Lynbrook suffers first defeat of 2010

The Fredericks brothers played a little catch on Saturday to help Lawrence to a thrilling 23-22 Homecoming Day victory over previously undefeated Lynbrook in a rematch of last year’s Nassau Conference III championship game.

Sophomore Tyler Fredericks took a lateral from older brother Ryan off a bubble-option pass and raced 70 yards for touchdown midway through the second quarter to put the defending county champion Golden Tornadoes (5-2) ahead for good, 20-14. A third-quarter field goal by senior Marcos Pinto from 35 yards out proved to be the difference.

“Every week is a challenge,” Tyler Fredericks said. “After we lost to Hewlett and Plainedge, everyone thought we were done. We wanted to come out here today and show everyone we’re still here.”

The Owls (6-1) got within a point with 3:53 remaining on senior Mike Kozlakowski’s 2-yard touchdown run and senior quarterback Paul Magliore’s two-point conversion, but Lawrence’s offense burned all but the last 10 seconds off the clock. Ryan Fredericks, a junior, rushed for 52 of his 130 yards on the last possession.

“We finally played like a No. 1 seed,” Golden Tornadoes coach Joe Martillotti said. “It’s a big win for a lot of reasons. It’s good that we sealed a home playoff game.”

Lynbrook, one of five undefeated teams in the county heading into Week 7, was held to its season low point total. Senior Travis Locke rushed for 166 yards, while Magliore had rushing and passing touchdowns.

“Hats off to them,” Owls coach Steve LoCicero said. “They played a strong game and I don’t think we played up to our potential. I told our kids all we lost was a chance for an undefeated season. Everything else is still alive.”

For a second straight year, some late-season lineup adjustments appear to be paying off for Lawrence. In an effort to keep players fresh, the coaching staff went to a 3-5-3 defensive scheme and called on a few extra bodies prior to the Week 6 game at Manhasset. “Some of our big guys were wearing down late in games,” Martillotti said. “Something had to change.”