Experience paid off for a veteran East Meadow team as they started the season off with a 42-24 win over Massapequa Saturday.
The Jets running game took control of the game on the ground, as Senior Robbie Healy lead East Meadow with 137 yards rushing and a touchdown. Sophomore Billy Andrle scored two touchdowns, including a 57-yard run. Jets quarterback Dylan Curry also contributed two rushing touchdowns himself.
Turning Point
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In the closing minutes of the second quarter and the Chiefs down only 20-10, Massapequa began a two minute drill that saw them get into Jet territory. Jets defensive back Marvin Cajoles then intercepted Matt Pagano for a 54-yard touchdown return.
Heroes
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The Jets defense stepped up big with a goal line stand early in the game to hold Massapequa to a field goal and then two big interceptions to lock up the game early for East Meadow and allow their running game to take over.
Quotable
“Our defense started off a little bit slow but then came up with some huge plays,” East Meadow Coach Vincent Mascia said. “Sophomore Chris Green did a great putting pressure on their offense all game”
Bottom Line
Massapequa is a young up and coming team that went up against a much more experienced East Meadow team and it showed on both sides of the ball.
“We are a young team with a lot of first year starters,” Chiefs Coach Kevin Shippos said. “We made mistakes but the guys tried their hardest and that’s all I can ask of them."
Team captain and Junior Vassili Grigorakos echoed his coaches sentiments on the youth and inexperience of the team.
“We had a lot of little mistakes on offense and defense, we just have to work on that and get better and grow together as a team,” Grigorakos said.
Grigorakos also had the biggest play for the Chiefs, earning his Captain title with a 72-yard touchdown run.
The Jets, on the other hand, came into this season with key players returning such as Healy and Curry. East Meadow is looking to take the next step this year after losing in the first round of the playoffs the past two years.
What's Next: Massapequa at Central HS, Sept. 17 1:30 p.m.
