Defense leads Elmont over VSC

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Entering their Week 6 matchup, both Valley Stream Central and Elmont were well aware that the result of their game would have significant playoff implications.

The host Eagles (3-2) were riding high after a 33-17 victory over New Hyde Park, while the Spartans (2-3) were looking to get back in the win column after falling to perennial-power Garden City.

In a game where scoring threats were at a premium, and defensive prowess ruled the day, Elmont scored the first points of the contest late in the third quarter en route to a 14-0 victory in a Nassau Conference II football game played at Fireman’s Field. Senior running back Jaiyetoro Gordon-Younge carried the ball 20 times for 107 yards to lead the Spartans, who foiled the Eagles’ Homecoming.

Following a Central turnover at its own 35-yard line, Elmont needed just three plays to find the end zone. Senior Jalon Reese, who recovered the fumble moments earlier, took a handoff and plowed his way into the end zone for the touchdown. Senior Elekwa Onwuchekwa’s point after gave the Spartans a 7-0 lead with 1:14 to go in the third quarter.

Central had the upper hand in the opening half, but suffered a huge blow when quarterback Armani O’Brady, who ran for a school-record 357 yards against New Hyde Park, was injured midway through the second quarter and was unable to return. O’Brady had amassed 76 yards on 12 carries before the injury.

O’Brady’s injury changed the game. “That kid is a stud, so clearly it was the turning point of the game,” Elmont head coach Jay Hegi said. “He was dominating us. But, our defense has been stellar. That’s been our backbone all season. We have some real good guys on that side of the ball, and they really get after it.”

The Spartans were also playing shorthanded. Senior captain Emmanuel Flemming, one of the conference’s top two-way linemen, was out of the lineup due to an injury. Elmont received big efforts on defense from seniors Ebu Obiara, Mikhail Reid, Adjitay Johnson, and Ryan Nelson to post the shutout.

Despite the injury to its leader, Central showed no quit. Senior Christian Rodriguez took over at quarterback and came out firing. But, each time they seemed poised to sustain a drive and put themselves in scoring position, a turnover or a big play by the Elmont defense kept the Eagles from mounting a charge.

Elmont quarterback Jonathan Maldonado’s 51-yard touchdown run put the game out of reach. Onwuchekwa, who had a few key punts that left Central with poor field position, added the extra point. Central received solid defensive contributions from senior Jonathan Grant and juniors Ramario Jackson, Lionel Phillips and Robert Nunez.

“I’m proud of the way our guys fought,” Central head coach Mike Rubino said. “I thought the defense did an awesome job. We have to go back to the drawing board. There’s a long way to go. We’re certainly not done yet.”

The Eagles travel to Garden City to take on the undefeated Trojans this Saturday, while the Spartans welcome Calhoun to town. Both games kick off at 2 p.m.