Lawrence off to flying start

If the first two games are any indication, Lawrence is going to be tough to dethrone as Nassau Conference III football champions.

The Golden Tornadoes put on a show last Saturday in front of a standing-room-only Homecoming day crowd, scoring five touchdowns in the second quarter of a 54-6 victory over Lynbrook.

Sophomore Jordan Fredericks had four touchdowns on five touches, giving him nine scores in two games, junior Tyler Fredericks rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and junior quarterback Joey Capobianco threw for 150 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way. The Owls got an 85-yard kickoff return touchdown by senior Matt Fernez.

“It’s been a continuation of the offseason,” Lawrence head coach Joe Martillotti said. “We competed against some of the best high school teams in the country at a tournament in Florida. I think it really boosted the kids’ confidence.”

Lawrence, which kicked off the season with a 62-7 win over Glen Cove, has scored at least 50 points in five of its last six games dating back to 2011. “We’re talented offensively, and we know we’re going to score our share of points,” Martillotti said. “What’s exciting is we’ve been very hard to move the ball against so far. Our starting defensive unit hasn’t allowed a point.”

Sophomore Simon Jones (10 tackles and a forced fumble) and senior John Perrone (seven stops) led the defense against Lynbrook, which came off a 33-6 win over Carle Place.

Jordan Fredericks brought the crowd to its feet on the third offensive snap when he caught a dart from Capobianco over the middle and raced 38 yards to paydirt. On the Golden Tornadoes’ second possession, which came after they snuffed a fake punt to take over on the Owls’ 37, senior John Ganas was on the receiving end of a 33-yard scoring strike from Capobianco that brought a 14-0 lead.

A Lynbrook takeaway halted the next drive in the red zone, but Lawrence was back in the end zone early in the second quarter when Fredericks scored on a 10-yard run. Fredericks capped the half with an explosive 76-yard touchdown dash along the home sideline.

In Week 1, Fredericks had two interception returns for touchdowns, two touchdown runs and a touchdown catch. Older brother Tyler had 173 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

Next up is a trip to Bethpage (1-1) this Friday at 7:15 p.m. The Golden Eagles knocked off Lawrence under the lights last Sept. 16, 37-15. “Bethpage is the one team that pushed us around last year,” Martillotti said. “Our guys remember it.”