Davis leads Mepham over Calhoun

Mepham’s homecoming football game against intra-district rival Calhoun last Saturday proved to be a platform for junior quarterback Tyler Davis to showcase his versatile skills as a passer and runner in the Pirates’ new up-tempo offense.

The 6-4, 200-pound Davis had an explosive first half with 125 yards on the ground including three touchdowns along with 110 yards through the air to help Mepham top its neighborhood rivals, 39-17, and improve to 1-1 on the young season. Calhoun, which fell behind by 33 at halftime, dropped to 0-2.

“Tyler is a unique player that continues to get better every day,” Mepham head coach Anthony Cracco said of Davis, who earned All-Conference honors last season. “He has the ability to take over games.”

Davis began Mepham’s first-half scoring barrage on a two-yard touchdown run with 7:47 left in the first quarter that was set up by an interception near the goal line from Danny Kapps. He then ran for back-to-back touchdown runs of 56 and 52 yards that made it 22-3 midway through the second quarter. His magical first half wasn’t finished as a 59-yard touchdown pass to Yianni Hilas late in the second quarter gave the Pirates a commanding 29-3 lead.

“We came out and executed the game plan well,” said Cracco, whose team opened with a 30-20 setback at Wantagh on Sept. 12. “It was a real good first half.”

Senior running back Chris Durkin capped off Mepham’s first half offensive barrage with 42-yard scoring run that gave the Pirates a 36-3 lead heading into the locker room. Durkin finished with 91 yards rushing on the day and on defense recorded nine tackles at linebacker.

Mepham’s large halftime lead allowed sophomore backup quarterback Mike Azzariti to take all the second-half snaps. “It’s great to get him out there and see the speed of the game,” said Cracco of Azzariti. “He’s a real hard worker.”

Davis gave much of the credit for success Saturday to the play of his blockers in the trenches. “My line was blocking hard for me every play,” he said.

Shining for Calhoun head coach Mike Buck was junior wide receiver Anthony Fitzsimmons, who hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Zack Mastrangelo in the third quarter that cut Mepham’s lead to 36-10.

Mepham and Calhoun along with Kennedy are the three high schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (CHSD) who all play in Nassau Conference II. Davis said it is always extra meaningful when the area teams match up since many of the players grew up playing together in youth leagues.

“It’s definitely very special,” said Davis of playing a team in his home district. “I played pee-wee with all these guys.”

“The kids embrace it and they love playing these games,” Cracco said. “There is a little bit something extra when it’s Calhoun or Kennedy.”

Mepham hosts defending county champion Garden City this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Calhoun travels to Westbury.