VSN, VSS win playoff games

Valley Stream North’s and South’s football teams, seeded fourth in the Nassau Conference IV and III playoffs, respectively, both advanced to the semifinals at Hofstra with impressive victories last Saturday.

North had the offense firing on all cylinders and beat No. 5 Locust Valley, 61-40, in a game that featured 15 touchdowns. Running back Billy Patsos had five of them, including an 18-yard jaunt late in the third quarter that broke a tie at 33. He finished with 285 yards on 25 carries and had additional touchdown runs of 3, 3, 62, and 1 yards.

The Spartans (6-3), who got 179 yards passing and two touchdowns from senior quarterback Anthony Martelli, built a 33-15 halftime cushion that was erased in the third quarter by the Falcons thanks to touchdown runs by Louie Jokinsky and Matt Vezza. But Patsos regained the lead for the hosts, who added three more touchdowns in the fourth.

James Capoziello and Dylan Heitner caught scoring tosses for North, which advanced to face No. 1 Seaford next Saturday at Hofstra at 4 p.m.

South (6-3) upped its winning streak to five games and continued to flex its defensive muscle with a 26-13 victory over No. 5 Manhasset.

The Falcons seized momentum in the third quarter when the Indians were knocking on the door and looking to erase a seven-point deficit. Frank Reichert picked off a pass at the 2-yard line, and South took a 13-0 lead on the next snap when Frank Accardi rumbled 98 yards for a touchdown.

John Reichert and Accardi (213 yards rushing) added touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Falcons advanced to meet No. 1 Lawrence next Friday at Hofstra at 4 p.m. Phil Crisci had nine tackles to lead a red-hot defense.