Gendel's pick helps Wantagh to shutout
Mepham running back Shane Agostino looks for running room against Wantagh defender Peter Brasile during this Conference II football game. (Oct. 1, 2011) Credit: Jack McCoy
The jury was still out on Wantagh football.
The team lost by 18 points to powerhouse Garden City two weeks ago, managing only a field goal. Saturday was another tough test for the Warriors with Mepham in town, a team that came in undefeated, including a win over Carey, which was top-ranked in preseason. Wantagh's status as a top Nassau Conference II team was on trial.
But the verdict went Wantagh's way after a decisive 17-0 win over Mepham.
"There's no talk of a team's reputation," said Joe Giardina, who rushed for a touchdown. "You can't look at a team just by the scores. We just have to come out and do what we do best, and that's win football games."
For anyone who wants to question the Warriors now:
Wantagh held Mepham to a single first down, on a penalty.
Mepham had only 37 yards from scrimmage.
With the outcome still in doubt in the second half, Wantagh had a fumble recovery and two interceptions, one of which keyed its third touchdown.
"It was a short week to prepare , but we mentally prepared for this," Ryan Gendels said. "We knew what we had to do coming into the game. We had to come in and hit them hard."
Despite its strong defense, Wantagh (3-1) went into the half with only a 3-0 lead, on Andrew Martorella's 26-yard field goal with 6:35 left. The Warriors efficiently moved the ball behind Matt Balzano (19 carries, 80 yards) and Nick Mullen (7-for-11 passing for 89 yards), but Mepham (3-1) limited Wantagh's opportunities inside the 30-yard line.
"Our first couple games we didn't play well in the second half," Giardina said. "We set that as a goal, to improve every quarter. We just got to keep getting better and better. We came out fired up and wanted to show it."
On its first drive of the third quarter, Wantagh drove from its own 37, converting two third downs as it moved into Mepham territory. On second-and-4 from the 16, Giardina broke off a 15-yard run down the left side, getting pushed out of bounds just short of the goal line.
But Shaun Charkowick, who had only two carries, punched it in on the next play. Martorella's kick gave Wantagh a 10-0 lead.
After a Wantagh punt pinned Mepham at its 1-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, Gendels made an interception on third-and-1. Mepham standout Elias Lozada was down in pain after the play. Coach Anthony Cracco said Lozada apparently suffered an ankle injury, but that he expects him to play next week.
Two plays later, Giardina ran in a 5-yard touchdown with four minutes to go.
"We knew our defense was breaking them down physically," Gendels said. "By keeping them off the field, our offense kept pushing their defense back and back. We were just ready for them."
And now, with the win secured, the defense can rest.
