The halftime performance by the GC kickline. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com There were three minutes left in the Conference II football semifinals at Hofstra last Friday night and Garden City High’s defense faced its biggest play of the year. Carey, which already had become the first team to cross the Trojans’ goal line this season, had just scored its third touchdown to close to within two points at 21-19. The two-point conversion attempt was upcoming and virtually everyone among the rain-swept, wind-soaked survivors at Shuart Stadium was sure the ball was going to be placed into the hands of the Seahawks’ Greg D’Arienzo, who had scored all three TD’s and had rushed for 112 yards.

Perhaps because everyone was expecting another run by D’Arienzo, Carey coach Mike Stanley decided to call on his other back, Rob Zorn, who had enjoyed a good game with 56 yards on 13 carries. But Zorn isn’t D’Arienzo, a contender for the Thorp Award. The fake went to D’Arienzo and the handoff to Zorn who tried to skirt the left side. Garden City’s Jim Kenny wasn’t fooled. He grabbed Zorn’s legs and Billy Sweeney came in to finish him off. The Trojans kept the lead that would give them a 21-19 win and a trip to the Nassau Conference II Championship against Wantagh at Hofstra Friday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Stephen Jahelka, on his way to a four yard touchdown run, prepares to rush by Carey’s Jake Robison. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com The drama wasn’t quite over. With three minutes left on the clock, Garden City’s offense still had work to do. After a botched on-sides kick gave the Trojans the ball at the Carey 44, Steve Jahelka broke loose for a 33-yard gain to the 11. With a minute and a half remaining, quarterback Matt Montgomery produced a vital first down by running for seven yards to the Seahawks’ one yard line. Rather than score and pad the lead but in the process give Carey another possession, Coach Tom Flatley had Montgomery take three knees to run out the clock.

Brian Fischer stiff arms Carey’s Jon Andrade. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com From the start, this semifinal was a crowd-pleaser. Carey mounted an early drive which reached the GC one. On fourth down, D’Arienzo hit the middle of the line and fumbled. Brian Fischer recovered at the three, then on first down the 6’2”, 185 pound junior broke through the line and embarked on a 97-yard run that involved about five cuts that left defenders in his dust - assuming there was any dust on a wet, artificial turf. The run was the longest in Garden City High history, surpassing the mark of 92 set by Dan Oppedisano against Division on Oct. 21, 2001.

5As Ryan Norton (18) got the punt off, GC’s Chris Stapleford (33) upended Carey’s Matt Svoboda who was trying to block the punt. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Another Carey drive was halted at the 12 with a little help from the officials who nullified a D’Arienzo TD with a holding penalty. They returned the favor by dropping a flag during Andrew D’Antonio’s 44 yard run to the end zone, but the Trojans wouldn’t take no for an answer and completed the drive with a Jahelka four yard scoring run that extended the lead to 13-0.

The game seemed somewhat under control until Carey QB Kyle Zahradka launched a long pass to D’Arienzo who beat defenders to complete a 50 yard touchdown with five seconds left in the half. It was the first TD allowed by GC in 38 quarters dating back to last year’s semifinals.

Carey’s Greg D’Arienzo (27) is brought down by Mike Giannone (45). See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Trailing, 13-6, the Seahawks were energized and opened the second half with a long scoring drive which tied the score. Matt Montgomery then engineered the biggest drive of the season, an 85 yard, 8 play march. He got it going with a 47-yard run off right tackle that put the ball on the Seahawks’ 37. Five runs and a five yard penalty later, the Trojans faced a third and ten at the 25. Montgomery then put the ball in the air for just the second time all night, challenging the 40 mile per hour gusts with a high looping toss that was pulled in on what amounted to a jump ball by Kevin Dachille for the go-ahead touchdown.

L-R Scott Conetta and Mark Ellis celebrate the victory over Carey. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Flatley sent Topher DiBona out to try to put GC up by seven, but Carey was called for off-side. The veteran coach then decided to take a shot at two points and Steve Jahelka delivered as he ran off left tackle to the end zone.

Now comes another rematch. This time it is with Wantagh which beat Elmont, 27-14. The Warriors (8-2) fell to the Trojans, 34-0 a month ago, but like Carey, they are talented and are playing their best football now behind the strong arm of senior quarterback Kyle Ambury and the running of halfback Mike Scully. If the eight game semifinals last weekend proved anything, it is that first meetings meant little.

EXTRA POINTS: Fischer finished with 149 yards on 17 carries and now has 899 for the season,,.Montgomery had his best rushing game with 101 on 13 carries. He now has 12 TD passes... Dachille has seven catches and six touchdowns.... North Babylon will play East Islip for the Suffolk II Championship. The winner plays the Nassau Champ for the Long Island title on Friday, November 27 at Hofstra.

Billy Sweeney takes down Carey’s Rob Zorn. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com