Joe Tursi takes in a Matt Montgomery pass and scores GC’s first touchdown of the game as Mepham’s Nicholas White unsuccessfully defends. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Three weeks ago Garden City High’s football team celebrated a Homecoming victory over a talented Carey team by the surprising score of 28-0. Years ago that would have been the end of it. The teams would have had a year to regroup. But in the age of conference playoffs, the two squads are headed for a rematch at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium at 4 p.m. Friday, November 13. This time even more is at stake as the Trojans (9-0) and the Seahawks (7-2) battle in the Nassau Conference II semifinals.

To reach the Hofstra turf, both teams racked up convincing quarterfinal victories. Garden City recorded its eighth shutout in nine games by blanking Mepham, 31-0, before a chilled crowd at Warren King Field. It was a less than thrilling game, played at a less than efficient level and officiated by a crew which apparently thought that they were paid by the number of flags thrown. Meanwhile, Carey avenged a loss to MacArthur by pulling away in the second half to beat the Generals, 35-21.

Anton Dobrolezhin (bottom), Connor Cortese (24), Eugene Berkery (30), Jimmy Kenny (21) and Andrew D’Antonio combine to take down Mepham’s Anthony Musacchia. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com The Mepham Pirates (5-4) came into the game as heavy underdogs and did little to help their cause by commiting five turnovers - four interceptions and a fumble. Topher DiBona opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal with just under three minutes left in the first quarter. The Trojans then blew the game open by scoring two touchdowns in the next 2:22. Stephen Jahelka intercepted a screen pass at the Pirates’ 26 and quarterback Matt Montgomery immediately capitalized on the first play when he fired to the left corner of the end zone where Joe Tursi outjumped his defender for a touchdown.

Stephen Jahelka intercepts a Mepham pass. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Mepham’s bad dream continued when their QB fumbled the snap on their first play following the kickoff. Chris Stapleford recovered at the Pirates’ eight and three plays later Montgomery scored on an option play. The score mounted to a seemingly insurmountable 17-0 before the first quarter ended.

Brian Fischer, who rushed for 124 yards on 13 carries, put the Trojans ahead 24-0 on a 29-yard TD run late in the second period. Chris Stapleford , a senior who has averaged 7.2 yards per carry and played terrific defense, finally got his first varsity touchdown in the third quarter when he sprinted 29 yards to the end zone to close the scoring. That brought a smile to the face of his grandfather, Pete Haeffner, a former Trojan QB who is a member of the Garden City High School Sports Hall of Fame. Pete is serving as a volunteer assistant coach for his classmate, head coach Tom Flatley.

Andrew D’Antonio makes a move to evade Mepham’s Vin Moryc. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Carey’s win over MacArthur was a highlight film for halfback Greg D’Arienzo who rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He showed why he is so dangerous by adding a 74-yard TD catch from QB Kyle Zahradka, who had two scoring tosses. At Homecoming, the Trojans contained D’Arienzo and that would seem to be the key to beating Carey. Another way to do it would be to control the ball and the Trojans will look to their high-powered offense to give their solid defense a little help.

Brian Fischer takes to the air for additional yards. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com EXTRA POINTS :Steve Jahelka, Jared Mitchell, Joe Tursi and Patric Berkery intercepted passes, raising the team total to 14.....The teams combined for 15 penalties for 140 yards..... GC has qualified for the playoffs in 28 of the last 29 years and has 16 Conference Championships....The Trojans hold a 25-2 lead over Mepham since their first meeting in 1937....After the 4 p.m. GC-Carey semifinal, Wantagh (7-2) will face Elmont (7-2) at 7:30. The winners will play for the Nassau Conference II title on Friday, Nov. 20 at Hofstra at 7 p.m.....Here’s bad news for future GC opponents: the entire district is undefeated in football. That includes the varsity (9-0), JV ( 8-0), 8th grade (6-0) and 7th grade (6-0). The 8th graders beat Hicksville, 38-0, to finish with an unscored-upon season. Veteran coaches Ed Phillips and Rich Smith report that this a first in their 30 years. In fact, it is believed to be a first for any GC football team at any level. The 1952 and 1991 JV teams allowed only 6 points and this year’s varsity has outscored opponents 312-3 so far...MSG Varsity will show the Carey game on tape delay.

Connor Horl in action against Mepham. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Chris Stapleford emerges out of a pile of players and goes on for more yards. see this photo at www.Newsphoto.com