Mepham wins fourth straight

Mepham hits a critical portion of its Nassau County Conference II football schedule riding the wave of a four-game winning streak after a 35-13 victory over Wantagh last Saturday. The offense continues to be powered by senior quarterback Tyler Davis, who ran for 253 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 70 more with a 14-yard scoring throw to senior Cormack Quigley. 

Davis powered his way into the end zone on touchdown runs of 2, 9, 41 and 5 running behind a veteran offensive line that included senior Gabe Ferreri at right tackle, sophomore Justin Hudik at right guard, senior Steve Johnson at center and seniors John Rooney and Anthony Santorelli on the left side of the line. “It’s been a good month,” coach Anthony Cracco said. “We’re getting better every week and the guys are giving us a great effort, so we’ve strung together a couple of good games.”

The Pirates’ defense blanked the Warriors in the first half and picked off quarterback Rob Tucker twice, with junior strong safety Greg Lupeheimer totaling a team-high nine tackles and an interception. “We play assignment football and we didn’t blow our assignments,” Cracco said of the win over Wantagh. “Some of the things Wantagh has done in the past against us we were able to keep them at bay with.”

Yianni Hilas ranks among Nassau’s top pass catchers with 40 receptions, and he’s also among the best cornerbacks as well. The senior has had just two passes directed his way over the last four games and picked them both off, including one last Saturday. “He’s always in position and great in coverage,” Cracco said. “And that’s not an easy thing because he’s also playing every snap at wide receiver.”