South Side upends Elmont, 27-21

A defeat at Elmont in the Nassau Conference II football regular-season finale Oct. 29 cost South Side a chance to open the playoffs at home, but not a chance at redemption.

The fifth-seeded Cyclones, led by junior quarterback Owen West, made the most of a return trip to Elmont exactly one week later, capturing Saturday’s first-round matchup, 27-21, to earn their fourth trip to the semifinals in five seasons.

West had a rushing touchdown in each half and zipped a 17-yard scoring strike to junior Michael Aiello midway through the third quarter to put South Side (5-4) ahead for good. It advances to face six-time defending county champion and top-seeded Garden City at Hofstra this Friday at 4 p.m.

“We put last week behind us as fast as we could and focused on getting to Hofstra,” Cyclones head coach Phil Onesto said. “We were a little shorthanded and the kids knew everyone had to step up. They definitely did.”

South Side was still without its leading rusher, junior Jack Lozito, who was also leading Nassau when he injured an ankle last month, and also missing junior wideout/safety Michael Melkonian (quad), who had all three of its touchdowns in the loss at Elmont.

The Spartans, who defeated South Side, 24-20, on the final day of the regular season to surge up the power rankings to the No. 4 seed, finished 5-4.

“We weren’t disciplined today and had so many unnecessary penalties because we didn’t keep our cool,” Elmont head coach Jay Hegi said. “Usually there’s a few plays that decide a close game. I can think of about 15.”

After a back-and-forth, evenly played first half, the turning point came midway through the third quarter when South Side senior Christian Agosto partially blocked a punt around midfield to provide West & Co. with unexpected quality field position. Senior Jack Schaefer recovered at the Elmont 41 and three plays later, West hit a wide-open Aiello in stride on a post pattern. The Cyclones led for a third time, 21-14, following junior Nick Papadopulos’ extra-point kick.

“That was a play we’ve been working on all year and picked the perfect time to hit it,” Onesto said. “We haven’t been great on special teams this season, but in the second half we had two huge moments.”

Early in the fourth quarter, South Side capitalized on golden field position when it started possession at the Elmont 5 thanks to a botched snap of a punt attempt. West then followed a pile of linemen for a 1-yard touchdown and a 27-14 cushion that proved necessary since the Spartans responded quickly.

“Owen really showcased what he can do today, both in the passing game and running game,” Onesto said of West, who had a 26-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Senior quarterback Kimani Lewis had a hand in two of Elmont’s touchdowns, including an 81-yard kickoff return after West’s first score. Lewis also hooked up with Justus Nathaniel for a 29-yard score with 3:48 left in the fourth quarter.

South Side senior Danyae Northington (36 yards) and Elmont junior Isaiah Davis 16) traded first-quarter touchdown runs.