East Rockaway/West Hempstead's offense coming up Rose

Tristen Rose has emerged as the centerpiece of East Rockaway/West Hempstead’s offense.

The junior running back delivered his biggest performance yet against previously unbeaten North Shore last week. Rose rushed 20 times for 327 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-26 victory, helping the newly merged program improve to 2-3 after an 0-2 start.

Rose opened the game with an 85-yard touchdown run, displaying his speed before running over a defender for another score.

“He’s a little bit of everything,” East Rockaway coach Russell Pajer said. “He has to be a little physical to get through the hole, and then he turns on the speed.”

Rose rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore. Now, he has become the team’s primary running back, with 800 yards and nine touchdowns through five games this season.

“He goes to all the workouts, he lifts, he runs, he watches what he eats,” Pajer said. “He does all the right things off the field.”

The success has come despite significant adversity for East Rockaway/West Hempstead, which has dealt with seven serious injuries, according to Pajer.

But the challenges of injuries and combining two programs haven’t prevented the players from developing chemistry and finding their rhythm.

“They really bonded together, and they believe in each other,” Pajer said. “They enjoy playing together and practicing together, and it’s showing on the field.”

East Rockaway/West Hempstead now turns its attention to hosting Lynbrook on Friday.

“Big rivalry,” Pajer said. “They all grew up together. Friday night lights, you can’t beat that.”

It will be the first meeting since 2005, when East Rockaway defeated Lynbrook, 41-6. Before that, the teams last met in 1987.