Lawrence stung by Plainedge

Davien Kuinlan carried the ball 22 times for 153 yards and a touchdown to lead visiting Plainedge to an impressive 36-20 victory over Lawrence in a Nassau Conference III football game last Saturday. Senior Gianfranco Soriente added 55 yards and a touchdown for the Red Devils, who handed the Golden Tornadoes their first loss since the 2011 Long Island Class III title game.

After Lawrence rallied to get within 14-12 just before the end of the first half, Plainedge took the game over. The Red Devils went 65 yards in eight plays with Kuinlan barreling in from five yards out to increase the lead to 21-12 midway through the third quarter. The sophomore halfback accounted for 59 yards on the ground during the drive.

Plainedge’s defense, which had seven sacks and stifled the Lawrence rushing attack all afternoon, came up big on the ensuing possession and took over on downs. 

The Red Devils put the game away on their next drive. After Plainedge’s Nick Frenger avoided a sack and rushed for a key first down to keep the drive going, the senior quarterback hooked up with Kevin Walker on a 54-yard scoring pass with 1:51 left in the third quarter giving the Red Devils an insurmountable 28-12 lead.

Lawrence head coach Joe Martillotti thought falling behind led to a loss of focus. “Instead of sticking to what they are coached to do, the guys got away from the game plan and tried to do too much on their own,” Martillotti said. “We lost our composure too many times. But it’s better to have this happen in Week 4 as opposed to later in the season. Maybe in the long run this will be a good thing. Maybe it will help us get refocused.”

Lawrence looked to be the more composed team in the early going, as Plainedge dropped passes and played a bit too chippy. A 47-yard pass from Joe Capobianco to Sean Moran, and a 15-yard personal foul, gave the Golden Tornadoes the ball at the Plainedge 15-yard line less than a minute into the game. But, Lawrence was unable to score.

Moran was a bright spot for Lawrence. The junior receiver had seven receptions, including five for first downs, to keep the Golden Tornadoes within striking distance. 

The Red Devils got on the board first when Frenger ran it in from five yards out to give Plainedge a 7-0 lead. A key scramble by Frenger on third and long kept the drive alive. 

Lawrence answered by going 85 yards in 11 plays with Jordan Fredericks scampering in from 10 yards out. The extra point attempt failed. The Golden Tornadoes would never hold the lead.

Martillotti knows his team has to put the loss behind them. “We can be upset for a day, but then we have to move on,” Martillotti said. “We can’t let it spiral. It’s a matter of rebounding and getting ready for next week.”

Lawrence will welcome in Hewlett for its homecoming this Saturday afternoon. Game time is 1:30 p.m.