The atmosphere around Warren King Field last Saturday had all the characteristics of a playoff game. A crowd of nearly 2,500 largely filled the stands, with hundreds of fans standing behind the end zone. Two cable television crews were setting up their equipment and reporters were on hand to chronicle what shaped up as one of the best games of the season between two undefeated teams.

The drama, however, would last for less than a half as the Garden City Trojans scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and coasted to a 34-0 win over Wantagh. It was the fifth straight shutout for GC (5-0) which has outscored opponents 166-0.

Wantagh, which came into the game with high hopes after beating Carey and MacArthur in close games, had just two scoring opportunities. In the second quarter a 53-yard trick play which saw Warriors’ quarterback Kyle Ambury take a backward pass then complete a long toss to the Trojans’ 5- yard line was nullified by an illegal formation. Then in the final three minutes of the game, Ambury completed a 44-yard bomb again to the Trojans’ 5. After an incompletion, Stephen Jahelka tackled halfback Mike Scully for a five yard loss to the 10. Mark Ellis, who earlier had an interception, broke up a third down pass, then Jared Mitchell preserved the shutout streak with an interception in the left corner of the end zone. Ambury, a strong-armed senior, walked off with just 3 completions in 14 attempts for a net 38 yards and three interceptions. Wantagh wound up with just 70 total yards and two first downs, both in the second half as the Trojans held their opponents without a first half first down for the third week in a row.

In the days before the game, the coaching staff had stressed that winning the game was the goal and that scoreless streaks were secondary. The players listened and said all the right things but the elation on the sideline when Mitchell preserved the shutout told another story. “The shutout streak is something they want to keep going,” admitted head coach Tom Flatley, who knows more than a little about defense. His 1985 team allowed just 13 points in 10 games and his 2004 squad also began the season with five straight shutouts.

The big game proved to be a showcase for junior halfback Brian Fischer. With Wantagh taking away the inside, offensive coordinator Bob Defliese went to the option and Fischer ran wild with 89 yards on 13 carries, including touchdown runs of 6 and 7 yards. He also picked off a Wantagh pass and returned it 64 yards for the final TD in the third quarter. Quarterback Matt Montgomery executed the offense beautifully and scored twice. His first touchdown came on a one-yard plunge which culminated a 14 play, 67 yard opening drive. The Trojans racked up three more TD’s in the second quarter, including a 9-yard run by Montgomery after Ellis’s 43 yard interception return. That came with 1:27 left in the half and sent a clear message to Wantagh and its passionate fans.

The Trojans return to action this Saturday at Long Beach against the 2-3 Marines, who topped New Hyde Park, 24-7. Long Beach plays at its Middle School which is located on Lido Boulevard adjacent to the Lido Golf Course. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. due to testing.

EXTRA POINTS: The school record for consecutive shutouts is 7 set between 2003-04. The 2009 team just tied the one season mark of 5 set in 1935 and equaled in 2004.....The most shutouts recorded in a season by a GC team is 8, set in 1985....Other impressive numbers: GC has limited opponents to an average of 78 total yards per game and just 4 first downs. Opponents have completed just 13 of 54 passes for 123 yards. The Trojans have outrushed foes, 1,099 to 267......The JV beat Wantagh’s previously unbeaten JV by an identical 34-0 score. The JV meets Long Beach at home on Monday, Oct. 19 at 4:15.....The 8th grade football team opened with a 24-0 win over Berner (Massapequa) and the 7th graders beat Berner, 42-0.