High School Sports

Energy high for Wantagh-MacArthur game

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It was billed as the “Battle of Wantagh Avenue.” Just 1.2 miles separates Wantagh and MacArthur high schools, so when the two schools met last Friday night at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium for the county championship football game, there was much familiarity between the two sides.

“It’s interesting that we live in Wantagh, and we’re rooting against Wantagh,” said Gina Savilli, whose son, Michael, plays for the Generals. That was the reality for many MacArthur families, who have Wantagh addresses, but are on the north side of Jerusalem Avenue, putting them in the Levittown School District.

“It’s a great experience for the boys, two neighboring rivals,” Savilli added.

MacArthur moved to Conference II this year, re-establishing a lost rivalry with Wantagh. The two teams met in the first game of the season with MacArthur coming out on top. Fans on the Wantagh side of the field were hoping their team could avenge that loss, but the Generals prevailed, 28-14.

“It’s a good rematch,” said Irene Tucker, mother of Wantagh’s quarterback, Rob. “This is the best of the best. You’ve got two amazing teams here.”

Jim Kelleher took his son, Jimmy, to the see MacArthur in the Long Island championships when he was 4 years old. Now Jimmy, as quarterback for the Generals, has led them there again. “We’ve come full circle,” Kelleher said as he watched his son from the packed stands last week.

Senior Mike Gino was part of a large contingent of MacArthur students who sat together and wore white to support their team. He said it was a much-hyped game because of the opponent. “It’s the best,” he said. “There’s nothing better. We know all of them. They know all of us. We go to the same places for lunch.”

With a slew of bagel stores, pizzerias and fast-food restaurants in between the two schools, it’s not uncommon for Wantagh and MacArthur students to meet up.

Tommy Cappiello, a junior at MacArthur, watched as his school took on the school his mother once attended. Of course, his rooting interest was clear. “I stick to MacArthur,” he said. “MacArthur’s my home.”

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