Dylan Fella returns and rushes for 150 yards and three touchdowns as Plainedge rolls
Dylan Fella of Plainedge crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the second half against Locust Valley. on Oct. 17, 2025. Credit: Kelvin Loarca
Plainedge is rolling, and now Dylan Fella is back.
Youth football players chanted Fella’s name from the stands. He missed the first four weeks of the season, but now in his third game back from injury, Fella was a machine for the Red Devils.
Fella had 17 carries for 150 yards and three touchdowns to lead host Plainedge past Locust Valley, 35-0, in Nassau IV on Friday night.
“I remember being in the stands like them, watching the team, saying I want to be like them one day,” Fella said. “It’s amazing to hear them chanting my name and supporting the team.
“This team is in full force heading into the rest of the season. Our offensive line can open up a hole for anyone, and I’m excited.”
In front of a packed Homecoming crowd, Plainedge scored first. Jaxson Torres found PJ Bruno for a 15-yard touchdown with 7:26 left in the first quarter to go up 7-0.
Plainedge took a 14-0 lead into halftime, and the night only got better for Bruno.
Once the second quarter ended, a new accolade was added for Bruno — Homecoming King.
“It was surreal, just amazing,” Bruno said. “This team is going great places and scoring that touchdown to start the game was a great moment.”
In the second half, the Red Devils flipped the switch.
They turned to the ground game and took over in the third quarter. Their opening drive featured six straight runs from Dimitris Vardamaskos and Fella. It was capped by a direct snap to Fella, who ran right and followed lead-blocking quarterback Torres into the end zone.
On the next drive, Vardamaskos burst into the backfield for a sack. Plainedge got the ball back, and Fella ripped off a 20-yard run behind a pancake block from Torres.
Vardamaskos finished the drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown to make it 28-0 with 3:29 left in the third quarter.
“We dialed in,” Vardamaskos said. “We ran the ball right down their throats, and in the second half the push was amazing. I gotta give credit to the offensive line.”
After another defensive stop, Fella sprinted up the middle and shed a tackler for a 23-yard score — his third touchdown — to make it 35-0 with 1:27 left in the third.
“We had a good game plan. We kept it simple, and the run game was really important,” Plainedge coach Rob Shaver said. “I’m proud of my defensive coordinator, Adam Hovorka. That sack by Dimitri was something he drew up in the locker room, and our guys executed well.”
Locust Valley (2-4) hung in with the powerhouse, playing a close first half before allowing 21 third-quarter points.
“Our kids didn’t back down,” Falcons coach Michael Gilbert said. “We aren’t afraid of anybody. Going forward, we’ll try to build off what we did in the first half and if we do that, I think we can play with anyone in our conference.”
Plainedge (6-0) remained unbeaten.
“Thankfully in our program, we’ve been successful,” Shaver said. “We don’t get too high or too low. We know we’re in the playoffs, and that’s what we’re getting ready for.”
