The Garden City Trojans 2009 Long Island Conference ll Champions. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com The 2009 Garden City Trojans had Long Island’s best defense, a powerful running game, an under-rated pass attack and brilliant coaching. Yet, when the clock ticked down to zero at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium last Friday night with the scoreboard reading, “Garden City 9, North Babylon 6”, most of the 6,000 fans were focusing their attention on a sophomore placekicker who had never attempted a varsity extra point or field goal.

Ryan Norton had been brought up from the J.V. after five games. A fine athlete who had been a two-way starting back, his role with the varsity had been to take over the kickoff and punting duties. He hadn’t been used as a placekicker because Topher DiBona converted 87% of his extra points (41 for 47) and had kicked two field goals.

L-R Captians Conor Horl, Mike Giannone, Joe Gentile, Matt Montgomery and Billy Sweeney after they accepted the Long Island Championship trophy. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com But with the score tied at 6-6 with 6:50 remaining in the game and the Trojans facing a fourth-and-seven at the North Babylon 21, Coach Tom Flatley called on Norton to attempt a 38-yard field goal. The rookie didn’t disappoint. He drilled a strong kick right down the middle that would have been good for at least 10 more yards. The three point lead was all the fired-up Trojans needed as their defense never permitted another threat. The victory enabled Garden City to finish undefeated at 12-0 and win their fourth Long Island Championship.

After kicking the game winning 38 yard field goal, Ryan Norton (18) celebrates with Mark Ellis. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com Why Ryan Norton? “He looked very good before the game and the distance was right about at Topher’s outside range. Plus, he’s a little nicked up from soccer,” said coach Flatley. Assistant coach Dave Ettinger, who is Hofstra’s all-time field goal leader with 62 lifetime, works with Ryan and told Flatley, “Let’s give him a shot.” Ettinger gave Norton a little advice about direction and wind and then it was up to the soph.

Asked what he was thinking, Norton said “I didn’t want to think about it. I lined up three steps back and two to the left. I aimed at the right post. I thought it was right in there. This feels amazing.”

Mike Giannone put the pressure, and the tackle, on North Babylon QB Brian Kennedy, which led to an interception by Stephen Jahelka. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com For a low scoring game, this one had some remarkable moments. The most shocking of all set up Norton’s game winning field goal. The Trojans faced a third-and-eight from their own eight yard line. Coach Flatley, as he had done many times during the season, called for a quick kick. Halfback Brian Fischer, with the strong wind at his back, boomed his punt more than 40 yards in the air, then got a favorable bounce all the way to the North Babylon 24 for a total of 68 yards. Flatley was looking for field position but he got a lot more when the Bulldogs’ senior safety Ian Perez, who had played well and intercepted two passes, inexplicably touched the ball as if to down it. That, of course, made it a free ball and big Billy Allen, who along with several other Trojans, had hustled down the field, fell on the ball to give Garden City possession. Four plays later came the winning field goal.

Scott Conetta shows that the Trojans are No. 1 as he is lifted in the air by John Bock. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com The game matched two of the highest ranked teams in the state. Garden City came in as the number three Class A team and the larger North Babylon was ranked fourth in the AA rankings. Both were very strong defensively and both were known for their fine offensive lines. However, when it came to size, the Bulldogs had a huge advantage up front with a unit that averaged about 275 pounds, led by 365 pound junior Golden Okonu. “They were tough and physical,” said Trojan co-captain Conor Horl, an outstanding tackle who weighs about 230. “I have all the respect in the world for them. I knew I had to play the game of my life and I think I did.”

Joe Tursi (15) and Connor Cortese (24) combine to take down North Babylon’s Preshod McCoy. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com GC took a 6-0 lead on its first possession when Horl recovered a fumble at the North Babylon 44. Seven plays later, quarterback Matt Montgomery hit Kevin Dachille in the back of the end zone. It was Montgomery’s 13th TD pass and Dachille’s 7th TD catch on just eight receptions.

On his second possession, Montgomery should have had another. After completing passes to Joe Tursi and Scott McElroy that put the ball at the NB 11, Monty’s pass to the normally sure-handed Tursi slipped through his fingers at the one and was intercepted in the end zone.

Coach Haeffner celebrates as the final seconds tick away. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com The Trojan defense continued to bottle up the running game of the Bulldogs who had overpowered most of their Suffolk foes. Asked if this surprised him, North Babylon coach Terry Manning said, “Garden City didn’t get to be 11-0 with smoke and mirrors.”

The lead held until 6:53 remained in the third quarter when the Bulldogs’ Preshod McCoy, who led all rushers with 115 yards on 22 carries, culminated a 57-yard, six play drive with a 32- yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed and the score was tied. North Babylon (11-1) nearly went ahead on their next possession but the Trojan defense stopped a drive at their five yard line.

Coach Flatley, in his normal reserved style, praised the effort of his players who worked hard in the weight room and on the field. He wouldn’t say this was his biggest win because, after all, he has won 214 games including three prior Long Island Championships (1993, 2000, 2003). But he did say, “It’s always a big win when you beat a good team. It doesn’t have to be a Long Iskland Championship. And North Babylon was a very good team.”

Head coach Tom Flatley receives the Long Island Championship trophy from Section 8 coordinator Pat Pizzarelli. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com EXTRA POINTS: Garden City and Seaford, which earlier won the Class IV Championship, became the first Nassau teams to win 12 games in a season...Brian Fischer gained 76 yards on 17 carries to finish his brilliant junior season with 1,083 yards rushing on 130 carries... Steve Jahelka was highly praised by North Babylon. One coach called him “by far the best linebacker we’ve faced all year.”... The Trojans outscored opponents 356-28, yielding just 2.3 points per game, second best in school history... Amazing stat: Kevin Dachille has 7 touchdowns on 8 catches. His brother Steve, during 2004 and 2005, had 8 catches for -you guessed it- 7 touchdowns!

After Brian Fischer’s quick kick, and an inadvertent touch by a North Babylon player, Billy Allen (52) celebrates after he pounced on the loose ball, giving the Trojans possession that led to the game winning field goal. Matt Montgomery (12), Billy Sweeney (77) and John Bock (73) also celebrate. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Conor Horl recovers a fumble which led to a GC touchdown on the next possession. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Jimmy Kenny with the tackle on North Babylon’s Ryan Crawley. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Coach Defliese (right) jokes around with Joe Gentile after the game. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Brian Fischer breaks through the NB defense and gains additional yards for GC. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Stephen Jahelka runs up the middle for additional yards. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com
Kevin Dachille makes the catch and scores a TD for the Trojans. See this photo at www.Newsphoto.com