Bethpage runs past Lynbrook

Lynbrook quarterback Zach LoCicero had a big game in Week 2 against Manhasset with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score.

J. Heck/Herald

Bethpage had a relentless ground attack on display at Lynbrook from the game’s opening drive, capped by Yoannis Efsthathiou’s 17-yard touchdown run, and never looked back on the way to a 36-0 Conference III victory on the sun-baked turf last Saturday at Marion Street Elementary School.

The Golden Eagles (2-1) used 13 ball-carriers on the day and finished with 362 yards rushing, led by Efsthathiou’s 137 and two scores, and limited the Owls (1-2) to just 11 offensive snaps in a first half that ended with the visitors ahead by 15. Lynbrook’s best scoring opportunity came early in the fourth quarter when two big plays by senior Eddie Bouhall set up first-and-goal from just inside the 10, but the drive stalled.

“Their linemen and backs are the best part of their team, and they all had a day,” Owls head coach Steve LoCicero said. “That’s a very good football team that could very well be 3-0.

“I still think we’re a good team,” he added. “We just couldn’t get into a rhythm with our offense. It was an issue.”

Quarterback Jake Einbinder added 51 yards and two touchdown runs on seven carries and booted four extra points for Bethpage, which scored at least once in every quarter. “I’m really proud of our kids,” Golden Eagles head coach Erwin Dill said. “That’s a pretty good football team we just beat. They’re probably a little bit bigger than we are, but our offensive line blocked tremendously and I don’t think we could’ve executed better.”

Bethpage, which began its four first-half possessions at its own 41, midfield, and twice inside the Lynbrook 40, was stopped twice by the Owls defensive back Brendan McDougal. On their second drive, the Golden Eagles went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 4 and a hard-charging McDougal met Efsthathiou a few yards short of the end zone. McDougal then picked off an Einbinder pass inside the red zone.

After a dropped pass on third down forced Lynbrook to punt for a third straight possession, Bethpage used eight consecutive running plays to take a 15-0 lead with 1:43 remaining in the half. Einbinder scored from a yard out and tacked on the extra point.