61.0°,
Mostly Cloudy Mixed start for South Side
Posted
South Side's Dillon Scaduto, who scored the game-winning TD at Bethpage on opening day, tries to get by Westbury's Jean Alexinor in last week's home loss.
Kathy Leistner/Herald
South Side entered last Thursday’s home football opener against Westbury sky-high after a surprising overtime win at defending Nassau Conference III champion Bethpage just five days earlier. However, the combination of facing a stifling defense and a lightning-speed Green Dragons ground game proved too much for the Cyclones to overcome in a 25-0 defeat.
South Side’s home opener arriving less than a week after its emotional win over Bethpage created a sloppy few days of practice, which head coach Paul Mastronardi attributed to much of their struggles. The Westbury running game produced more than 200 yards and the defense held the hosts without a first down for the final three quarters. “We just did not practice well this week,” Mastronardi said after the game. “The Westbury coaches were very well prepared for us.”
The South Side offense had one effective drive early in the first quarter that stalled at the five yard line after a fumble. During the drive senior tailback Dillon Scaduto made some key runs including a seven-yard pickup on a fourth-and-two. Junior quarterback James Howard also connected on a clutch 21-yard pass to senior Michael Bruno that put the Cyclones in position to take an early lead.
Westbury’s ground attack was anchored by Wayne Stewart, who amassed 125 yards including touchdown runs of 82 and 42 yards. “They were really very, very quick,” said Mastronardi of Westbury’s potent running backs. “Our kids hadn’t seen that kind of team speed yet this year so that is why we had a lot of missed tackles on defense.”
It was a far different story in South Side’s opening game at Bethpage when the Cyclones rallied from an early deficit to stun the Golden Eagles, 13-7 in overtime. Scaduto was a key factor in the upset win, rushing for 42 yards including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. “He’s a talented young kid,” said Mastronardi of his top running back.
Also stepping up big offensively in the win over Bethpage was Howard with 124 yards through the air and senior tight end Max Rosing, who hauled in six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. The defense also had some key contributors including senior lineman Gavin Ahern registering 14 tackles and two sacks and junior linebacker Tyler Donoghue with 18 tackles, including eight solo. Senior linemen Ray Gallagher and Kevin Yim also put the pressure on Bethpage with a sack apiece.
“The kids are doing a tremendous job,” said Mastronardi of his many players on both sides of the ball making key plays.
Next up for South Side is a trip to Great Neck North this Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. The Blazers are also 1-1 with a blowout loss to Plainedge and a victory over North Shore. The Cyclones are back home Oct. 3 to take on Hewlett.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 204.
Report an inappropriate comment
Comments