Ulip, East Rockaway run past Locust Valley

East Rockaway used a bruising inside running game and a punishing defense to dominate the clock and top-seeded Locust Valley, 30-13, Thursday night in a Nassau IV semifinal football game at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.

The No. 6 Rocks (6-4) are the only team to defeat the Falcons (8-2), having also won, 21-0, in the rain and snow two weeks ago. Conditions were perfect Thursday night and so, for much of the game, was East Rockaway, which did not pull away until late in the fourth quarter.

The Rocks -- who advanced to the final for the first time since 2001 -- increased their lead to 16-13 when a strong pass rush by Josh Warner forced Joe Jacobi to throw the ball away. The intentional grounding call in the end zone resulted in a safety. The ensuing punt set up East Rockaway at midfield and they proceeded to run the ball seven straight times, with Nick Ulip (26 carries, 110 yards, two touchdowns) taking it in from 10 yards out to make it 23-13 with 4:59 left.

Fittingly, another defensive stand set up the final TD. Mikey Lores nailed Nick West on a fourth-and-2 at the Locust Valley 36, a yard short of the first down. Five plays later, Luke Fahrenkrug scored on a 25-yard reverse around left end.

Anthony Tesoriero added 89 yards on 13 carries as East Rockaway held a 254-51 rushing edge. The Rocks didn't pass much, but Sean Bohan made the most of his five completions, hitting Fahrenkrug for TD passes of 10 and 28 yards, the latter a well-thrown pass on a fourth-and-14 post pattern. Fahrenkrug had five tackles and Thomas Dolan six to lead the defense.

East Rockaway dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 33:06 to Locust Valley's 14:54. The Rocks also ran 26 more plays. Jacobi was 8-for-17 for 147 yards and two touchdowns to Alex Rawa, who had five catches for 99 yards and made seven tackles.