Calhoun picks off Kennedy

Despite forcing a combined eight turnovers in Weeks 2 and 3, Calhoun was unable to knock off Conference II football rivals Mepham and Carey.

Last Thursday afternoon, the Colts’ defense provided more dynamics with four interceptions leading to 17 points and paving the way to a 38-21 home victory over neighboring rival Kennedy. Junior Tom Casimano returned the first pickoff for a touchdown, junior Ariel DeJesus ran for two scores, and junior kicker Alex Sipos went 5-for-5 on extra points and booted a 27-yard field goal. Both teams stand at 2-2.

“The kids have done a great job of putting tough losses behind them and brought a lot of energy today,” Calhoun head coach Brian Moeller said. “We try to be relentless on defense. We turned Mepham over six times and Carey twice. Coach [Joe] Migliano has the unit playing at a high level.”

The Cougars, who entered the game with no turnovers in 12 quarters, also hurt themselves in the penalty department with 100 yards worth of flags. Junior Jake Fuller opened and closed the scoring on the day with touchdown receptions.

“It was a tremendous atmosphere and I thought the fight in our guys was there, but there’s no excuse for the personal fouls,” Kennedy head coach Tom Durnin said. “I thought we outplayed them in the first half. Turnovers have been the story of Calhoun’s season so far. We felt if we didn’t turn the ball over, we’d be fine.”

Kennedy senior Jason Coules recovered a fumble on the first snap of the game at its 42, however its opening possession stalled at the Calhoun 27. But the next time the Cougars got the ball, they cashed in. Junior quarterback Matt Jones hit Fuller in stride for a 39-yard gain to set up their 7-yard touchdown connection on the following play. Senior Richard Draude’s acrobatic catch on the two-point conversion made it 8-0 midway through the first quarter.

The Colts answered with a 12-play scoring drive, aided by three penalties, and were within 8-7 after DeJesus’ first touchdown. On the ensuing possession, the turnover parade started on Kennedy’s first snap when Casimano picked off Jones and raced untouched into the end zone for Calhoun’s second score in 17 seconds and it led 14-8.

“Casimano is a dynamic player who’s really aggressive on defense,” Moeller said. “His touchdown sparked us.”

Kennedy, which had big wins over Sewanhaka and Great Neck out of the gate, came right back to take a 15-14 lead. The Cougars marched 80 yards, most of it on the legs of junior Jordan Pitti who fittingly capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown.

“I liked the way we responded to giving up two quick touchdowns,” Durnin said.

However, Calhoun would score 24 straight points and held a commanding 38-14 lead entering the fourth quarter. Seniors Vincent Wilson, Chris Marrapodi and Joseph Ponzio had second-half interceptions, and the big offensive play — a 60-yard touchdown pass from Nicholas Turrini to junior Keith Rosales — came with 4:30 left in the third and made it 31-15.