Lawrence looking for a little payback vs. Bethpage
Lawrence quarterback Joe Capobianco throws a short pass during a game against Sayville. (Nov. 27, 2011) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Lawrence is scoring points at a head-turning pace. With 116 in their first two wins, the Golden Tornado is on track to ring up more than 500 points this season and possibly challenge the Long Island mark of 544 by East Meadow last year, when Lawrence was No. 2 with 530. But it's so much more than records for Lawrence, which is looking for its first Long Island Championship since 2006.
The Golden Tornado would like nothing more than to exact revenge on Bethpage after the Golden Eagles came to their home field and dropped an 18-point defeat on the highflying boys of Inwood early last year.
"They definitely came in and took it away from us," Lawrence quarterback Joe Capobianco said. "And it motivated us for the rest of the season. We were a better team after that loss."
The Golden Tornado will travel to Bethpage Friday night for a pivotal Nassau III game in the MSG Varsity Friday Night Football game of the week at 7 p.m. The game will air live on Cablevision Channel 14.
"Oh, they put it on us last year and we haven't forgotten," Lawrence coach Joe Martilotti said. "This is a big game for us for a lot of reasons. We didn't get the chance to play them again and the boys feel they have something to prove."
Bethpage ground out a stunning 37-19 win over Lawrence in Week 2 of the 2011 regular season and went on to win nine straight games before being eliminated by Plainedge in the semifinals of the conference playoffs. Lawrence won eight in a row after the loss, including a conference title win over Plainedge.
"We're fired up to play at Bethpage," Lawrence senior halfback Tyler Fredericks said. "There is unfinished business with them."
Connetquot at Longwood, Friday, 6 p.m.: In a battle of unbeatens, Thunderbirds QB Brian McKean looks to light it up with a trio of outstanding receivers in Ryan Renfroe, James Higgins and Tyler Nason. Longwood needs pressure from lineman Jonathan Taylor and a big game from defensive back Jordan Wesley to stop the spread offense.
Plainview JFK at Oceanside, Saturday, 6 p.m.: Tom Capone threw for three touchdowns last week and has the Sailors' offense clicking. At PJFK, quarterback Alec Abramowitz has spun his magic for two games but this one will be significantly tougher to win.
Riverhead at North Babylon, Saturday, 2 p.m.: Melijah Purvis scored three times last week as North Babylon sets its sights on a return to the Suffolk II final. Riverhead was upset last week by West Islip on a last-second field goal. Quarterback Ryan Bitzer will spread the Bulldogs' defense with wide receivers Quinn Funn and Jeff Pittman.
Stony Brook at Mount Sinai, Saturday 2 p.m.: Two shutout wins has Mt. Sinai feeling good about a playoff run. The Mustangs have plenty of playmakers. Stony Brook, the 10th seed, is also off a 2-0 start behind the running of star halfback Don Liotine, who has amassed 516 total yards.
Chaminade at Iona Prep, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: The undefeated Flyers have a stifling defense that's allowed 14 points in two games in the CHSFL. Iona Prep (2-0) is coming off a 30-28 win over top-seeded St. Anthony's, the defending league champion. The Flyers can make a huge statement with a win in this one.
