Nick Spillane's three TDs, offensive line lead Carey over Garden City
The long of it was a game-breaking 73-yard touchdown pass from Mike Catanese to Mike DeLeo.
The short of it was touchdown runs of 2, 5 and 1 yard by wildcat specialist Nick Spillane.
But the heart of it for unbeaten, defending county and Long Island champion Carey was its veteran offensive line, which controlled the game from the first play from scrimmage and was the key factor in the Seahawks' 26-0 victory over Garden City Saturday in front of an overflow crowd in Franklin Square.
"The strongest point of this team is the guys up front," said DeLeo, who also rushed for 72 yards as Carey improved to 6-0 in Nassau II and extended its winning streak to 18 games. Garden City fell to 5-1 and was shut out by Carey for the second consecutive year in the regular season.
"It's the best part of our team," said Conor Colasurdo, who rushed for 41 yards on six carries and also made two key defensive plays at middle linebacker.
Catanese, who only had to throw six passes, gained 10 yards on a run up the middle on the game's first offensive play, a bit of foreshadowing as he rambled for 92 yards on 10 carries, all between the tackles.
So, let's introduce the guys who comprise Carey's Fab Five: tackle Jorge Cerquera (6-4, 225), guard Joe Randazzo (6-4, 230), center Bob Kelly (5-11, 215), guard Gabe Alejo (5-10, 270) and tackle Anthony Catapano (6-2, 280).
"They're big and they're physical," Carey coach Mike Stanley said of the quintet that features four returning starters from last season's 12-0 Rutgers Cup-winning squad. The only newcomer is Randazzo. "They're all one-way players and we felt they would be a strength of this team, especially with multiple guys who can carry the ball."
The Seahawks used those carriers midway through the first quarter to march 64 yards in 11 plays, capped by Spillane's 2-yard burst on a direct snap. Then, after forcing another punt, Colasurdo carried four times for 32 yards to set up Spillane's 5-yard dart up the middle.
Yet another three-and-out followed and on third-and-11, DeLeo got behind the secondary for a 73-yard game-breaking touchdown down the left sideline that made it 19-0 in the second quarter. "I thought they'd be in man coverage," Stanley said. "It's hard to get big plays on Garden City so to get one there was huge."
Garden City twice had chances to make it a game. The Trojans moved from their 23 to the Carey 19 late in the first half. But on fourth-and-14, Colasurdo stepped in for an interception at the 8. "I didn't think they'd be running there so I dropped back. The pass rush was good and he threw it right to me."
It was still 19-0 in the third quarter when Garden City drove from its 34 to the Carey 21. But on fourth-and-1, Colasurdo stood up Brian Haeffner and was joined by a flock of Seahawks. No gain GC; big gain Carey.
"When our defense gets backed up, we like it. We like a challenge," Colasurdo said. "Our D-line penetrated, I hit him and then it was a gang tackle. We shut him down and shut them out."
Good line, kid, but not the best line of the day.