Freeport runs past Baldwin

Baldwin couldn’t have scripted a better opening to its Nassau Conference I semifinal matchup with top-seeded Freeport at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium last Saturday.

The Red Devils chewed up yardage and plenty of clock but couldn’t put a dent in the scoreboard as the seventh-seeded Bruins recovered fumbles on Freeport’s first three possessions.

Senior Kevin Allen thrust himself into a starring role in the second quarter, however, scoring two of his four rushing touchdowns and leading the Red Devils to a 34-0 victory. He ran for 292 yards on 35 carries and also threw a 35-yard touchdown, tying the county record for touchdowns in a season (29) in the process.

“You don’t have those numbers running the ball without the offensive line,” Freeport coach Russ Cellan said. “We were able to control the line of scrimmage.”

In the three drives immediately following fumble recoveries by senior Matt Stoddard, and juniors King Bulaon and Eyituoyo Ofuya, the Baldwin offense managed just two total yards and all ended with three-and-outs. "We had our shots at it," Bruins coach Steve Carroll said. "It should have been 14-7 at halftime."

Baldwin's best chance for a score came in its only trip inside the red zone on the last drive of the half. Senior Troy Dennis picked a pass from junior quarterback Nick LoBello right off the fingertips of Red Devils senior defensive back Ashanti Foster-Felder, turned and ran it to the Freeport 18 for a 42-yard gain. The offense got an extra five yards tacked on as the result of a facemask penalty and had first-and-10 from the 13. After three consecutive runs by seniors Alonzo Holcombe and Femi Aliyu netted seven yards, Dennis lined up under center on fourth down. He took the snap and rolled left, but under heavy pressure, his pass to senior tight end Andrew Gubelli was picked off by Foster-Felder at the front of the end zone. "They closed us down and there was not anything we could do," Carroll said.

Holcombe, one of several stars in the Bruins' 28-21 first-round win at East Meadow, was bottled up from the start, netting just 37 yards on 16 carries. LoBello completed 4 of 9 passes for 64 yards (two to Gubelli for 20 yards) but was sacked three times. Dennis, who took a handful of snaps and handoffs and was targeted on several throws didn't find much open space to flash his big-play ability. "Our whole defensive front did a terrific job against the run," Cellan said. "Baldwin wants to run the ball and they're a physical team."

Aliyu ended his career with 10 tackles and a sack, often putting himself in the path of Allen. "He's a good football player and did a lot of good stuff," Carroll said. "He's a four-year linebacker and we're really going to miss him."

The Bruins finished 5-5.