Saturday, November 8, 2025
Whipping winds are almost always a factor for sporting events at Long Beach Middle School and Friday night was no different as an overflow homecoming crowd watched the Marines grind out a 14-7 victory over Calhoun in a Nassau Conference II defensive slugfest.
“It’s great to get a win on homecoming, especially against a team that came in here undefeated,” Long Beach senior linebacker Tim Miller said. “We prepared well and executed in big spots. It was definitely a grind. They’re a blitz-heavy team and it’s hard to throw against that and the wind, but my man Charlie Conway did a great job.”
Conway, the Marines’ senior quarterback, completed 12 of 18 attempts for 123 yards and one touchdown and junior running back Brody Riedel had a combined 165 rushing (113) and receiving yards and a score as they improved to 3-2 while handing the Colts (4-1) their first loss.
“We hit some big screen plays because of how they were pressuring us defensively and we were able to run the ball well with Brody,” Long Beach head coach Scott Martin said. “We felt good up a touchdown at halftime and had a really nice long drive to open the second half. To go up two scores the way the game was unfolding and with the wind was huge.”
Calhoun, which ripped off impressive wins over New Hyde Park, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Roslyn out of the gate, scored its lone touchdown with 6:12 remaining in the fourth quarter but never got the ball back after Long Beach sophomore Jon Hayes recovered the ensuing onside kick.
“I’m not one to talk about morale victories,” Calhoun head coach Nick Rawls said. “The kids go hard every week and tonight was no different. We’d like a few plays back and had some tough penalties, but without a doubt I’d sign up to be 4-1 at this point.”
The Marines struck early in the second quarter and the weather was a factor in some decision-making. With the wind swirling, a 39-yard field goal never crossed Martin’s mind and on 4th-and-15 from the Calhoun 22, Conway connected with junior Brody Juan on a wheel route for a touchdown. It was 7-0 after senior Nick Amantea’s extra point.
Amantea’s ensuing onside kick was recovered by junior Danilo Corea after a monster hit by senior Kanye Ray, but a Colts’ defense that’s allowed an average of 8.5 points per game made sure the turnover wasn’t costly.
The best possession for either offense belonged to Long Beach to start the second half. Juan, Riedel, senior Zack Silva and junior Jaron Burns all caught passes from Conway on a drive that covered 65 yards in 14 plays and ate up more than half of the third quarter. Riedel’s 3-yard touchdown help up as the game-winning score.
Corea and Calhoun junior Michael Teta had takeaways in the fourth quarter. Teta’s fumble recovery set up senior Joe Beibol’s 23-yard touchdown reception. It was senior quarterback Tim Lynch’s ninth touchdown pass of the season.
Both teams have upcoming games sure to alter the standings. The Colts host MacArthur Saturday at 2 p.m., whilst Long Beach travels to East Meadow.
