Ellis' 112 yards, 2 TDs lead Garden City
Garden City High School running back #23 Mark Ellis rushes for a six-yard touchdown with 5:16 remaining in the first quarter. (Nov. 11, 2011) Credit: James Escher
Mark Ellis had 112 yards rushing and two total touchdowns to lead No. 1 Garden City's sustained forward march in a 27-0 win over No. 4 Carey in the Nassau II semifinals at Hofstra Friday. And not even five minutes after the game, the Trojans were again in the act of moving forward.
"Our feeling is to get past this," said Patric Berkery, who had 61 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. "We beat a good team, but we know a better team is coming next week."
Said Ellis: "We're one more step closer."
Garden City (10-0) takes that step against No. 2 Wantagh at 7 p.m. on Friday at Hofstra.
Normally methodical Garden City scored three of its four touchdowns on big plays.
Berkery, who missed significant time this season with back and leg injuries, scored on a 29-yard run with 6:29 to go in the second quarter to give Garden City a 14-0 lead.
"We have so many different weapons in our offense, it gives us a unique combination that allows for big plays to happen," Berkery said.
Just 2:26 later, Ellis picked off Andrew Ris' pass for a 43-yard touchdown, giving Garden City a 20-0 lead at the half.
"Speed's a huge factor, and sometimes you can just read the quarterback, watch his eyes," said Ellis, who added another interception in the fourth quarter. "I just picked it off, thank God. Great pressure moved him out of the pocket and the ball came my way."
But the Trojans weren't just good on the ground. Mike Comiskey found Ed Blatz for a 31-yard TD pass with 4:08 left in the third quarter for the final margin.
Rob Zorn managed 93 yards on 24 carries for Carey (6-4).
