Lynbrook comes up just short

Lynbrook Varsity CHeerleaders got some height during the game.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Al barbarino, brother of the late Superintendent, Dr. Santo Barbarino, and other members of the Barbarino family participated in the parade.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

The Class of 2014 was led by Chris Bilello, 16.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Ashley Stimac, 3, with the Lynbrook Owl during the game.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Homecoming King and Queen Charlie Cursio and Allison Licciardi.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Lynbrook quarterback Eduardo Martinez fended off a swarm of Glen Cove defenders late in last Saturday's Conference III game.

Bill Kelly/Herald

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

It was almost the Miracle at Marion Street.

Trailing Glen Cove 20-12 in the waning minutes of their homecoming game, played at the Marion Street School last Saturday, the Owls needed a break, a lucky bounce, a game changer. They needed a turnover. That’s just what they got, but even that wasn’t quite enough.

With just over three minutes on the clock, and Big Red nursing its lead, the Lynbrook defense stuffed a run at the line and out popped the ball. After a mad scramble, Mike Cantanno recovered on the visitors’ 48 and the Owls had one last chance. They’d opened the game with a picture-perfect drive that culminated in Eduardo Martinez’s 15-yard scoring pass to Joe Grossi, but then they’d been held in check for three quarters as Glen Cove surged ahead. Jon Lollar’s 25-yard punt return for a touchdown after a bad snap had closed the gap to 14-12, but the Owls’ two-point attempt failed. Midway through the final quarter, Anthony Famigletti’s sprawling touchdown grab made it 20-12 for the Big Red. The missed extra-point attempt meant that it was still a one-score game.

Now the Owls had the ball, 48 yards away with three minutes to play. A quick pass to Nick LoCicero along the right sideline was good for a first down. Then, after a couple of running plays netted minimal yardage, Martinez found LoCicero along the same sideline. This time, LoCicero broke a tackle, spun and raced towards the end zone. 

Before game time, the Village of Lynbrook looked like the scene of an SEC football game, or at least a Chicago Cubs game. Fans of all ages flooded the streets, wearing their team’s colors. There were lawn parties and barbecues along Waverly Place. Parking was impossible. Now, as LoCicero broke free, those fans rose as one. Even the kids playing football beyond the end zones stopped to watch the action.