Lawrence Football Opens Season With Dominating Win Over Manhasset

A Lawrence football team seeking redemption for its loss at the hands of Lynbrook in the 2010 Nassau County finals took on Manhasset in its season opener on Saturday and came out with a dominant 35-0 win over the overmatched Indians behind 492 yards of total offense.

“We had about three key guys from the offensive line sitting out today that should make a key difference, but we still have a lot of work to do as we push forward,” said Lawrence head coach Joe Martilotti. “The defense shut down Manhasset, who did not move the ball for the entire game.”

The story on the offensive side of the ball was the Fredericks trio in the backfield, as Martilotti and the Golden Tornadoes hope will be the answer in 2011. Senior Ryan Fredericks led the way with 170 yards on 21 attempts and four touchdowns. Junior Tyler Fredericks collected 119 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. Jordan Fredericks, the lone freshman on the team, contributed with 67 yards. 

On the opposite side of the ball, the Manhasset offense struggled to find any answers against a Lawrence defense that returned seven starters from last season. All-State linebacker Chris Hercules led the way with 14 tackles and two sacks as Lawrence did not allow a first down until the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Kenny Perez added eight tackles and a sack and Jake Bernstein had five tackles and a sack.

Tyler Fredericks opened up the scoring with a 50-yard dash to the end zone on Lawrence’s first possession to lead 7-0.

Ryan Fredericks helped build the lead with an 11-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. After a quick defensive stint, Lawrence extended the lead to 21-0 on the eldest Fredericks's second touchdown, a 10-yard run.

The senior also got the job done on special teams as he returned a punt down to the Manhasset 20-yard line, setting up a six-yard run for his third score of the game. On the previous play, receiver Eddie Robinson, who finished with three receptions for 68 yards, fumbled the ball into the end zone. However, Lawrence was able to regain possession after recovering the loose ball.

In the start of the third, Tyler Fredericks burst out for a long punt return down to the Manhasset 23-yard line. His older brother capped the scoring with an 8-yard score in the closing minutes of the quarter.

Sophomore quarterback Joey Capobianco went 4-for-9 for 79 yards in the win. Kicker Mike Fragner went a perfect 5-for-5 on extra point attempts as well.

“We are deep in the backfield, at receiver, so overall, our guys were good enough to make some plays,” Martilotti added.

Lawrence will play a second home game on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m. against Bethpage (1-0), who defeated Roslyn 44-14 in the team's first road game.