Cold Spring Harbor Seahawks Football Soars Into Championship
/
The Seahawks celebrate their 39-7 win over Carle Place-Wheatley in the Nassau Conference IV semifinal.
By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
The Cold Spring Harbor Seahawks soared in the team's semifinal matchup, defeating Carle Place-Wheatley, 39-7, to snag a spot in tonight’s Nassau Conference IV title game.
Cold Spring Harbor coach Jonathan Mendreski said senior running back Connor Cassidy played a big part in the 32-point win on Nov. 9 as he rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.
“Connor just keeps getting better,” Mendreski said. “He’s always 100 percent as far as effort goes — his work ethic has always been outstanding. And he’s a patient runner, following his blocks and waiting for holes to open up.”
However, it was junior wide receiver and defensive back Tommy Milana who sparked the Seahawks early in the first quarter with 75-yard punt return for a touchdown, Mendreski said.
One of Cassidy’s three scores, a 68-yard run, came in the first quarter.
Cassidy also kicked off the second quarter with an 8-yard touchdown. Sophomore Richie Striano later returned an interception 26 yards for a score, and senior quarterback Teddy Bentley rushed for a 3-yard touchdown.
The Seahawks’ final touchdown came in the fourth quarter when Cassidy rushed for a 42-yard touchdown.
Senior kicker Eli Gordon tacked on three extra points in the win.
Mendreski said the undefeated Seahawks have continued to grow as the season has progressed, but didn’t lack confidence to start the season
“They come in with the ‘can’t lose’ attitude — losing isn’t even in the conversation,” he said.
The mindset has gotten Cold Spring Harbor to the Nassau Conference IV championship game, which is slated for tonight at 7 p.m. at Hofstra University in Hempstead. The Seahawks will face Seaford, a team that has lost twice this season, once to Cold Spring Harbor.
“We’ll treat it as any other game,” Mendreski said, adding that this is the first time since 2005 the Seahawks have reached the county finals.
“I attribute that to the kids working hard, and staying focused during the week,” he said, adding that “they’re still having fun, which is good.”
