Jon Constant stars in Shoreham-Wading River's win
Shoreham-Wading River wide receiver Jon Constant (33) takes a last look over his shoulder as he outruns the Locust Valley defense on a run up the midde during the first half of the Long Island Football Championship at Hofstra University on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Nifty. Explosive. Game-breaker. Those words were used by teammates and coaches to describe the play of Jon Constant in Shoreham-Wading River's 35-7 win over Locust Valley in the Long Island Class IV championship game Friday at Hofstra.
"I knew Jon was always a special player; the whole team knew," tight end Ethan Wiederkehr said. "He hadn't really showed it. We knew he'd come out one of these days. He came out on the big stage."
Constant ran for 90 yards, caught a touchdown pass, intercepted two second-quarter passes, broke up three passes, was credited with 61/2 tackles and led the Wildcats with 140 all-purpose yards against a Falcons defense that had allowed only 56 total points in 11 games entering Friday.
"It all starts with the blocking and front line," said Constant, a senior running back and defensive back. "And on defense, it also starts with the front line."
Constant ducked away from personal accolades, instead choosing to credit an offensive line with four players (Wiederkehr, Dalten Stalzer, Tyler Hughes and Ryan Letscher) who have started each of the team's 24 straight victories, the longest active streak on Long Island. But SWR coach Matt Millheiser was quick to praise the game's two-way star.
"Johnny is just a great athlete," he said. "We didn't know how to use him in the beginning of the year. As we went along, as the offense developed, we found different ways to get him the ball."
Constant spelled starting running back Chris Rosati, who scored four rushing touchdowns against Locust Valley. He swept, cut and powered his way to an average of 7.5 yards per carry.
Constant picked off Tyler Liantonio with 8:27 remaining, ending a drive that had reached the Wildcats' 34-yard line.
His next interception came about five minutes later on a throw by John Pedranghelu. Constant grabbed the pass at the Locust Valley 42 and returned it to the 20. Six plays later, Constant ran a slant and hauled in a 6-yard pass from Jason Curran in the end zone to put SWR ahead 28-0.
"[His growth] has been great," Millheiser said. "We didn't know exactly what we had with him, what kind of athlete he was, what kind of a game-breaker he was. When we finally put him in some roles he could shine, he found his role. He's been a very explosive player for us since."
From an unknown asset to a championship X-factor.
