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Overcast Mepham romps to fourth win
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Mepham's Kaalen Jackson gave Valley Stream Central fits last Saturday, rushing for 120 yards and three touchdowns in the Pirates' 47-7 Conference II victory.
Frank Koester/Herald
Three straight wins, a 4-2 mark in Conference II after six games and the playoffs set squarely in its sights. Not a bad run for a Mepham football program bouncing back like a superball after a 1-7 mark in 2008. Speaking of run, that's exactly what the Pirates did all over Valley Stream Central in a 47-7 home win last Saturday.
Senior running back Kaalen Jackson racked up 112 of the Pirates 289 total yards rushing, while senior Miguel Lozada added 93 on just five carries. Sophomore Kevin Tauriello had 36, and junior Trace Agostino chipped in with 31.
"It was a great team win," second-year coach Anthony Cracco said. "Everyone contributed and we did a great job up front on the offensive and defensive lines."
One week after opening tractor-trailer sized holes for Jackson, who ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-20 win over Great Neck South on Oct. 17, Mepham's offensive line was at it again. Powered by senior left tackle Tom Rappa, senior left guard Khaalid Jackson, Kaalen's twin brother, senior center Chris Battaglino, senior right guard Chris Rullo and senior right tackle Kurt Hudik, Mepham's rushing attack has been more than just a one man show. "When you block hard and have [players] running hard behind you it's tough to stop," Cracco said.
The strength of the ground game may have taken some of the passing elements out of the Pirates' spread offense, but quarterback Nick White is still making the most of his opportunities. The junior completed four of five pass attempts for 40 yards against Valley Stream Central, adding 12 more on the ground.
Under defensive coordinator Richard Biancaniello, the defense has taken big strides and allowed just 135 total yards against the Eagles, 90 while the first unit was on the field. Senior safety Matt Palmer, a member of the special teams unit, forced a first-quarter fumble on a kick return that Khaalid Jackson scooped up and returned 15 yards. Kaalen had previously scored one of his three rushing touchdowns with senior kicker Andrew Madden converting the extra point. "We're playing an aggressive style," Cracco said. "The kids are flying around making a lot of plays and doing a great job."
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