Lawrence offense clicks in win over VSN

After failing to score more than 21 points in any of its four October games, Lawrence’s offense put up three touchdowns in the first quarter last Friday night and the third-seeded Golden Tornadoes cruised to a 41-14 over No. 6 Valley Stream North in a Nassau Conference III first-round playoff game before a standing-room-only home crowd.

Senior quarterback Akym Land threw four touchdown passes — three to senior Danny Amaya — including a 16-yard scoring strike to sophomore Jordan Alexander on the final play of the first quarter to give Lawrence a 20-0 advantage. North, which entered the playoffs on a three-game winning streak, had four turnovers but managed to reach the end zone in each of the last two quarters.

However, it wasn’t all good news for the Golden Tornadoes (7-2), who advance to meet second-seeded Roosevelt in this Friday’s semifinals. Senior linemen Jairo Amaya (high ankle sprain) and Jeffrey Vargas (dislocated kneecap) suffered season-ending injuries.

“Our main issue all season was to keep Akym safe,” Lawrence head coach Joe Martillotti said. “It’s the first year he’s been healthy all the way. He was pretty sharp tonight and we finally clicked up front. But being down two linemen against Roosevelt makes things a lot more challenging.”

Though Lawrence built a 34-0 halftime lead, North head coach Tom Schiavo was pleased with the Spartans’ effort. “To have a chance against a great team like Lawrence, you’ve got to play a game with very few mistakes,” he said. “They’re fast and have tons of talent. Our kids never stopped trying. They made a heck of a push to get to the playoffs and I’d take this group year after year.”

The Golden Tornadoes (7-2) scored on each of their first five possessions, driving 65, 60, 26, 55 and 93 yards. Stays set up the first touchdown, a 2-yard run by junior Christian Rodas, with a 45-yard burst down the home sideline, and also set up Amaya’s 3-yard touchdown grab with a 30-yard gain.

Leading 13-0, a fumble recovery by senior Joel Blanco set up Land & Co. at the Spartans’ 26 late in the opening quarter. Three plays later, Land connected with Alexander on a slant pass similar to their game-winning TD hookup in overtime at Hewlett back in Week 4.

Amaya had a dynamic one-handed touchdown grab from 25 yards out with 7:33 left in the half to make it 27-0. Lawrence’s defense thwarted a first-and-goal opportunity on North’s ensuing possession, and the offense turned around and went 93 yards on 11 plays, capped by Amaya’s 22-yard touchdown reception.

The Spartans (4-5) got on the board in the third quarter when junior quarterback John Ruddick hit senior Nick Casatelli for an 18-yard score. Freshman Tim Hutchinson added a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth after sophomore Christian Fredericks scored for Lawrence.

“We started the year 1-4 and were staring 1-5 in the face before the kids really turned it around,” Schiavo explained. “They were really excited to make the playoffs.”