Receiver Jared Wolfe does his best to keep MacArthur in the game
MacArthur wide receiver Jared Wolfe (15) dives for more yardage along the sidelines after the tackle by Newfield safety Denzel Williams (12) during the first half of the Long Island Football Championships at Hofstra University on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
His onside kick recovery was a momentum-swinger. His 38-yard touchdown reception brought MacArthur to within a point in the third quarter, and his 11-yard touchdown catch in the fourth gave the Generals a chance with a minute to play.
This is wide receiver Jared Wolfe, the living embodiment of MacArthur's never-quit attitude. He was thrust into the spotlight as the Generals' comeback attempt fell short in a 41-33 loss to Newfield in the Long Island Class II championship game at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium on Friday.
"Jared's a better kid than he is a football player," coach Bobby Fehrenbach said, "and that's saying a lot, because he's a great football player."
With MacArthur trailing 27-7, Fehrenbach called for an onside kick to begin the second half. "They had returned the ball well anyway," Wolfe said, "so we figured why not take a shot? And our kicker did a great job. Justin Norcini had a great kick there."
Norcini's kick bounced over the heads of the Newfield players and straight into Wolfe's arms. Possession MacArthur. Momentum shifted. "We put a lot of time into plays like that and into special teams everyday in practice," Wolfe said.
After Vin Martino ran for two TDs to bring MacArthur to within 27-20, Wolfe's 38-yard TD catch from Jimmy Kelleher made it a one-point game.
Wolfe's 11-yard TD reception brought the Generals to within 41-33 with 1:02 left.
"He's a kid that never quits," Fehrenbach said. "He works from the first play to the last. Doesn't take a play off."
"Not for one second did we think it was over," Wolfe said.
Wolfe, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior, finished with 10 catches for 140 yards and three kick returns for 63 yards.
"The end result could have been better, obviously," Wolfe said. "But I think our community, our town, they're proud of what we accomplished this year. We gave it everything."
