Daily Sports Digest: Sept. 30 - Saturday Football Preview

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Kennedy

Great Neck South (0-3) @ Kennedy (0-3), Sat., 3 p.m.

Both teams have experienced their struggles in the early weeks of the season. GNS has proven to expose a vulnerable defense, giving up 12 total touchdowns, seven rushing and five passing, in three games. For the Cougars or visiting Rebels, one team will get their first victory this weekend.

Mepham

Mepham (3-0) @ Wantagh (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

Mepham has gotten off to the start they hoped for, including an upset of preseason number one Carey on the road. Led by quarterback A.J. Heller and running back Kevin Tauriello, the Pirates figure to have a true test against the Warriors, whose lone loss was to Garden City, also undefeated. 

Clarke

Seaford (1-2) @ Clarke (1-2), Sat., 3 p.m.

Clarke is coming off of a dramatic comeback victory over Island Trees last week. The Rams will look to take advantage against a struggling Vikings team, who has lost their last two. Quarterback Michael Martiello, who has 10 total touchdowns (5 pass, 5 rush) will look to lead the offense once again, this time against a tough Seaford defense. 

East Meadow

East Meadow (3-0) @ Uniondale (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

The Jets are tied atop the Conference I standings and for good reason. The team has outscored opponents 152-31 in just three games, including a 61-7 win over VSC and 49-0 over Farmingdale. East Meadow is led by Robbie Healy (6 TD) on offense, who face a Uniondale team on a two-game win streak.

Hewlett

Hewlett (2-1) @ Sewanhaka (1-2), Sat., 3 p.m.

Hewlett let one slip away last week against Lawrence, but look for the Bulldogs to rebound on the road at Sewanhaka. They provide a strong rushing attack, led by quarterback Mark Rizzo and Sam Mortorella. Sewanhaka gave up a late lead to Glen Cove in Week 3 and figure to have another tough test with Hewlett this weekend.

Lawrence

Lawrence (2-1) @ Glen Cove (1-2), Sat., 5 p.m.

Lawrence will run early and often against a Glen Cove team, who have allowed 100 yard rushers in each game this season. The Fredericks trio along with quarterback Joey Capobianco lead the Golden Tornadoes, who completed a second half comeback against Hewlett last week.

Garden City (3-0) @ Long Beach (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

The Trojans are right there with the best in the county this year, behind backs Patric Berkery and Mark Ellis, who have combined for eight total scores in three games. The defense is on par with the offense as well, as Garden City has outscored opponents 117-3. The Marines will have to stop this high-powered offense early in order to stay in the hunt. 

Valley Stream North (2-1) @ Malverne (1-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

Malverne is coming off of a 29-point loss last weekend against first-place Locust Valley. They look to rebound against a talented VSN offense, who has scored at least 38 points in each game this season. Malique Merchant and Aaron Hill will lead the team on offense in the backfield. 

Elmont (2-1) @ Calhoun (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

Calhoun has been surprising on offense this year after being shut out in their season opener at Wantagh. Quarterback Matt Brennan and the Colts look to throw the ball, but the Elmont defense may provide a challenge on Saturday. The Spartans have won twice by a shut out this season.

Roosevelt (3-0) @ Mineola (1-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

Mineola will have their hands full against undefeated Roosevelt this weekend, who boasts one of the County’s top running backs in Erin Parker (700 yards rushing, 8 TD). Rob Clarklin and Brian Gaffney look to lead the Mustangs in a game hosted at Hampton Stadium.

Division

Division (2-1) @ South Side (1-2), Sat., 3 p.m.

Aside from a loss to defending LI champion Lynbrook last weekend, Division gave up just 13 points in a win over GNN and none at home against Glen Cove. Joe Vanasco leads the rushing attack with five touchdowns so far this season against a struggling South Side team.

Island Trees

Locust Valley (3-0) @ Island Trees (1-2), Sat., 7 p.m.

Island Trees lost in the final minute last week and will try to avenge against visiting Locust Valley, who have outscored opponents 74-24 this season. Running back Mike Jeannetti, who has scored five total touchdowns and doubles as the team kicker, will look to lead the offense to a win on Saturday.

MacArthur

Hempstead (0-3) @ MacArthur (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

MacArthur has just one loss this season against defending LI champion Freeport, and have the momentum after a last second field goal to defeat Syosset last weekend. The Generals will be led by Gerard Cunningham and Will Cheshire on offense against winless Hempstead.

Garden City (3-0) @ Long Beach (2-1), Sat. 3 p.m.

Aside from an opening week loss to Elmont, the Marines have taken care of business against GNS and Kennedy. This weekend, Long Beach will have a much tougher test in Garden City. They need quarterback Tom Rowley (four TD) to spread the Trojans’ defense and put up points early.

Lynbrook (3-0) @ Floral Park (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

Lynbrook has not missed a step this season despite graduating 38 seniors from last years team. Luke Spitzer and Rocco Scibelli will lead an always potent run game for the Owls against Floral Park. Matt Trotta has been having a All-County caliber season at linebacker and looks to limit chances on the defensive side.

Division (2-1) @ South Side (1-2), Sat., 3 p.m.

The Cyclones edged out GNN last weekend after dropping their first two games of the season. Eric Willie, who rushed for 244 yards in their first win, will look to do more of the same against a tough Division defense on Saturday.

Seaford (1-2) @ Clarke (1-2), Sat., 3 p.m.

The defending County champions have been experiencing some growing pains in 2011, losing two of their first three. With playoff hopes still very much alive, Seaford will look to beat Clarke on the defensive side in what could figure to be a low-scoring affair. The offense is led largely by running backs Joe Richards and Frank Fischetti. 

Mepham (3-0) @ Wantagh (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

Wantagh took down Carle Place/Wheatley in the rain last week, controlling their run game from the start. They hope to do the same against a talented Mepham team in a match-up against some of the best in Conference II. The Warriors will look to stymie the Pirates attack behind Shaun Charkowick and Cody Cornacchio on defense. 

West Hempstead (3-0) @ East Rockaway (2-1), Sat., 3 p.m.

West Hempstead is on a role so far in 2011, due largely in part to Tayvon Hall and Justin Boatwright on the offensive side. They recently topped preseason number one seed Seaford on the road. East Rockaway lost to undefeated Roosevelt on Sept. 17, who stands atop Conference IV with the Rams.