Seahawks Shut Down Baymen In Homecoming Win
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Members of the Cold Spring Harbor cheerleading team and football team warm up for the homecoming game at the school’s pep rally before the game.
The heavy rain did not deter Cold Spring Harbor’s football team from coming out on top of Saturday’s homecoming game. The Seahawks defeated the Oyster Bay Baymen, 14-0.
Fans packed the bleachers to celebrate homecoming, despite the rainy weather.
“We had a great crowd,” football coach Jon Mendreski said. “I think the boys appreciated the crowd. It makes the homecoming that much more special especially for the seniors since it’s their last game.”
The Seahawks completed the game without the Baymen getting a single point on the scoreboard.
“Defense has been playing well all year,” Mendreski said. “I thought they did a good job shutting down Oyster Bay’s offense. They play well as a group and they buy into the strategy that we have set up.”
Junior running back Connor Cassidy executed a 17-yard touchdown run with 10:09 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Junior kicker Elijah Gordon converted extra point for the Seahawks, bringing the score to 7-0.
Cold Spring Harbor senior captain Dylan Guarneri, a running back, increased his team’s lead with a 4-yard touchdown run with 1:49 minutes left in the game. Gordon again converted the extra point, and the Seahawks led 14-0.
“Connor played well both offensively and defensively,” Mendreski said. “He ran the ball well and defensively he made a couple of nice plays in the secondary.”
Throughout the game, Mendreski said, Cassidy gained 178 yards on nine carries, and Guarneri gained 100 yards on 17 carries.
Guarneri, who also plays defense as a linebacker, made 10 tackles and recorded two sacks.
Junior defensive back Hamilton Carlin hauled in an interception and recovered a fumble. Senior defensive lineman Gavin McGowan had one sack.
The win improved the Seahawks to 4-3 in the Nassau IV.
In between the football action, fans participated in homecoming festivities, including the naming of Julie Russo as homecoming queen and Tony Kasper as homecoming king.
Cold Spring Harbor now readies for its next game, which is scheduled for Saturday, 2 p.m., against North Shore. Mendreski said the game, which will be played at North Shore High School, will likely determine which of the two teams gets a spot in the upcoming playoffs.
"If we win, it should put us into the playoffs. If we don't, we're going to need some help from some other teams," Mendreski said. "It's still a possibility, but it's not a guarantee, so the boys need to play well."
