Dom Novello's first game at QB a big success for Mepham
Mepham quarterback Dominick Novello finds an open receiver during a Nassau Conference II football game against host Elmont on Saturday. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
The transition from player of all positions to master of one is working for Mepham’s Dom Novello. The Pirates playmaker was comfortable with catching passes, taking handoffs and running back kicks. He was a threat whenever he touched the football.
Now, in his senior year, Novello, touches the ball on every play, directing the Mepham offense at quarterback.
The move came with long hours in the film room studying the art of the position and trying to recognize the different defensive alignments.
Novello would be the first to admit that the transition has been very difficult.
“It’s easier to just catch a pass and run,” Novello said. “The quarterback has to run the offense – it’s not easy. I had to learn drops, reads, routes, and take the time to watch defense is the key.”
Novello looked like a seasoned veteran in Mepham’s season opener Saturday in Elmont. The senior threw for three touchdowns and completed seven of 12 passes for 167 yards in a 29-6 win over Elmont in a Nassau Conference II football game.
“Dom is exactly who we thought he would be at quarterback,” said Mepham’s Matt Moody, who earned his first win as a head coach. “He’s a great athlete and putting the ball in his hands is always a good thing. He sat in the pocket, was patient, and moved only when he needed to. We had no turnovers.”
His first completion resulted in a 35-yard touchdown pass to Steve Mulqueen with 5:01 left in the first quarter. Novello zipped a pass to the sideline where Mulqueen slipped a defender and outran the defense for the score. He added the two-point conversion when he threaded a beautiful pass to Chris Norris for an 8-0 lead.
On the Pirates next possession, Novello directed a four play, 70-yard drive, capped by a 42-yard scoring strike to Mulqueen for a 15-0 lead.
“It shows that Mepham put in the time in the offseason,” said Elmont coach Jay Hegi. “We made far too many mistakes and penalties really cost us. We were undisciplined out there and we have to get better in all phases of the game. It’s disappointing but we’ll be back at it this week looking to improve.”
Mepham halfback Ryan Thier accounted for the third score when he powered his way into the end zone on a 6-yard run for the 22-0 lead with 6:53 left in the half. Thier finished with 97 yards on nine carries. He was also the hammer in the middle of the Pirates defense which stuffed the Elmont running game allowing 47 yards on 27 carries.
“We had a few mistakes out there but we basically shut them down,” said Their, who had 11 tackles. “Elmont is a very athletic team, but we never let them get outside our containment and forced the runs inside. They had too many false starts and needed to clean it up. And when they do, they’ll be very good.”
Moody said he was pleased with the defensive effort against an explosive offense.
“Our defense is our strength,” he said. “We have speed, strength and excellent cover guys. We were extremely dedicated to the weight room in the off-season and it shows. I thought it was a phenomenal game from start to finish.”
The Mepham offensive line, consisting of guards Aidan Donleavy and Brendan Toomey, tackles Dylan Honerkamp and Kevin Perry and center Kieran Roth, did not allow a sack.
They made Novello's debut a very comfortable one.
“On to the next,” Novello said. “We played a very tough MacArthur team that ended our season last year. We play it one game at a time and this one is over. Time to get ready for the next one.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
