Seaford looks for strong finish

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Seaford football enters the second half of the regular season looking to reestablish momentum before the postseason.

The Vikings (3-1) won their first three games convincingly outscoring opponents a combined 117-8 in the process before running into defending Conference IV champion Cold Spring Harbor last Saturday. The early season success was driven in large part by an explosive running game that combined for nearly 400 yards in a 41-0 win against Valley Stream South on Sept. 28.

Longtime Seaford head coach Rob Perpall credits the success of his lethal rushing attack to a strong offensive line.  The unit features Nick Brandi, Tim Russell, Pat Quinn, Joe Cain and Nick Luciano along with tight end Connor Vandusen.

“Our offensive line is really improved over last year,” said Perpall, who has captured six county titles and two Long Island crowns in his nearly two decades leading the Seaford sideline. “The game is won or lost on the line.”

Seaford boasts multiple running back weapons capable of running off a big play at any moment.  Senior Tom Viscio rushed for 242 yards in Seaford’s season-opening 41-0 win at Malverne and then scored three touchdowns a week later during a 35-8 triumph against Clarke. Andrew Volpi and Jake Murphy are also backfield threats that amassed 133 and 91 yards, respectively, during the Valley Stream South victory.

The Vikings’ potent rushing offense is complemented by the passing ability of senior quarterback Logan Masters, who was an integral part of the leading Seaford to the a Long Island championship in 2017.  Masters completed three of his four passing attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown in the romp over Malverne was 8-for-11 passing in the Clarke game.

“Logan is throwing the ball very well,” Perpall said. “He is much improved from last year.”

The Seaford defense was stout in the first three games in holding three opponents to just one touchdown.  Senior defensive lineman Chris Surace and junior linebacker Craig Ackerman have been a force stopping the running game. Defensive backs Rob Necco, Jason Rebaudo and Nick Barreiros anchor the secondary that has forced multiple interceptions in the season.

Seaford will look to get back on track after a 44-6 loss at Cold Spring Harbor when it opens the home stretch of the season at West Hempstead for a 2 p.m. kickoff this Saturday. The Vikings then return home for a Friday night game on Oct. 18 against Island Trees, who is also 3-1 to open the season. The regular season concludes at East Rockaway Oct. 26 and then back at Seaford for homecoming Nov. 2 versus Locust Valley.

Perpall credits his coaching staff and Seaford’s longtime youth football program, the Long Island Broncos for establishing a winning culture in the program. The Vikings will be gunning for their fifth straight county finals appearance when playoff football commences the second weekend of November.

“If everyone is doing their job we have a chance to make some waves,” Perpall said.