Syosset's Michael Elardo, left, is chased by Massapequa's Casey Kimmel...

Syosset's Michael Elardo, left, is chased by Massapequa's Casey Kimmel and Chris Wasson during a Nassau I quarterfinal at Syosset on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Credit: Richard T. Slattery

Even as an eighth grader, Mike Elardo was forcing coaches to modify the game plan.

Syosset football coach Paul Rorke saw Elardo make an over-the-shoulder catch on a go-route — something he’d see plenty of times on a varsity field just a few years later. But this was different. This was middle school.

“It’s hard to predict,” Rorke said, “but when you see a kid do something that athletic — I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen a middle school game but they don’t throw it that much. But when I saw him catch that ball that way, I knew he was going to be something.”

And by something, Rorke means a superstar. Elardo, a now two-time Jets Receiver Award winner as Nassau’s top wideout, led all seniors with 52 receptions and totaled 876 yards with six touchdowns. He finished his three varsity seasons with 154 receptions, 2,941 yards and 28 touchdowns.

The numbers are impressive enough. But learning what he had to deal with from opponents makes it even more spectacular. “This season, it was a little challenging getting double-teamed,” Elardo said, “but my coaches and everyone’s been telling me they’ve never seen a kid double or triple teamed in a game before.”

Elardo’s practice habits helped him separate in games. As a 10th grader, Syosset’s top corner covered him. He was double-teamed nearly every snap at practice this year by the scout team. And it’s what made him a two-time Jets Receiver Award winner.

“That’s just an outstanding achievement if I’m even in the running for both or could possibly win both years,” said Elardo, who said he “100 percent” wants to play college football. “That just shows the kind of player I am and how dedicated and hard working I am.”

 

Kessenich Award

Matt Mascia has pushed the limits of being a student-athlete in his last three years at East Meadow.

Mascia will graduate with 13 varsity letters, a 95 average and a Kessenich Award, given to a three-sport athlete with a high average and good morality. Mascia’s an All-Long Island lineman, All-County first baseman and All-Conference at the shot put.

The 6-3, 290-pound senior lineman will play college football. He’s getting offers from D-II schools, and D-IAA programs such as Maine and New Hampshire, which have met with him recently. His ability to manage school and sports certainly makes him more appealing to colleges.

“It definitely shows that I’ve worked it out where school and sports are definitely managed well,” Mascia said. “But coming into college, it’s going to take so much more effort to balance it.”

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