Jay Iaquinta always produces a competitive squad. The Bulldogs defeated New Hyde Park to improve to 4 and 0. The teams have met 34 times since 1935 with Garden City holding a 23-7-4 lead in the series. Kickoff for the home game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

EXTRA POINTS: The win was Coach Flatley's 198th....Jericho's coaching staff of Joe DelGais, Ken Kreuscher and Rick Voight has over 100 years combined experience. "See if that's a record," said Voight, the former Hempstead coach....Matt Nesi had punts of 40 and 45 yards, then booted a 36-yarder that was downed at the one....GC's 34 games with Hewlett is second only to the 36 games played with Manhasset between 1935 and 1972.....The 75-yard touchdown pass from Matt Montgomery to Will Fuller was the longest for Garden City since Nov.3, 1990 when Mike Gluck connected with Brian Hay for a 79-yard score against East Meadow