Back-to-back wins for Long Beach

Long Beach’s return to Conference I football, after a decade competing in Conference II, is off to a promising start. After dropping a tight opener to No.5 Hempstead, the Marines have won back-to-back games and stand at 2-1 going into this Thursday’s matchup with Hicksville.

In the team’s 28-22 home victory over much-improved Herricks last Saturday, junior Tyre Fergerson broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes to play to put the Marines on top. Fergerson amassed 132 yards on the ground on just six carries. 

Herricks drove into Long Beach territory in the waning moments, but terrific defensive plays by senior cornerback Deon Ray helped preserve the win. Ray knocked down passes on consecutive plays with time winding down, and wreaked havoc when blitzing all game long. Senior placekicker Sam Oppenheim was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra point attempts. 

Long Beach head coach Scott Martin believes having to come from behind will be beneficial as the season goes along. “It was a real tough game with the heat and having had a short week of practice,” Martin said. “With only 25 guys on the roster, we’re going to tire. It was good for us to have to face adversity and persevere. This will make us a better team down the road.”

After senior Chris Stackhouse opened the scoring with 14-yard run early in the second quarter, Herricks scored twice to take a 14-7 lead. Fergerson’s second score of the day, a 65-yard scamper, and a fumble recovery in the end zone by Marquis Stephens Jr., put the Marines back on top.

But, Herricks wouldn’t go away. The Highlanders took the lead when quarterback Mike Lee found a wide open Enjie Zheng on a slant pattern for a 21-yard touchdown hookup. Lee’s two-point conversion gave Hericks a 22-21 lead, setting the stage for Fergerson’s heroics. The Highlanders fell to 1-2. 

The previous week, Long Beach was dominant in its 28-7 victory over visiting Syosset. Senior quarterback Ryan Sheehy was 17-of-29 passing for 310 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Marines. Stephens Jr. had a breakout game on the receiving end. The junior wide receiver caught a career-high eight passes for 181 yards and scored three times. Ray had four catches for 75 yards and scored the team’s first touchdown. 

Martin wasn’t surprised by the effort he received from Stephens Jr. “They were playing him one-on-one and giving him the short stuff,” Martin said. “He’s strong, has great hands, and can go up and get it. Having one guy playing Marquis straight up is a good matchup for us. His touchdown receptions were relatively easy catches for him.”

In addition to the solid performances it has been receiving from Ray, the Long Beach defense has been boosted by the play of Stackhouse, Stephens Jr., Ferguson, and junior Luca Salerno.

The Marines will kick off the second half of the schedule when they travel to Massapequa on Oct7 at 2 p.m.