Hewlett qualifies for playoffs

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For the first time since 2018, Hewlett will be playing playoff football.
Last Friday evening, the Bulldogs capped a strong run to the Nassau Conference III postseason with their fourth win in five games as they steamrolled Mineola, 41-0, behind six different touchdown scorers.
It was also the third consecutive road victory for Hewlett (5-3), which earned the No. 7 seed and will head to No. 2 Wantagh for a first-round playoff matchup Saturday at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs’ only road defeat this season came in Week 2 at Wantagh.
“In the preseason we were seeded 10 and we finished three spots higher, and it’s nice to be going to the playoffs,” Hewlett head coach John Palladino said. “Our goal every year is to overachieve. We haven’t earned the right to talk about rings or championships yet, but the kids have played really well and there’s a lot to feel good about.”
Senior quarterback Mark Winkler has been the catalyst, Palladino said. Winkler had a 74-yard touchdown run in the second quarter at Mineola following a career game the previous week at Lynbrook when the Bulldogs defeated the Owls for the first time in program history, 33-14.

“Mark was All-County last season and has played at an extremely high level the past month,” Palladino said. “Our plan all along was to add him to the defense for the second half of the season. He’s doing a great job at safety.”
Winkler did everything except punt and kick extra points in the pivotal win at Lynbrook on Oct. 22. He rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown, passed for a score, returned a fumble for a touchdown, forced a fumble, blocked a field-goal attempt and made 11 tackles. His passing touchdown, a 44-yard dime to sophomore Mekhi Jean-Baptiste, came with seconds remaining in the first half and gave the Bulldogs a 20-0 lead.
“He blocked a field goal on Lynbrook’s opening drive so we didn’t have to play from behind,” Palladino said. “And the touchdown before the half killed any momentum they had.”
Winkler didn’t attempt a pass in the 25mph wind conditions at Mineola. He had one of Hewlett’s five rushing touchdowns. Senior Jon Zenny opened the scoring with a 36-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Seniors Evan Greenberg and Anthony Yakush, and Jean-Baptiste added scores in the second quarter. Yakush returned a punt block by Greenberg 24 yards for a touchdown. Senior Stephen Hoffman capped the win with a fourth-quarter touchdown run.
It was the third shutout for a defense led by senior nose guard Jacob Maiorano, who leads the unit in tackles and hasn’t missed a snap on either side of the ball.
Maiorano & Co. will have their hands full containing Wantagh’s prolific ground attack. “We have to be creative with some offensive formations and be a lot more consistent on defense,” Palladino said. “Wantagh has an insane running game with three kids who can go the distance at any time.”