Marino, Ris lead Carey over Long Beach
Carey's Steven Marino dives forward for the touchdown during the Nassau High School Conference II football game between Carey and Long Beach. (Nov. 5, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Carey's strategy was a gamble.
Starting at quarterback was sophomore Andrew Ris, a rookie with just two quarters of experience. And those were earned in the mud and freezing wind of Week 8.
Moved to a running back/receiver role was former quarterback Michael Locicero.
And then there was Steven Marino, a standout receiver who hadn't played a down since pulling his right hamstring while catching a touchdown during the first quarter of an Oct. 22 loss.
And yet Ris played like a veteran, Locicero was a game changer and Marino proved healthy and effective as No. 4 Carey beat No. 5 Long Beach, 26-12, in the first round of the Nassau II playoffs Saturday.
Carey (6-3) advances to the semifinals against No. 1 Garden City at Hofstra on Friday.
"I was going nuts before the game. I didn't know what to do," said Ris, who was 6-for-23 for 88 yards and a touchdown and ran for 43 yards on seven carries. "I was nervous making some throws, but I had a great team to back me up."
Carey beat Long Beach, 19-14, in Week 6, the Marines (5-4) rallying for two fourth quarter touchdowns to tighten the gap.
"We learned they're a tough team and they're going to bounce back," said Locicero, who had 84 yards on eight carries and caught a 23-yard pass. "We have to play our game for the full four quarters."
Hoping to avoid another close outcome Saturday, the Seahawks came out swinging.
Already holding a 6-0 lead, Carey scored again on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ris with 10:56 left in the second, Marino grabbing the ball at the one-yard line and diving forward to secure the score.
"It was a great emotional boost," said Marino, who hadn't practiced all week. He was a game-time decision Saturday, but ended up with 74 yards on three catches.
"It's amazing to see a kid come back from as bad a hamstring injury as that was in two weeks time," coach Mike Stanley said. "But, because it's Steven, it's not as surprising."
Rowley was intercepted twice in the first half to stall Long Beach drives. But with 40 seconds left in the half, he threw a 19-yard touchdown to John Delahanty to cut the deficit to 12-6.
After Rob Zorn ran in a three-yard score just 2:22 into the third quarter, Long Beach answered again. Rowley took the ball 75 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown 25 seconds later.
The score cut Carey's lead to 20-12, but the Seahawks halted hopes of a comeback.
For one thing, the defense finally shut down Rowley. Until he scored in the third, Rowley was 8-for-16 for 85 yards and a touchdown and ran for 127 yards and a score on eight carries. Afterward, Rowley was just 3-for-8 for 24 yards and gained 16 yards on six carries.
Also, this time, Carey dropped the hammer. With 4:17 left, Locicero ran down the left sideline for a 62-yard touchdown. Carey's defense held Long Beach to a 3-and-out on its final possession, and suddenly the Seahawks didn't have to worry about any late comebacks.
