The Sewanhaka Indians topped the New Hyde Park Memorial Gladiators by a score of 53-28 on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The game was close in the first quarter; with the Gladiators evening scoring first on a 8-yard touchdown catch by Matt Dluglinski.
The Indians responded and led 18-7 behind a strong run game, after the first quarter. Midway through the second, the Indians faced a long 2nd-and-26. Indians QB Jake Mellen threw a quick slot pass to wide receiver Elijah Smith who broke a tackle and took it 70 yards for another score.
Gladiators quarterback Thomas Kemmett handled the pressure thrown at him by the Indians defensive line and led the Gladiators down field with his legs. The Gladiators were able to respond as Kemmet threw a touchdown to his brother, Michael Kemmet, their first of two scores on the day. The touchdown brought the Gladiators within 18, trailing 39-21.
“We got a couple of good running backs and the whole offensive line did a nice job today,” said Indians head coach George Kasimatis.
The Gladiators rally was short-lived, with Indians running back Brendon Mighty showcasing breakway speed on the next play. Starting on the 20-yard line, Mighty broke one out to the right and took it 79-yards all the way to the Gladiators
1-yard line. On the very next play, Michael Parasconda punched it in.
The Gladiators had trouble responding and matching the momentum the Indians had built. After the teams traded interceptions, the Indians took over with just a minute left and marched down the field and scored in only 30 seconds.
Mellen connected with Jacques Francios on the score.
Gladiators head coach Kevin Dolan said giving up the big play was an issue, but they are working on it.
“We want to win,” said Dolan. “You need to get 11 guys playing well at the same time. Throughout the season we can only get five or six guys, but today we had eight or nine guys playing well.”
The Gladiators refused to quit in the second half. Kemmet threw two more touchdown passes in the second half, one to Joseph Gardella and a second to his brother Michael, giving Thomas four touchdown passes on the day.
The win improves the Indians record to 2-3 and drops the Gladiators to 0-5. The Gladiators will play Glen Cove this Saturday, while the Indians will host Division.
