Shoreham-Wading River stops Locust Valley's rushing attack
The Shoreham-Wading River defensive unit halts Locust Valley fullback Tom Talenti (22) for no gain during the first half of the Class IV Long Island Football Championship at Hofstra University on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
A Locust Valley run meant one thing for the Shoreham-Wading River defensive line. It was time to let loose and fly.
"We all fly to the football and when you fly to the football, it covers up for mistakes," Shoreham-Wading River defensive tackle James Puckey said.
An attack-minded run defense limited Locust Valley to 137 rushing yards in SWR's 35-7 Class IV Long Island Championship win Friday afternoon at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.
"We knew they were a run team and were going to come at us," Shoreham-Wading River defensive end Ethan Wiederkehr said.
Running back Tom Talenti, who had 1,084 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season, paced Locust Valley with 96 rushing yards, but 60 came on a recovered blocked punt during an 11-play, 72-yard drive. Less that one play, Talenti was held to 36 yards on 12 carries.
After Jack Quinn blocked the punt on fourth-and-11 on Locust Valley's 22-yard line in the middle of the third quarter, Talenti picked up the ball behind the line of scrimmage and rushed for 60 yards before getting tackled by Quinn to end one of the Falcons' only big plays of the day.
"I saw the ball on the ground in front of me, I picked it up and tried to make a play," Talenti said. "I'm bummed I got caught. We felt good after that, but they just kept playing hard."
Besides that breakout moment, the Falcons struggled to get through a line that stacked the box and brought consistent pressure. John Pedranghelu, who led Locust Valley in rushing this season with 1,265 yards and 16 touchdowns, had 42 yards on 18 carries.
"We couldn't really move that much, but I don't think we were breaking enough tackles, either," Talenti said. "It's not all on anybody. They played better."
The Wildcats forced two fumbles, including one that was recovered in front of their own goal line.
"We thought they were good, but when you see them in person, you realize how big they are, how fast they are, how explosive," Locust Valley coach Matt McFarland said.
