Flying high!

There’s a new champion in Nassau Conference III.

Travis Lock led a punishing ground attack and Mike Kozlakowski and Luke Spitzer a stifling second-half defensive effort as Lynbrook beat defending champion Lawrence, 39-14, before a crowd of 3,500 last Friday night at Hofstra.

It’s the first county title since 1992 for the Owls (10-1), who avenged their only loss of the season, 23-22, in Week 7, and also a 41-7 defeat to the Golden Tornadoes in last year’s final. Lynbrook meets Sayville in the Long Island Class III championship game this Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Hofstra.

“Revenge is sweet,” said offensive lineman Mike Calderon, who helped clear paths for Lock (269 yards, three touchdowns) and quarterback Paul Magliore (88 yards, three touchdowns). “We all worked really hard for this.”

The Owls amassed 441 yards — all rushing — and took the lead for good at 20-14 on Magliore’s 1-yard touchdown run eight seconds before halftime. Lawrence (8-3) scored all of its points in the second quarter. Ryan Fredericks had a 1-yard touchdown run and Seiddrik Ervin a 26-yard touchdown catch.

“It feels great,” Lynbrook head coach Steve LoCicero said. “I’m so proud of these guys. Lawrence has a tremendous tradition and we knew we had to play a great game to win.”

Lock was dynamic once again, averaging 9.5 yards per carry against a Golden Tornadoes defense that improved considerably during the second half of the year and allowed only 21 points in two playoff wins.

“We didn’t tackle well and they wore us down,” Lawrence head coach Joe Martillotti said. “This wasn’t how we played the last six weeks. It’s a learning experience for our young guys.”

The Golden Tornadoes let a golden scoring opportunity get away on the opening possession of the second half. Fredericks caught a 42-yard pass to the Lynbrook 8, but they managed only one yard on the next set of downs. The Owls took over and marched 93 yards six plays and took a 26-14 lead on a 15-yard touchdown run by Lock.  

“I thought we ran the ball well when we lost to them the first time,” LoCicero said. “Tonight we ran it exceptionally well and our defense was just tremendous.”   

Kozlakowski, who chipped in 79 yards rushing, Spitzer and Brandon Cheney led a defense that had four takeaways and four sacks. Kozlakowski had three sacks and four tackles for loss, Spitzer a pair of interceptions and Cheney 10 tackles and one sack.

Cheney said losing to Lawrence during the regular season did Lynbrook some good. “Everyone remembers what it was like walking off the field that day after we lost,” he said. “We didn’t want to have that feeling again tonight.”

Spitzer’s second interception came early in the fourth quarter and gave the Owls possession at the Lawrence 34. Lock busted a run for 26 yards to set up first-and-goal, and Magliore barreled into the end zone two plays later. After Angelo Messina’s successful extra point, the margin was 33-14 with 10:47 remaining and Lynbrook’s fans started to celebrate.

“This is a special thing for the entire community,” LoCicero said. “We get as much support as any team in the county.”