Mepham win streak stopped

Riding a five-game unbeaten streak, upstart Mepham faced its biggest test of the season when it welcomed undefeated Carey to town. But the Seahawks proved to be way too much for the young Pirates.

Senior quarterback Kyle Zahradka threw for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and Giuliano Bove scored twice on the ground to lead Carey to a 35-0 rout in Conference II last Saturday. Senior Rob Zorn had nine carries for 79 yards and a score for the Seahawks, who improved to 7-0 and posted their third shutout of the season.

Having last felt the jaws of defeat in a Week 1 loss to defending Long Island champion Garden City, Mepham head coach Anthony Cracco knew his team would have to play an outstanding game to compete with Carey. “We knew we couldn’t afford to fall behind and have to alter our game plan,” Cracco said. “When you play a team like Carey, you can’t turn the ball over and expect to win. We didn’t play as well as we can.”

The Pirates, who fell to 5-2, got the ball first and put together a decent drive, but stalled at Carey’s 39-yard line. It didn’t take the Seahawks long to find the end zone. On the second play from scrimmage, Zahradka hooked up with senior Rob Miotto for a 58-yard score. Miotto caught the ball down the middle of the field, cut to the left, and outraced the secondary for his third score of the season. Steven Marino’s kick made it 7-0

On the first play of Mepham’s ensuing drive, Carey’s John Daddino recovered a fumble at the Pirates’ 28-yard line. Four players later, facing fourth down and a yard to go at Mepham’s 19, Bove sprinted around left end and didn’t stop until he was in the end zone. Marino’s kick made it 14-0. 

Carey, which came into the game outscoring opponents 68-0 in the first quarter, put another one on the board before the opening quarter came to a close. Zahradka found Marino open in the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown pass. The kick was blocked. Marino had three catches for 42 yards on the drive.

Another turnover by Mepham would lead directly to Carey’s next score. Daddino intercepted a pass at midfield, and wasn’t brought down until he reached Mepham’s 16-yard line. Four plays later, Bove scored his second of the day from seven yards out. Zahradka passed to junior Jesse Milonas for the two-point conversation to give the Seahawks a 28-0 lead. 

Cracco is optimistic that the Pirates will learn from the loss. “I expect to rebound from the loss, and continue to get better,” he said. “The boys worked hard to put themselves in a position to play in big games. We’ll shake it off and get ready for next week and the playoffs.”

The Pirates close out the regular season with a trip to Great Neck South this Saturday at 1:30 p.m.