Syosset's Michael Elardo sets Long Island single-season receiving record
Michael Elardo brings down a first-down reception under pressure from Syosset linebacker Michael Panvini in the Nassau I championship game at Hofstra on Thursday, Nov 20, 2014. Credit: Steven Ryan
Few things about 5-6 receiver Michael Elardo surprise his quarterback, William Hogan. Elardo can catch anything -- passes high and low, behind him and in front.
But when Elardo broke Long Island's single-season receiving record in No. 6 Syosset's 26-20 win over No. 1 Baldwin in the Nassau I final Thursday night at Hofstra, Hogan had no idea.
"No way," he said. "Today? Wow. How much is it?"
Elardo's 111 yards on eight catches gave him 1,343 yards for the season. Commack's Bryan Tornee had set the record with 1,269 yards in 2000.
"It's a great achievement with everything going on here," Elardo said. "My team believes in me. It's an amazing thing. I have a great connection with [Hogan]. We just clicked."
Although he did not get into the end zone, Elardo helped set up Syosset's first touchdown.
The Braves had just regained possession at midfield after Ian Berg's interception four minutes into the second quarter. Hogan saw that Elardo was open over the middle, but he threw it slightly low and behind his target. No matter. Elardo reached back, twisting his body and catching the pass at his back thigh with his fingertips. He proceeded to beat his defender and shake another to take the ball to the 16.
"It's a huge thing," Elardo said. "In big situations, big players make big plays, and that's what we did. My coach [Paul Rorke] always said that. Everyone believed in me, and I believed in every one of my fellow receivers."
Hogan hooked up with Berg one play later for a 16-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at 6 with 7:42 left before the half.
Elardo wasn't the only Syosset receiver with a memorable day. Alex Concannon caught a quick slant from Hogan and juked twice to complete a 14-yard touchdown pass that brought the Braves within 20-18. He had 44 yards on four catches.
Berg, whose 2-yard touchdown run with 3:19 left gave Syosset a 24-20 lead before Hogan passed for the two-point conversion, caught seven passes for 106 yards.
"Alex and Ian had a great day," Elardo said. "They did what they had to do. They executed and we won the game."
