Wantagh shuts out Bethpage to reach Nassau III final

It took a quarter for Wantagh to really get revving, but then it went on a nonstop run right to the Nassau III final.

Everything worked.

Second-seeded Wantagh shut out No. 3 Bethpage in the regular season, and it happened again Saturday in the semifinals at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.

This time, the final tab came to 28-0. 

“Overall, I’m very happy,” Wantagh coach Keith Sachs said. “It took us a while to get our footing. … But I’m very proud of the second half. I think all the plays were working well, team tackling, very well prepared mentally and physically.”

This is now a 9-1 team. Sachs likes his players’ “work ethic, and the fact that they really care about each other.”

And they really have options on offense. 

Nick Cupelli ran 21 times for 100 yards and a touchdown and threw for another on a halfback option to TJ Carlo.QB Joe Legovich went 6-for-8 for 90 yards and a touchdown to Carlo. Jake Martini carried nine times for 73 yards.  

“It all starts up front with the line,” Martini said. “Everything comes together after that. … We have holes to run through every week.”

The defense was busy closing holes.

Bethpage faced a fourth-and-one from its 41 on the first play of the second quarter and went for it. 

Run, no gain.

Four plays later, Wantagh cashed in. Cupelli ran it left, broke a tackle and finished an 18-yard journey to the end zone. 

The Golden Eagles made it to the Wantagh 44 on the ensuing drive. It was fourth-and-4. They went for it again. Will McMullen rushed for 72 yards but only for 1 on this play.

Wantagh’s offense headed the other way. Anthony Reale capped the drive with a 15-yard scoring run.

The first drive of the third quarter ended in the end zone again. Legovich went long to Carlo for a 46-yard score.

Late in the quarter, Cupelli ran right on third-and-goal from the 5 and fired to Carlo for the final TD.

“I didn’t expect it to be for a touchdown, but I really enjoyed it,” Cupelli said of his throw. “It was a really good play call there.”

So the Golden Eagles finished 7-3.

“We were hoping to advance further, get to a county championship like we did last year,” coach Pete Zito said. “This is my first season as head coach. I’m proud of the team, proud of the staff, and happy with the direction we went.”

Wantagh will face No. 1 Plainedge for the title next Saturday at Hofstra. The Red Devils cruised past Wantagh, 35-7, in Week 7.

“They’re a great team,” Sachs said. “We know we’ll have to play great to win.”