Seaford dominates to reach finals

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The Seaford-Locust Valley Nassau Conference IV football semifinal playoff game on Nov. 9 could not have gone much differently than the teams’ regular-season meeting.

Seaford seized control early in the rematch with a complete first quarter dominance in a 41-0 win at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium to advance into the title game for a second straight year. The defending Conference IV champions, who fell to the Falcons 14-0 on Oct. 14, controlled time of possession for all but two plays in the first quarter thanks to four onside kick recoveries in building a commanding 28-0 lead.

“We worked hard all week and we executed our game plan,” Seaford head coach Rob Perpall said. “So many kids stepped up and played within themselves.”

The Vikings rushed for 366 yards led by 174 from junior running back Joe Angelastro on 25 carries. Angelastro’s 49-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds remaining followed by an Andrew Cuchel extra point gave Seaford a 28-0 lead. He then added another touchdown late in the second quarter for a 35-0 advantage going into halftime.

“There was so much momentum, so much enthusiasm,” Angelastro said of the fast start. “We weren’t going to be stopped.”

Senior running back Nick Calandra got Seaford the lead quickly out of the gate with a 4-yard touchdown run 3:40 into the game to cap a seven-play 66-yard opening drive. The Vikings then showed explosion through the air with sophomore quarterback Logan Masters tossing touchdown passes to Luke Farrant and Zachary Grog. The second touchdown toss was a 50-yard bomb with 53 seconds left in the quarter after Seaford recovered a Locust Valley fumble at midfield.

“He’s very, very smart and he’s cool under pressure,” Perpall said of Masters, who was 3-for-5 passing. “He’s phenomenal.”

Seaford dominated in all facets of the game out-gaining Locust Valley 265 to 27 in the first half and 366 to 87 for the game. The Vikings also controlled time of possession 19:33 to 4:27 in the first half aided by onside kick recoveries on special teams and forcing five early turnovers on defense. 

Seaford came into the semifinals riding momentum after a dramatic 14-12 first round win against West Hempstead decided on a game-winning 31-yard touchdown pass hauled in by Sean Allen with just 15 seconds left. The Vikings will look to continue the magical playoff run Thursday night at 7 p.m. back at Hofstra with a chance to repeat as county champions for the first time since 2010 against top-seeded Cold Spring Harbor, which handed Seaford a 21-7 loss on Sept. 28. Just like with Locust Valley, the Vikings will be looking to atone a 14-point regular season loss in a rematch with far more at stake.

“If we play well, we can play with anybody,” Perpall said. “It’s all about faith and belief in each other.”