Mepham shutout streak adds Calhoun

September was all about donuts and turnovers for Mepham’s football team.

The Pirates, who closed last season on a six-game skid including three scoreless performances, posted their third consecutive shutout victory of 2024 with a rain-soaked 31-0 home win Saturday over Calhoun in a Nassau Conference II matchup of neighboring rivals.

Junior Lenny Achan had three rushing touchdowns — all in the first half — and five different Mepham defenders recorded takeaways as it surpassed last year’s win total in longtime assistant Tom Mazeika’s opening month as head coach.  

“The best thing about how we’re playing is we’re getting contributions from everyone who steps on the field,” Mazeika said. “The defense has played lights-out and even though it took us a little while to get going today, the offense is doing its job.”

The Colts (1-2) foiled Mepham’s first three red-zone opportunities but were held to fewer than 100 yards on offense with three interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles.

“We’re not going to beat anyone if we commit five turnovers,” Calhoun head coach Nick Rawls said. “The defense kept us in it with some fantastic effort early. We’re not where we want to be, but last week and in the second half today we showed we’re capable.”

Each of Mepham’s first four possessions began in enemy territory, including two inside the 15. One was set up by senior Matthew Biscardi’s fumble recovery and another by senior Jayden Perez’s blocked punt. The first of those short fields ended with a missed field goal and the other with two pass breakups in the end zone by Colts sophomore Joe Smith.

The Pirates finally cashed in late in the first quarter on a one-play drive. Achan’s 25-yard touchdown run gave them all the points they’d need. He also found paydirt in the second quarter from 7 and 3 yards out, racing behind an offensive line consisting of center Christopher Mann, Declan McArdle, Stamatis Kayantas, Mario Corrao and Tyler Kearney.

“Those are my guys,” Achan said of the O-line. “They work hard in the weight room and come to play every week.”

Senior Stephen Soel’s fumble recovery set up Achan’s second touchdown and senior Tyler Rannacher’s interception set up his third score. The lead was 24-0 at halftime after senior Ryan Bayer’s 27-yard field goal.

Senior Paul Sansano had a fumble recovery for Calhoun’s defense early in the second half, setting up the offense at the Mepham 33. But two snaps later, the Pirates had the ball back thanks to Shakhi Davidov’s interception.

“We treated this as just another game,” Davidov said. “To put up another shutout feels great.”

Rannacher caught a 32-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter from senior quarterback Owen Heller, who rushed for 63 yards. Achan had 80 yards on the ground and Biscardi added 72.

“We’re having physical practices and carrying that into games,” Mazeika said. “Last year we lost four one-score games. They guys came into the season focused and are doing a good job of taking one practice and one week at a time.”