East Rockaway advances in playoffs

For the first time in a decade, East Rockaway is going to Hofstra for the Nassau County football semifinals.

Senior quarterback Andrew Bashford hooked up twice with Mike Castellano on pass plays during the crucial third quarter drive as the third-seeded Rocks knocked off visiting Floral Park, 26-13, last Saturday in a Conference IV first-round playoff game. Castellano, who rushed for 70 yards on 20 carries, finished the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run.

East Rockaway advanced to the semifinals and will take on No. 2 Roosevelt at Hofstra this Saturday at 4 p.m.

Head coach Russ Pajer was proud of the team’s defensive effort. “Other than a couple of breakdowns, the defense came up big all day,” Pajer said. “We put tremendous pressure on the quarterback, and pretty much shut down their best running back. We played well in all aspects of the game.”

The Rocks received the opening kickoff and didn’t take long to get in the end zone. After three caries by Castellano netted 16 yards, the Rocks used a bit of deception to get on the scoreboard. Bashford brilliantly created the illusion of a pass play, while junior fullback Anthony Tesoriero (14 carries for 117 yards) took the ball off left tackle and went 63 yards untouched to put the Rocks up 6-0. The extra-point try failed.

The Knights got on the board when quarterback Casey Giarrantana hit a wide-open Chris Jimenez from three yards out. Jimenez split the uprights to give Floral Park a 7-6 lead with 8:20 to go in the opening half.

The Rocks answered with a long drive that was capped off by Tesoriero’s second score of the day from nine yards out. East Rockaway held a 12-7 lead at the half. The Knights took a 13-12 lead when Jimenez got behind the defense for a 28-yard touchdown reception with 8:20 left in the third quarter. 

The ensuing drive had a little of everything, including an unfortunate call by the men in stripes. Castellano appeared to go 63 yards for a touchdown, but an official prematurely blew the play dead.

Facing fourth-and-six from their own 42-yard line, the Rocks gambled and it paid off. Bashford threw a perfect pass to Castellano along the right sideline for 23 yards and a first down. After an outstanding catch by Castellano brought East Rockaway to the three, the senior running back bulled in from a yard out. Junior Nick Massari (77 yards) iced the game with a 27-yard run in the fourth quarter.

East Rockaway’s defense held All-County running back Ronell Jones to just 68 yards. Junior Mikey Lores (three) and senior Jamie Parzych combined for five sacks for the Rocks. Senior Tom Gagliardi forced Giarrantana out of the pocket numerous times. 

Pajer is looking forward to another shot at Roosevelt. The Rough Riders beat the Rocks 36-24 during the regular season. “We’re going to have to move the ball on the ground, and try to contain Donte Colter,” he said. “He’s one of the best back on Long Island. We’re up for the challenge.”