Plainedge takes down Seaford
One of Nassau’s most dominant football programs over the past decade with five county championships and three Long Island titles, Plainedge hasn’t played too many statement games in September.
Friday night, however, with top-seeded and defending Conference IV champion Seaford in town, the Red Devils wanted to serve notice and did just that.
Junior Dylan Fella rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns and senior Alec Anderson had three sacks, a fumble recovery and a touchdown reception as Plainedge defeated the Vikings, 28-14, before a jam-packed crowd at Edward Byrne Memorial Field.
“We didn’t like the way last season ended and have something to prove,” said Fella, who put the hosts ahead for good midway through the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run. “We have big goals,” he added. “County title and LIC. Those are two things that we’re working for.”
Seaford (1-2), which has six county championships in the past decade, didn’t allow a point in the second half but couldn’t overcome a three-touchdown Plainedge (3-0) onslaught over the final 6:30 of the first half. Junior quarterback Michael Spinella threw for a pair a touchdowns for the visitors.
“We have to clean some things up but we have some positive things to take away from tonight,” Vikings first-year head coach Mike McHugh said. “Plainedge has a tremendous program and took control of the game a bit just before halftime. I told our guys they could wave the flag or come out and fight in the second half and they really showed that Seaford pride and battled.”
The Red Devils, who last in the Conference III semifinals last fall, overcame two long touchdown runs by Fella called back on penalties and didn’t maintain their stamina as much as head coach Rob Shaver would’ve liked.
“We’ve got some improving to do and know we have to be better in certain areas, but it’s a good win over the top seed and we’ll take it,” Shaver said. “We’re learning more and more about ourselves as we go. We just want to keep getting better every day.”
The Jaxson two — Plainedge sophomore quarterback Jaxson Torres and senior running back Jaxson Gawronski — keyed the game’s first score on its opening possession. A 30-yard completion to senior Jake Parpan and a 20-yard run by Fella set up Gawronski’s 7-yard run.
Seaford pulled even on Spinella’s perfectly thrown deep ball to senior Kyle Britton resulting in a 69-yard touchdown.
Plainedge orchestrated scoring drives covering 52, 60 and 69 yards in the second quarter to turn a 7-7 deadlock into a 28-7 halftime lead. Its last two scores — Fella’s 8-yard run and Anderson’s 13-yard grab — came with 2:13 and 23 seconds left in the half, respectively.
The Vikings had the best drive of either team in the second half, going 83 yards after Ayden Das’ interception and scoring on Brian Hennessy’s 13-yard touchdown catch on fourth down in traffic late in the third quarter.
Seaford will try to snap a two-game slide when it travels to Malverne Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Red Devils also hit the road, facing North Shore Saturday at 2 p.m.
