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Overcast Rams fall on road to Falcons
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Kyle Garrett scored the Rams' only touchdown last Saturday.
Kathy Leistner/Herald
Heavy rains during the second half didn’t help West Hempstead’s struggling offense in last Saturday’s 21-7 defeat at Valley Stream South in a battle of the two lowest-ranked teams in Conference III.
Falcons senior quarterback Terence Meaney had a pair of touchdown runs and went 5-for-8 passing for 55 yards to lead an offense that hadn’t scored since a season-opening loss to Lynbrook. South (1-3) was blanked at Manhasset in Week 2 and had both of its touchdowns in Week 3 at Glen Cove come on special teams. Seniors J.P. Velasquez (74 yards, one touchdown) and Tyrek McEachin (60 yards) led the ground attack in the win.
For the first time this season, South was on the positive side of big plays. Within its first three possessions it produced nine plays of 10 yards or more, including a 20-yard touchdown run by Meaney on the opening play of the second quarter and a 26-yard scoring burst by Velasquez on the next series. In between touchdowns, a defense led by junior linebacker Ahmed Nasar (eight tackles, one interception) and senior end Obi Nwaigwe (seven tackles, one sack) twice forced the Rams to go three-and-out.
West Hempstead’s best offensive series came with it trailing 21-0 late in the first half. Senior quarterback Nile Quick totaled 18 yards on four runs and hooked up with senior Anthony Misiano for a 22-yard gain through the air to get into the red zone. But on first-and-10 from the South 16, a snap over Quick’s head resulted in a fumble and junior Matthew Bishop recovered for the Falcons.
“We had too many turnovers and penalties,” West Hempstead coach Adam Brown said. “We stayed positive and played a strong second half and shut them out. These kids always fight to the end. We have four games left and they’re all winnable.”
The Rams (0-4) had another solid drive stall at the South 34 early in the fourth quarter. Quick ripped off a 38 yard run and completed two short passes to senior Roberto Reyes, but the possession would end on downs. A defense led by junior linebacker Michael Castagna (two sacks) would score West Hempstead’s only points with 1:40 remaining. Junior Kyle Garrett scooped up a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, giving it some good news to take into this Saturday’s game at home versus Great Neck North at 3 p.m. The Falcons are home to Westbury.
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