Michael DeLeo's two TDs help lead Carey upset Wantagh, 33-23
Carey's Michael De Leo leaps into the arms of his teammates Kieran Murchie and Steven Miotto after De Leo returned a kickoff for a touchdown during their Nassau High School Conference II football game against Wantagh at Carey High School Saturday. (Sept. 29, 2012) Credit: Barry Sloan
All season long, Carey head coach Mike Stanley has stressed the importance of "surviving sudden change" to his young team.
With their 33-23 upset win over previously unbeaten Wantagh Saturday, the Seahawks may be the ones causing change at the top of the Nassau II standings.
Michael DeLeo had a rushing touchdown and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score to lead Carey (3-1). Matt Robison had 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, and Ray Catapano added 119 yards on 11 carries.
"These kids have been tested mentally over the past two weeks, and they passed the test," Stanley said. "It's a sign of our guys playing together."
After the Seahawks jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, Wantagh (3-1) finally got on the board in the second quarter when Brandon Watson scored on a nine-yard run. But DeLeo, who was beaten on a jump ball during the scoring drive, immediately responded with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to make it 21-7 and push the momentum back in Carey's favor.
"[DeLeo] was in good position on the jump ball, so when he came to the sidelines I just said, 'That's what you get for being 5-8,' " Stanley said. "He smiled, went back out there, and then returned the kickoff for the touchdown."
Regaining momentum after a mistake seemed to be the order of the day for Carey. After a Ray Catapano fumble at the Wantagh 1 appeared to cost the Seahawks a touchdown, Conor Colasurdo forced a fumble two plays later that was scooped up by Matt Lucito.
The second time was the charm for Carey, as Robison scored on a five-yard run two plays later to make the score 27-14. "Momentum's an attitude," Stanley said, "and our kids understand that."
Nick Conte had two interceptions to lead the defense, and Nick Spillane returned an interception 96 yards for a score to seal the game for Carey.
"When you put some young guys out there in that position, you hope they can step up," Stanley said. "They did it even better today."
