Gladiators fall to Manhasset Indians in six-point loss
New Hyde Park Memorial High School kick started the weekend holding its annual homecoming parade on Saturday, Sept. 28 right before the big game against Manhasset High School.
The parade started at the intersection of Lakeville Road and Jericho Turnpike, then made its way toward the high school on Leonard Boulevard. It consisted of floats, fire trucks, sports cars, cheerleaders, with the marching band and many students lining the streets with school pride. The floats made were a part of the competition between the graduating classes from the seventh-to 12th grade.
This year’s theme featured popular board games. The award for best float belonged to the Class of 2016, featuring a colorful mobile platform resembling the game of Monopoly and large figure depicted the game’s mustached-mascot, Rich Uncle Pennybags.
After the parade, fans flourished to the stands to watch their hometown Gladiators play against the Manhasset Indians. Both teams were desperate for a win; each opened the year with two straight losses.
New Hyde Park struggled to maintain a consistent drive. They gave two interceptions to Manhasset, which left the Gladiators trailing 14-0 lead by halftime.
The intermission featured performances from the school’s cheerleaders, step team, baton twirlers and their kickline squad. Jerryl Abraham and Marisa Bartos received thunderous applause from the crowd after it was announced they were the 2013 homecoming king and queen.
The player of the game was Manhasset’s James Farrell, who scored two touchdowns and racked up 234 total yards. Trailing 20-0 going into the fourth quarter, New Hyde Park managed to score two touchdowns, cutting the lead to six, but the Gladiators’ failed third-down attempts and lack of a run game gave way to a strong offensive front from the Indians.
