Oceanside sails above .500 mark

Oceanside football is riding a 3-game winning streak, outscoring its last two opponents, 63-0, to move above .500 for the first time in 2022 at 4-3. 

But the Sailors’ work is only beginning. This Friday, Oceanside travels to Freeport for the critical regular-season finale. 

The winner likely gets a home playoff game in Conference 1 as the fourth seed. The loser could slip to as low as seventh.

“It’s a big game – must-win,’’ Oceanside head coach Rob Blount said. “Our kids are excited we have the opportunity to control our destiny. It’s a testament to the conference being wide open.’’ 

Behind the stellar two-way genius of senior Logan Lyson, the Sailors are on a mission.

 Lyson, who plays middle linebacker and tight end at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, missed the first two games after thumb surgery. No coincidence, Oceanside began 0-2.

“Things are starting to click,’’ Lyson said. “We started off the season with a couple of injures and we had young, inexperienced starters who are feeling more comfortable.’’

In last Friday’s 28-0 romp over Valley Stream Central, Lyson notched three solo tackles and another tackle for a loss. He caught 4 balls for 66 yards. “He’s physical presence, flies to the ball and does a lot of great stuff for us,’’ Blount said. 

Lyson, a four-year starter and All-County selection, is headed to Division I Sacred Heart on nearly a full ride – a combo athletic/academic scholarship. 

First he’d like a longer football fall. 

“No doubt in my mind we can make a dent in the playoffs,’’ Lyson said. “We’re getting a lot better as a team.’’  

The question was always going to be finding the proper successor to record-setting quarterback Charlie McKee to keep up the winning tradition. Oceanside has advanced to five Conference 1 championship games in seven seasons. 

Enter freshman quarterback, Shane Harmon, who made 11 of 15 completions for 144 yards versus Valley Steam Central. Running backs Cole Parker (14-109) and Isaiah Spivey (8-95) also shared the load in combining for 204 rushing yards. Parker had a pair of touchdowns.

Earlier in the season, Oceanside’s coaches elected to primarily run a “Wildcat’’ attack - a running back taking the snap. That hokiness has been scaled back and Harmon played the entire game against VSC for the first time. 

 “He’s doing a great job developing,’’ Blount said. “He’s completing more than 60 percent of his balls.  He’s growing up.’’

And the quarter has earned the trust of Lyson, who thinks the program will stand in good hands. “Coaches do a great job developing younger guys coming up,’’ Lyson said. “I think Shane has done a tremendous job starting his first varsity season. Things are going to get better and better as the season goes on and years down the line.”

But the future is now. 

Oceanside comes into the Freeport showdown in fifth place. That can change quickly if the Sailors can’t handle Freeport’s vaunted rushing attack.  They’ll need an opportunistic defense. Safety Brian Kraemer recovered two fumbles last Friday. 

“The first four weeks, we were Jekyll and Hyde,’’ Blount said. “Playing musical chairs, with guys out of the lineup, this is the first time we had same continuity with secondary, up front and linebackers. We’re developing a rhythm.’’