Carey win streak at 16

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To nobody’s surprise, Carey has picked up right where it left off from its 2013 Long Island championship season. After a 48-21 home victory over district rival Elmont on Oct. 2, the Seahawks are 4-0 in Nassau Conference II.

Junior Anthony Millan had four receptions for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both in the opening half, and senior Casey Kloepfer picked off a pass and rumbled 42 yards to cap off Carey’s scoring, as the Seahawks ran out to a 48-0 lead.  Senior Anthony Lucito led the defense with six tackles and a sack. Elmont fell to 1-3.  

Carey, which has won 16 straight games dating back to last year’s opener, is averaging 40 points per game. The Seahawks have been equally as impressive on the other side of the ball. The defense has not yielded a point in the opening half all season.  

Head coach Mike Stanley likes the mindset of his team. “The guys have been very mature, and haven’t let winning go to their heads,” Stanley said. “They’ve been humble and hungry. We’re getting contributions from so many different guys, so it lets us rest players that go both ways. It’s real important to have guys fresh and healthy, especially as we get later in the year.”

Elmont entered the contest smarting from a disappointing loss to Mepham. Carey took a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter when junior quarterback Michael Catanese (8 of 16, 226 yards, four touchdowns) hooked up with Millan for a 53-yard touchdown strike. 

Early in the second quarter, Catanese found Millan again, this time from 35 yards out, and the rout was on. A one-yard plunge by Brett Campos, and Catanese touchdown passes to Nick Spillane and Jake Safuto, gave the Seahawks a commanding 34-0 lead at the half. 

To its credit, Elmont never quit. The Spartans got into the end zone three times in the second half. Simon Kalu’s 57-yard pass to Aston Brown got Elmont on the scoreboard late in the third quarter. Tony White and Jean Norgaisse added touchdown runs in the final quarter. The Seahawks travel to Westbury on Friday night for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Elmont head coach Jay Hegi gave Carey its due. “After watching the tape, I think they’re better than they were last year,” Hegi said. “They’re loaded with talent, and are very well-coached. That said, we made a lot of mistakes. It’s one thing to get beat, but when you’re out of position and missing assignments, it’s frustrating. I’m confident that we’re going to bounce back.”

Elmont High will have a special presentation this Saturday when Marco Rivera’s number 72 will be retired at halftime of its 3 p.m. game with Herricks. Rivera, who earned All-Long Island honors at Elmont in 1990, went on to star at Penn State, and had a terrific professional career with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. In addition, there will also be a fundraiser after the game at the Swiss Tavern in Malverne.