Casey Kimmel's INTs are key in Massapequa's win
Syosset's Michael Elardo tries to defend Massapequa's James Magaldi during a Nassau I playoff football quarterfinal at Syosset High School on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Credit: Richard T. Slattery
A true challenge, a test of his A-game, requiring all of his football smarts . . . Massapequa cornerback Casey Kimmel's assignment this week was all of the above. But the senior welcomed the task of defending Syosset receiver Michael Elardo -- who set a Long Island record last season for receiving yards and was arguably Nassau's best receiver again this year -- with open arms.
"Everyone knows him. He's a good receiver," Kimmel said. "I just wanted to make a name for myself and our team."
Kimmel jumped Elardo's slant route for an interception in the second quarter, but it was his pick in the end zone late in the fourth quarter that put an emphatic stamp on the fifth-seeded Chiefs' 35-16 win over No. 4 Syosset in Nassau I.
Kimmel returned his second interception 61 yards to set up Chris Bacotti's 39-yard rushing TD on Massapequa's next play for the game's final score.
"He was the go-to guy," coach Kevin Shippos said of Kimmel.
The drama for this clash was set seven weeks ago, when Cameron Biegel's 24-yard FG gave Syosset a thrilling 40-39 win over the Chiefs in Week 2.
"We lost by 1 on our home field. Nothing worse than that," Massapequa quarterback Justin Lynskey said. "When they kicked that field goal, they all came on the field, started celebrating, that was a terrible feeling. We kept it in the back of our minds all week."
The defense played like that game was burned into its memory. Massapequa made three interceptions -- Kimmel's two and one by Chris Wasson in the game's waning moments. The defensive line brought its best -- "unbelievable," "tremendous" and "best game they've played this year" is how Shippos described the effort -- and racked up nine sacks. John Cardis, James Magaldi and Frank Callan each had two. Anthony White forced a fumble and recovered it.
In the first half, Massapequa (5-4) built a 21-3 lead thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by Lynskey and touchdown runs of 10 and 14 yards by Tommy Macri. It was the same play each time: Macri started on the right, motioned left, got the handoff and swept left for the TD.
Syosset (5-4) scored on its first two possessions of the third quarter: Will Hogan to Robert Santiago for a 39-yard TD, and Biegel to Hogan (after he lateraled to Biegel) for a thrilling 95-yard score.
But Lynskey barreled in a score from 8 yards out on Massapequa's next possession to make it 28-16, and the defense did the rest.
Massapequa will play No. 1 Oceanside on Saturday at Hofstra.
"Playing football at Hofstra, there's nothing like it," Lynskey said. "I'm pumped."
