Freeport runs past East Meadow

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Greg Pimentel was an explosive difference for host Freeport in its 27-7 Conference I football first-round playoff win against East Meadow last Friday night.

The senior running back scored four touchdowns and racked up 216 total yards to lead the third-seeded Red Devils (7-2) to a commanding win and set up a semifinal game at Hofstra. 

“I really just have to give thanks to my line,” Pimentel said. “We practiced real hard, and we were coached very well this week. We were ready.”

Freeport struck first after Pimentel dashed for a seven-yard touchdown on the Devil’s first drive for a 7-0 lead. He later caught a pass from sophomore quarterback Terrance Edmond across the middle and scored untouched on a 73-yarder that put the Red Devils up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.  

Although East Meadow (4-5) was setback by broken coverages and penalties in the first half, the Jets orchestrated a promising 12-play, clock-eating drive on their first possession in the third quarter to try to get back in the game. 

Down by two touchdowns, senior quarterback Shawn Regan, who compiled 183 yards on 28 keepers, rushed 44 yards down the left sideline to Freeport’s 10-yard line. 

Four downs later, on fourth-and-goal from the seven, he tossed the ball to Victor Castro near the goal line, but Freeport’s senior linebacker Robert Fitzsimmons and junior defensive back Justin Lescouflair blanketed the senior wide receiver and knocked the ball away.

Freeport then seized control on the next play with a 93-yard touchdown run by Pimentel down the left sideline for a 20-0 lead. He finished with 138 yards on eight carries. 

Regan (5-for-7 for 41 yards passing) scored with his legs from two yards out with 3:35 left in the game to cap a 15-play drive that started at 1:04 left in the third. 

But Pimentel dashed any hope of a late comeback when, on the next drive, he added his fourth touchdown on a 16-yard run.

East Meadow’s defense shined in parts of the game, forcing two three-and-outs in the first half. Junior defensive back Will Ospina III sacked Edmond for an 18-yard loss, putting Freeport in a 2-and-28 dilemma a few plays before Pimentel’s 73-yard catch-and-run. 

“It was really the big plays that kind of hurt us here today,” East Meadow head coach Doug Bange said.

Freeport’s Fitzsimmons generated 10.5 tackles and defensive back Frankie Paulino notched a sack. Senior running back Aaje Grayson also produced with 53 yards on eight carries.

“I told Greg and Aaje I think they are the best one-two punch in Nassau County,” Freeport head coach Russ Cellan said. “One week it’s Aaje, the next week it’s Greg; the next week it’s both of them.”

Freeport will look to take the next step in its quest to repeat as county champs when it faces second-seeded Massapequa Saturday night at Hofstra for an 8:30 p.m. kickoff. Massapequa edged the Devils 21-13 in the regular-season meeting on Sept. 23.