Sewanhaka runs past Hewlett

A relentless ground attack and one perfectly executed halfback-option pass helped Sewanhaka avenge last year’s Nassau Conference III first-round playoff loss at Hewlett with a 20-14 victory last Saturday afternoon.

The Indians (5-1) pounded out 438 yards on 63 carries as seniors Shireem Cobb, Brian Wint and Keenan Woods all cracked the century mark. Cobb had 168 yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts, Wint added 144 yards and a score on 17 attempts, and Woods carried 16 times for 103 yards.

“They did some things offensively they hadn’t done all year,” Hewlett coach Jay Iaquinta said. “They controlled the game, but we still had a chance to win at the end.”    

The Bulldogs (4-2) saw their final possession end inside the Sewanhaka 25-yard line with 4:17 remaining when officials ruled a pass incomplete to junior Mark Rizzo. The Indians ran for five first downs to kill the clock.

“It’s a big win,” Sewanhaka senior center Anthony Waite said. “Our preparation for this game was intense and our hard work paid off.”

Wint’s arm, not his legs, provided the final margin. With time ticking down in the first half, he took a pitch from quarterback Isaiah Pollack, stopped on a dime and heaved a pass downfield that Joshua Castro corralled inside the Hewlett 15 and raced into the end zone for a 55-yard score that gave the Indians a 20-7 lead with 16 seconds left. It was one of only four times they put the ball in the air.

“We wanted to keep the ball away from their offense,” Sewanhaka coach George Kasimatis said. “Our kids did a nice job.”

The Indians took advantage of their size up front with Waite, Kareem Are, Christopher Jean, Gregory Yaziciyan and William Pokorny. The offense marched 80 yards on 13 running plays and opened the scoring early in the second quarter on Cobb’s 2-yard touchdown plunge. It was 7-0 after Ryan Miller’s extra point, but the lead would last for less than 90 seconds.

Hewlett answered on the first of two touchdown passes by senior quarterback Alex Kahn. Senior Lenny Canales took a screen pass 74 yards for a score, and kicker Ross Kleinrock’s extra point tied it.

The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Indians possession at their own 40. Seven plays later, Wint scored from 38 yards out to regain the lead. The next time he touched the ball, the former JV signal-caller showed off his arm. “He’s got a big arm for a little guy,” Kasimatis said of the 5-6, 175-pound Wint.  

The Bulldogs scored the lone touchdown of the second half with 10:15 remaining after Kahn converted a key fourth-down pass to Canales to keep the drive alive. Kahn hit junior Sam Martorella for a 23-yard score on the next play and had the offense just outside the red zone when the last possession stalled.

Manhasset visits Sewanhaka next Saturday, while Hewlett hits the road to take on South Side. Both games are set for 1:30 p.m.