Frenger's poise helps Plainedge beat Bethpage
Plainedge's freshmen QB, #2 Nick Frenger, looks for an open receiver in the Nassau High School Conference III Football Quarterfinal Playoff game at Bethpage. Plainedge beat Bethpage 17-6. (Nov. 6, 2010) Credit: Kevin P Coughlin
It's not common for a varsity football team to employ a freshman quarterback as the starter. Plainedge had no doubt that Nick Frenger could get the job done.
Several members of the team pointed to Frenger's calm demeanor as a reason for his success and it was apparent Saturday. After Bethpage cut the Plainedge lead to four, the Red Devils faced a fourth-and-10 at the Bethpage 29. Frenger fired a pass just past the fingertips of a Bethpage defender and into the hands of Tyler Manez for a 12-yard gain.
Ralph Caccavale then scored on a 6-yard run with 2:01 left in the third quarter to cap the scoring and give No. 6 Plainedge a 17-6 win over No. 3 Bethpage in a Nassau Conference III quarterfinal. Plainedge (5-3) plays No. 2 Lawrence at 4 p.m. Friday at Hofstra in the semifinals.
"I just had to hit the open guy," Frenger said of the fourth-down conversion. "It was so important to score on that drive. If we didn't put that in, it could have been a much closer game."
Plainedge led 10-0 at the half and went three-and-out to open the second half. Bethpage (6-3) scored in six plays. Paul Bitetti rushed for 38 yards on the drive and finished it with a 4-yard TD to bring Bethpage within 10-6 with 7:32 left in the quarter. Plainedge took over and converted three third downs on the scoring drive.
"After a big drive like that, they had the momentum," Caccavale said. "We had to come right back and punch it in. The offensive line got a big push and we got the job done."
The Plainedge defense was responsible for the early lead. On the fourth play of the game, Henry Velasquez recovered a fumble at the Bethpage 24. On fourth-and-8, Frenger connected with Kevin Dick for a 23-yard TD to give Plainedge a 7-0 lead. The defense held Bethpage to a three-and-out and Plainedge scored on the ensuing drive when Brendan Swayne made a 22-yard field goal with 3:42 left in the first quarter. The Red Devils forced another turnover when Bethpage took over as David Ng recovered a fumble.
"We made plays on defense," Ng said. "We made some adjustments and it worked out. We gave our offense a big chance early. It's really easy to score when you start on the 30-yard line."
Two weeks ago, Bethpage ruined Plainedge's homecoming with a 27-20 win. "We knew they were real good at changing plays at the line, so we needed to align right each time," Plainedge coach Rob Shaver said. "Last time we were out of alignment a bit and they took advantage."
As did Frenger in this game. "He's getting better every day," Shaver said. "He's not really a freshman anymore. He's really got a cool way about him."
