(Photos courtesy of Syosset Schools)
For the first time in 40 years, the Syosset High School varsity football team was crowned Nassau County champions after defeating Baldwin High School in the Conference I Championship game on Nov. 20.
In the final offensive drive of the game, junior quarterback William Hogan led the Braves on a six-play, 55-yard touchdown drive that culminated in Ian Berg’s two-yard run to pay-dirt to make the score 26-20 with just over three minutes remaining.
Syosset’s defense stiffened and the Braves hoisted the trophy in front of a packed crowd at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium.
Receiver Michael Elardo made history on the same night. His eight catches for 111 yards set the Long Island record for most yards received in a single season. Elardo finished the campaign with 1,343 total yards on the year.
The last time Syosset varsity football team secured a county championship was in 1974. The 2014 Braves will now face their counterpart, Suffolk County champion Lindenhurst, for the Long Island Championship on Nov. 28 at 12 p.m. at Hofstra University.
