Oceanside drops homecoming game

The Massapequa Chiefs continue to give the Oceanside Sailors fits.
Just like most of their games in recent seasons, the Sailors hung with their Conference I foe for as long as they could before falling short in the end, this time by a 21-6 score that spoiled Oceanside’s Homecoming last Saturday in a battle of unbeaten teams.
Massapequa (4-0) scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters and Oceanside finally got on board in the fourth on Shane Harmon’s 57-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Bender. The sophomore completed 36 of 46 passes for 280 yards and helped the Sailors convert 10 of their 17 third-down tries, but the Chiefs shut down their running game by limiting Oceanside to 40 yards on the ground.
Oceanside (3-1) moved the ball into the red zone twice during the second quarter, but both drives stalled.
“We were real happy with how the players competed,” head coach Rob Blount said. “Our backs were against the wall early, faced some adversity and was able to sustain the first couple of blows and remain a couple of plays from swinging the tide of the game.”

Oceanside lost to Massapequa in last year’s quarterfinal playoff game — despite beating them that season — and fell to them in the previous two county finals.
“This was a good way to see where we are at,” Blount said. “We’re ahead of schedule right now (and) are thrilled with how the players have handled the first half. We’ve still got a ways to go.”
Harmon has had huge shoes to fill taking over for Charlie McKee, Nassau County’s all-time leader in passing yards. Harmon has already thrown for over 700 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“I’m happy with his progress,” Blount said. “There’s a lot on his 15-year-old shoulders, which many don’t understand. He’s been a great competitor and leader. We wouldn’t want anyone else leading our program.”
Tailback Isaiah Spivey missed Saturday’s game due to injury, but has shown signs of potential in his junior year. He rushed for 109 yards and a score in the Sailors’ season-opening win at Freeport and also found the end zone iat Plainview-Old Bethpage the following week.
“He’s done a great job for us thus far this season,” Blount said. “He makes the offense go.”
Six different players have rushed for touchdowns, with Luke Vilella, Charlie Levine and Justin Diez also getting a pair. Blount credited the offensive line of Dylan Kakareko, Brendan Doherty, Will Purrman, Andrew Guida and Blake Halpern for helping the Sailors scoring 109 points this season.
Bender’s touchdown catch was his second of the season. Jacob Stern hauled in the team’s other touchdown pass against Plainview.
The defense has yielded just 48 points in four games and has had their share of takeaways. Brian Kraemer had an interception on Saturday — in addition to Jack Regan and Michael Madden earlier this year -- and Chase Haffey had a fumble return touchdown against Hicksville.
The Sailors will look to bounce back Saturday at Uniondale at Cantiague Park at 3 p.m. The Knights are coming off a 23-0 win at Westbury.