Big plays lift Hewlett over VSS

Despite just 10 offensive snaps in the first half of last Saturday’s Homecoming football game, Hewlett built a 20-point lead and never looked back on the way to a 47-12 victory over Conference III rival Valley Stream South.

Junior Tredd Smith didn’t touch the ball on offense but scored twice to spark the Bulldogs (1-1), who forced four turnovers and registered four sacks. He blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game, then had a sack and fumble recovery for a touchdown with 1:22 to go in the half. In between Smith’s big plays, junior quarterback Jeff Rizzo raced untouched 63 yards for a score.

“We’re still a work in progress, but to go from seven points last week to 47 this week is something to feel good about,” Hewlett head coach Jay Iaquinta said. “They moved the ball pretty well against us in the first half, but we raised our game in the second half.”

The Falcons (0-2), who twice drove from their own 20 into the red zone in the first half, got second-half touchdown runs from senior Neil Plinto (103 yards) and junior quarterback Stewfan James. “We did some nice things offensively, but we hurt ourselves with turnovers we don’t usually commit,” VSS assistant coach Joe Gustafeste said. “The first half was frustrating because we had the ball most of the time. We moved down the field and controlled the clock, but we were unable to finish drives.”

James, who played every skill position at the JV level last season, led the offense deep into Hewlett territory on its second possession with a 28-yard pass to junior Tahj Wilson and a couple of scrambles totaling 10 yards. On third-and-10 from the 14, James was sacked by Bulldogs junior Stefan Antoine for an 11-yard loss setting up a fourth-and-long. Out of field-goal range, the Falcons kept their offense on the field and nearly hit paydirt when James’ pass to senior Jesse Blouin at the goal line fell incomplete.