Locust Valley struggles to slow down Shoreham-Wading River's offense
Locust Valley runningback John Pendraghelu (1) loses the ball n a run around the right side as Shoreham-Wading River defensive back Will Loper (42) moves in for the tackle during the second half of the Long Island Football Championships 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 this season.
Score 21 points.
The Locust Valley defense had allowed only 56 points (5.1 points per game) entering Friday's Long Island Class IV championship game. But in this battle of unbeatens, Shoreham-Wading River's dynamic running game proved to be the Falcons' kryptonite in a 35-7 victory by the Wildcats.
"We knew they were going to be a good team," Locust Valley coach Matt McFarland said. "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 by touchdowns runs by Chris Rosati, who wound up with four rushing TDs.
"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 -- 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, but the Locust Valley defense didn't allow another score until 6:41 remained in the game.
"It really could have been very easy to roll over," McFarland said, "but they came out and gave it their all, and that's something to be really proud of."
Locust Valley (11-1) won its fourth Nassau title -- and first since 1987 -- and finished with the most wins in school history.
"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."
