East Meadow tops Freeport in thriller

Freeport’s football team rushed the field in celebration last Saturday afternoon, then shortly after watched its opponent do the same.

With the Red Devils leading East Meadow by six, it appeared time had expired before the visiting Jets could spike the ball near Freeport’s goal line to stop the clock. But, after a conference between the referees, the two teams were brought back on the field, and one second was put up on the scoreboard.

On the ensuing play, with East Meadow given a second life, junior fullback Joe Matchekosky drove up the middle behind blockers and reached the end zone. Then sophomore Elver Fuentes nailed the winning extra point attempt to give the Jets a thrilling 41-40 Conference I victory.

Matchekosky normally serves as East Meadow’s backup fullback, but was more than ready when he was called upon for the final play. “I was just doing what I’m told.” he said. “Ground and pound, run the ball as hard as I can.”

Jets’ junior quarterback Anthony LaRosa, who threw for three touchdowns and 140 yards, said he was very confident when told to hand the ball off to Matchekosky. “He’s a great fullback, and kept moving his feet,” LaRosa said. “Our lineman gave us a push and we got it in there.”

While there were several heroes for East Meadow, it was Red Devils’ junior quarterback Rashad Tucker who stood out as the game’s star. He had three rushing touchdowns and passed for two scores.

“He had a tremendous day,” Freeport head coach Russ Cellan said of Tucker. “He made plays when he had to and was a real field general.”

East Meadow head coach Vinny Mascia admitted controlling Tucker’s speed was a difficult task. “He was like superman,” he said. “He’s a nightmare to match up against.”

Tucker seemed superhuman early on in the game, throwing and running for two touchdowns before halftime. East Meadow was able to stay within striking distance thanks to two first-half passing touchdowns from LaRosa.

In the third quarter, senior running back Tom Provenzano reached the end zone for the Jets on a 13-yard rush, than again on a 29-yard pass reception from LaRosa, to give East Meadow a 28-27 lead. But, before the end of the third, a 23-yard rushing strike from Tucker put the Red Devils back on top.

With 8:43 left in the fourth, Matchekosky ran 78 yards for a touchdown, giving the Jets a 34-33 advantage. Freeport fired back, with junior running back Jared Wray delivering a rushing touchdown with 4:38 remaining. William Presbrey’s extra point made it 40-34.

Needing a score, East Meadow responded with a 65-yard drive, which ended with a game-winning touchdown. Key to the drive was a 32-yard run from LaRosa, on a fourth-and-1, which set the Jets up at the Red Devils’ 4-yard line with 30 seconds remaining.  

Later in the drive came the controversial call involving the clock, which Mascia says was the correct decision. “I honestly believe that was done right, because when that ball hit the ground, there was two seconds on that clock,” he said.

Both teams stand at 3-2. 

“This is huge for the playoffs and for morale,” Matchekosky said. “We’re nice and juiced now, and just need to keep it rolling.”