Lynbrook relishes first LIC title since '92

The banner of names grows larger, and the banner of championships adds another year.

Before every game this season, the Lynbrook parents hung a banner along their bleachers with the name of every Owl on the field - all 70 of them.

Each contributed to Lynbrook's Long Island Class III title - the school's first since winning the inaugural LIC in 1992 - and second-place finish for the Rutgers Cup, only nine points behind Freeport.

"Having as many kids as we have allows us to play a lot of different people at different stages during the year," Lynbrook coach Steve LoCicero said, adding that in six games, all 70 players saw action. "It gives kids opportunities to shine."

LoCicero favors a two-platoon system to get the majority of his troops playing time while also keeping them fresh. Mike Kozlakowski was the team's only true two-way player (fullback, defensive end), and he was a finalist for the Thorp Award.

Year in and year out, Lynbrook's students come out in droves to play football, a remarkable feat for a town that does not have a youth football program.

"By showing them that it's going to take more people than just these top 11 kids," LoCicero said, "that generates a team."

The Owls finished 11-1, their lone blemish a 23-22 loss to Lawrence in Week 7. They avenged that loss in the Nassau final, 39-14, and once the LIC came around, there was no doubt among the players that they were taking home the title. They beat Sayville, 42-27.

"The week leading up to the Long Island Championship, I was around the loosest, most confident kids I think I've ever been around," LoCicero said. "They're all coming up to me, from 1 to 70, saying 'Coach, we got this for you, don't worry.' "

Maybe that's because they had running back Travis Lock and quarterback Paul Magloire on their side. The 1,500-yard rushers were electrifying in the postseason. In four playoff games, Lock rushed for 831 yards and 11 TDs. Magloire added 10 TDs in the playoffs and a pair of two-point conversions in the LIC, including a highlight-reel launch over two defenders to give Lynbrook a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Kendall Bruton, who made his first start of the season at cornerback that night, returned an interception 43 yards to set up the go-ahead score.

Defensive ends Kozlakowski and Brandon Cheney each had a sack, as did tackle Dylan Bien. Luke Spitzer made plays at receiver and in the return game, linebacker Connor Daly had punishing hits and the big boys up front paved huge holes for Lock and Magloire.

It all added up to a memorable night that capped a season they'll remember for years to come. "It feels great to make history," Magloire said. "When we're old and gray, we're still going to be talking about this."

All 70 guys sitting around one giant table.