Tyler Martini leads versatile offense in Wantagh's shutout of Division
Wantagh's Tyler Martini is brought down by four Division tacklers after a long gain during the first half of the game at Division on Saturday. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan/Joseph D. Sullivan
It was 3-0 Wantagh vs. 3-0 Division Saturday on the Blue Dragons’ Levittown turf. But as it turned out, only the records were equal.
Wantagh showed off its ability to be diverse on offense and dominant on defense in a 42-0 win.
So make it 4-for-4 for Wantagh after moving up to Nassau III from IV, where it went 6-2 and claimed the title last season.
"I think this team is a lot better," running back Tyler Martini said. "I mean, last year’s team was great, but we have a lot of returning kids, and we want another county championship."
Martini rushed for 127 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown in each half. So he’s up to 714 yards already. Mark Maniet carried for 65 yards and a TD on eight carries, and Sean Carlo ran for 25 yards on four carries.
But Wantagh displayed an air game, too. Joe Legovich was 6-for-7 passing for 93 yards and three scores, including one in each half to Thomas Conway.
"We’re not stupid," coach Keith Sachs said. "We don’t want to ride one person. Tyler’s phenomenal. We try to be complete, and today was a good step in that direction."
Legovich capped Wantagh’s first drive by throwing a 3-yard touchdown to Conway. Then Martini took a pitch to the left side and raced 69 yards to the end zone.
Maniet followed with a 3-yard scoring burst in the second quarter to make it 21-0.
"I didn’t really expect a one-sided game," Division coach Robert McNamara said. "I thought we would’ve been more competitive."
Blue Dragons quarterback Chris Stancarone, who threw for 74 yards but didn’t play after halftime due to an undisclosed injury, was intercepted in the end zone by Carlo on the ensuing drive.
In the final minute of the half, Wantagh got the ball back and stayed aggressive.
It was second-and-8 from Wantagh’s 36-yard line. Legovich went long for Carlo, who stopped the ball’s flight with one hand, juggled it, caught it and ran it to the 2 for a 62-yard gain. That set up Legovich’s 2-yard TD toss to Anthony Reale with four seconds left — 28-0.
"Crazy feeling," Carlo said of his catch. "It was a little behind me. I thought I’d just throw my hand out and hopefully get a tip or something, and it turned out to work out."
