Seaford dominates county finals rematch

Seaford enacted some revenge on Locust Valley in a rematch of last year’s Conference IV title game.

The Vikings dominated the defending county champions in a 35-7 win at Seaford High School last Friday night to improve to 5-0 at the home stretch of the season. 

Eleven months earlier Locust Valley had denied Seaford a chance at its first county crown since 2010 last with a 20-6 win at the Conference IV finals at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium. “The kids who were on last year’s team certainty wanted to seek redemption,” Seaford head coach Rob Perpall head. “It certainly served as a motivator.”

Seaford was paced by senior running back Danny Roell, who rushed for 221 yards and three touchdowns. His 22-yard first quarter touchdown run got the Vikings rolling early en route to a 28-0 halftime lead.

“He is one of the best running backs in the county,” Perpall said of Roell, who entered the week as the leading rusher in Nassau County. “He can motor.”

The Seaford offense was also explosive through the air with senior quarterback A.J. Cain throwing for 155 yards on 4-of-5 passing.  A 40-yard first quarter touchdown pass from Cain to receiver Kevin Murphy gave Seaford a 14-0 lead. The senior signal caller also rushed for 51 yards on the ground.

“He had a masterful game,” Perpall said of Cain. “He does it all.”

Roell’s second touchdown of the day on a five-yard run extended Seaford’s lead to 21-0 in the second quarter. A Nicky Calandra one-yard touchdown made it 28-0 at halftime and Roell capped off his big day with an 18-yard third quarter scoring run.

“We dominated,” Perpall said. “We had a good performance.”

Murphy hauled in three receptions for 110 yards. Senior kicker Josh Pinnoch continued his solid performance on special teams with a perfect 5-for-5 evening on extra points.

Seaford shined defensively keeping Locust Valley off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter when many starters were removed. Junior linebackers Tyler Volpi and Nicky Calandra made their presence known with two sacks and 14 tackles, respectively.

“Our kids came out ready to play,” Perpall said. “They took it to them.”

The Seaford defense has held opponents to single digits in three of five games. Perpall credits defensive coaches Luke Ingram and Mike Wimmer for the stout play.

“They have excelled with preparation,” Perpall said of his defensive coaches. “They have put in great game plans.”

Seaford is next in action this Friday night at home against Carle Place for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Vikings then close the regular season with road games at Mineola and West Hempstead.

Just past the midway point of the season the Vikings are in first place in Conference IV and batting for the top seed in the upcoming playoffs. Perpall said the league is far more balanced than in past years and he expects hard battles the rest of the way.

“It’s a pretty tough league this year,” Perpall said. “Any of these teams can beat us if we don’t play well.”