VSN picks off Manhasset

Valley Stream North’s Joe Kempton flexed as he ran towards the sideline early in the third quarter and was met with a roar from his teammates and North’s fans. Kempton and the Spartans had plenty to be excited about, as the senior’s clutch hands helped lead a 28-20 Conference III win over visiting Manhasset on Oct. 2.

Kempton was celebrating the second of his three interceptions in the contest, each more meaningful than the next. After the game, the senior receiver and defensive back said that his performance came down to timing. “It feels great to win and to be able to help the team win a close one,” Kempton said. “I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time today and I was able to make some big plays for us.”

His first interception came near the end of the first half and offset a fumble from senior running back Brian Carroll, ensuring that the Spartan’s 14-7 lead would be preserved as the two sides entered half time. 

The Spartans had built the lead off the playmaking of senior captain and quarterback Joe Ruscillo, who scored both of their first-half touchdowns, one with his feet, and one with his arm. He would finish with 43 yards rushing and 93 yards passing while completing eight of 15 throws. 

Kempton was able to read Manhasset senior quarterback Tommy Duran to force two more key turnovers in the second half. First came the pick that brought on the flex celebration on the Indians’ second drive of the half, which went on to set up a crucial touchdown drive on the ensuing touchdown. 

The drive covered roughly 60 yards and took up over half of the third quarter as Carroll picked up 57 yards on the ground on his way to a touchdown. The drive was made difficult by an abundance of holding and unsportsmanlike penalties committed by the Spartans.

North head coach Tom Schiavo said the long drive was the turning point, and credited his captain Carroll, who finished the contest with over 250 yards and two touchdowns, with securing the game for the Spartans. “That drive was the key to the rest of the game, it put us up 21-7 and allowed us to take strategic control,” Schiavo said. “Brian did a great job putting us up by two scores on a tough drive and we were able to stay up for the rest of the game.”

Kempton’s final interception came as Manhasset tried to rally for the tie on its final drive, as he stepped in front of Duran’s long pass. The Spartans then ran out the clock.

“The last of the three definitely felt the best,” Kempton said. “Being able to ice the game like that really felt good.”

Schiavo said that it felt great to beat a quality team such as Manhasset. “I know Manhasset is a very good team. I never beat them in Conference IV but now that we’ve moved up to Conference III we were able to beat them,” he said. They’re an awesome team, an awesome tradition and an awesome program.”

North (3-1) travels to Roslyn this Saturday for a 3 p.m. start.