Rams run through Mules

Coming off a subpar performance in Week 7, West Hempstead returned to the win column behind a punishing ground attack that paved the way to a 48-14 rout of visiting Malverne last Saturday in the Conference IV regular-season finale.

The Rams (5-3) opened the game with a 97-yard touchdown drive and never looked back in securing their third victory in four weeks. Seniors Noel Beaubrun and Thomas Cannisi, and sophomore Anthony Galan combined for 323 yards rushing and scored twice apiece, while senior Vincent Messina led the defensive effort and booted six of seven extra points.

“We didn’t play well last week against Clarke, so it was nice to turn things around,” West Hempstead head coach Dom Carre said. “Their defenders were trying to beat us to the edge, but we executed well and our backs ran hard.”

Beaubrun rushed for 145 yards on only eight carries, Cannisi rumbled for 110 yards on 13 attempts, and Galan, a recent JV call-up, had 68 yards on seven carries. Malverne (2-6) got a touchdown reception from junior Maurice Teachey Jr. and a touchdown run from senior Alonza Hopkins.

“We’ve always respected what West Hempstead does up front,” Mules head coach Kito Lockwood said. “If you don’t control them at the line, you’re in trouble. Physically, they were clearly the better team today.”

The loss capped a difficult week for Malverne, which had its upset win over Seaford on Oct. 24 overturned due to the use of an ineligible player. Still, despite the forfeit and the loss to the Rams, the Mules managed to sneak into the playoffs when three other results last Saturday helped their cause. “The kids didn’t let the forfeit hurt their morale,” Lockwood said. “We received a lot of help to get in, but we’re in. This year has been a giant rollercoaster.”

A long run by Galan and senior quarterback Ryan Sandberg’s big completion to Beaubrun on the opening drive set up Cannisi’s 1-yard touchdown run. Malverne reached midfield on its opening drive but was forced to punt. West Hempstead junior Elvin Argueta blocked it, and three plays later Beaubrun ran 21 yards for a touchdown and the Rams led 14-0. 

The hosts then scored twice in a span of 93 seconds to double their lead to 28-0. West Hempstead needed only two plays to go 74 yards — a 47-yard run by Cannisi followed by Beaubrun’s 27-yard touchdown with 40 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Then, after senior Michael Staines recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Cannisi raced 25 yards for a score just 53 seconds into the second quarter.

Teachey Jr.’s 6-yard touchdown grab with four seconds left in the half got the Mules on the board. He had a hand in all five Malverne touchdowns in the forfeit game. “Whenever he gets his hands on the ball, he’s dangerous,” Lockwood said.

West Hempstead, seeded No. 5, travels to fourth-seeded East Rockaway in a first-round playoff game this Friday at 2 p.m. Malverne hits the road to face No. 1 Locust Valley on Saturday.