Locust Valley struggles to slow down Shoreham-Wading River's offense
Shoreham-Wading River quarterback Jason Curran skips along the sideline on a run to the left side during the first half of the Long Island Football Championship at Hofstra University on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Shoreham-Wading River accomplished something in less than 13 minutes against Locust Valley that no other team did in 48 minutes.
Score 21 points.
The Locust Valley defense only allowed 56 points (5.1 points per game) en route to an 11-0 record entering Friday's Long Island Class IV Championship at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium. But the Wildcats' dynamic running game proved to be the Falcons' kryptonite in a 35-7 Shoreham-Wading River victory.
"We knew they were going to be a good team," said Locust Valley coach Matt McFarland. "We didn't expect to come in and shut them out but I think it was different seeing them in person rather than on film how explosive, how fast, how big they actually were."
Shoreham-Wading River scored on its first two possessions -- both four-play drives -- capped off by Chris Rosati touchdown runs.
"We didn't recognize a couple of unbalanced [formations] on the first drive, which is something we practiced all week," McFarland said. "Sometimes with the pressure of the game, the atmosphere, you tend to forget things you practice."
Shoreham-Wading River's offensive line, consisting of five seniors in tackles Dean Stalzer and James Puckey, guards Dalten Stalzer and Ryan Letscher and center Tyler Hughes who average 6-2 and 235 pounds, created running lanes throughout the game. The Wildcats also feature junior tight end Ethan Wiederkehr, who has D-I offers and is listed at 6-5, 270.
The Wildcats led 28-0 at halftime. Rather than admitting defeat, the Locust Valley defense made its presence known, not allowing another score until 6:41 remaining in the game.
"They definitely did not roll over in the third quarter," McFarland said. "They came out storming, gave it 100 percent. It really could have been very easy to roll over but they came out and gave it their all and that's something to be really proud of."
Locust Valley finished with the most wins in school history and won its fourth Nassau County title and first since 1987.
"It's been outstanding," McFarland said. "Like I said to the kids, it's hard to understand now but they will realize in a couple of days, they are going to look back and realize what they actually did accomplish. Getting more wins than we ever had in Locust Valley, winning the county title ... there's a lot to be proud of."
