Calhoun pushes past Kennedy

Calhoun’s game plan is to pound out yardage on the ground and methodically move the chains behind a collection of runners that includes seniors Anthony Fusco and Thomas Fitzsimmons and junior Danny Tack.

But on the occasions where quarterback Anthony Fitzsimmons kept his hands on the ball lately, the chains have needed to be reset, not just moved down the field. The senior racked up 186 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 53 and 38 yards on consecutive carries in the first quarter of the Colts 31-0 victory over Kennedy in a Conference II game on Oct. 2.

“When they execute, that’s exactly the way it’s supposed to look,” Calhoun head coach Brian Moeller said. “Our offensive line did a fantastic job. When they follow their assignments and execute, they give the running backs [and quarterback] a chance to make plays.”

The Colts improved to 2-2 with their second straight win, while the Cougars dropped to 1-3. “They physically beat us up,” Kennedy head coach Tom Durnin said. “They were physically pushing us around in the first half.”

Fitzsimmons’ third touchdown of the day, a 12-yard run late in the first half, capped a quick four-play, 33-yard drive that included a pass interference penalty on Kennedy in the end zone. Fusco moved the chains with a 4-yard run, while Tack added another yard on second down before Fitzsimmons plowed his way into the end zone. “I think we’re getting more confident,” Fitzsimmons said of learning the new offense. “Those first two games we eased our way into it.”

Following the blocks of junior Willie Teves, senior Cristian Pineda, senior Dan Tripiccione and junior Christian Martinelli, Fitzsimmons had 151 yards in the first two quarters, while Tack and Fusco and Thomas Fitzsimmons pounded out 44 yards between them. Fusco put the Colts up by three scores with an 8-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that capped an 8-play, 60-yard drive. 

As strong as the Calhoun offensive line was, so too was its defensive front, led by senior co-captain Jensen Rosemond, Thomas Fitzsimmons, senior Jason Lemonus and senior Nick Buccio. “Our defensive coach does a very nice job preparing the kids,” Moeller said. 

Kennedy had a pair of turnovers, including one fumble recovered by Rosemond midway through the second quarter when the Cougars appeared to be picking up a head of steam. Senior Matt Tenenbaum (27 rushing yards) had a pair of runs for eight yards with quarterback junior Nico Racalbuto adding another for two, before his fumble on the sixth play of the drive was scooped up by Rosemond.

In Week 5 action this Saturday at 3 p.m., Kennedy is at Jericho, while the Colts look to keep their winning streak alive on the road at Great Neck South. Prior to the matchup with Calhoun, the Cougars defeated Great Neck South, 36-14 on Sept. 27, with Tenenbaum piling up 122 yards and a touchdown. Racalbuto threw a touchdown pass to sophomore Jack Jones in the win, while senior Jesse Lopalo had a touchdown run and a touchdown pass.