Garden City stops Wantagh again

When the clock struck zero and post-game handshakes were completed, the reality of another successful season ending in disappointment sunk in with many Wantagh players in tears as they headed toward the bus. 

Wantagh’s quest for its first county title since 2004 was stopped last Friday night in a heartbreaking 14-12 loss to Garden City in a Nassau County Conference II semifinals at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium. It was the fifth straight year Wantagh’s playoff run was ended by Garden City at Hofstra and the Warriors’ 17th loss in a row to the Trojans dating back to 1975.

“They hold up their heads up high but there is no moral victories because they are an outstanding group of kids and a great team,” said an emotional Wantagh head coach Keith Sachs. “They deserve better.”

Second-seeded Garden City continued its hex on Wantagh despite turning the ball over five times. The third-seeded Warriors entered the fourth quarter trailing 14-6 before piecing together a 60-yard 3:27 drive capped off by a seven-yard dash to the end zone from senior fullback Peter Brasile that cut the deficit to 14-12. Wantagh was unable however to tie the game on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt when Garden City pressure forced a Stephen Killard incompletion.

Wantagh’s last attempt at a comeback victory featured Killard bringing the Warriors from their own 8-yard line to near midfield with no timeouts. A 13-yard completion to Corey Sachs gave Wantagh a first down at its 40 before a sack from Garden City defensive lineman Brian Goepfert stalled the drive. 

“They never quit,” said Sachs of the perseverance his team showed against Garden City and during its entire 2013 season that finished up with a 7-3 record.  “They had to overcome a lot of obstacles, injuries and calls and some tough breaks.”

Garden City, which also defeated Wantagh 21-13 on Oct. 19, will now aim for its fifth straight county title when it faces top-seeded Carey this Friday back at Hofstra. The Trojans captured their 2012 championship against Wantagh by ralling from a 17-7 halftime deficit for a 21-17 win. 

Wantagh was led offensively by 91 yards rushing from Brasile on 17 carries in his final high school football game. Senior wide receiver Dan Devine used his 6-6 frame to haul in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Killard that capped off an opening 10-play 73-yard drive and gave Wantagh a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

The difference maker for Garden City was quarterback Brett Stewart, who went 12-22 passing for 176 yards and one touchdown. The Warriors defense did however force one of Long Island's top quarterbacks into three interceptions. 

The game brought a close to the Wantagh football careers of 29 seniors who were part of a group that led the Warriors to back-to-back county title game appearances in 2011 and 2012.

“They are committed, dedicated and unselfish,” said Sachs of his senior class. “They deserved to walk off the field victorious but they should hold their heads up.”