Malverne 4-2 after OT loss

Saturday’s 33-32 double-overtime heartbreaker in Seaford notwithstanding, this has been a season of good for Malverne football.   

Malverne beat Clarke for the first time since at least 2009 - when head coach Kito Lockwood took over the program. 

Running back Norman Brown has been a daily workhorse. Quarterback Chad Wesley has flung pinpoint passes as a dual threat. And their behemoth, young offensive line has earned a new nickname in plowing the Mules to a 4-2 Conference IV record with two games left in the regular season. 

Offensive line coach, Rich Mirabito, has named the front five “The Hogs’’ after the gargantuan former unit in Washington of the 1980’s.

“They are the main focal part of our success,’’ Lockwood said. “Brown is productive in our rushing game. Chad is having the success he’s having. But they’re all having the success because of how much better we’ve gotten up front. Those five guys are getting it done.’’

The front-line steamrollers are Jeddidiah Aidelogie, Tristan Brunson, Aaron Munoz, Kevin Estime and left tackle, Joel Onwuamaegbu, the latter being the lone senior of the quintet. 

“They take a great deal of pride,’’ Lockwood said. “We just made T-shirts for them. We only go as far as they take us.’’

All this goodness is why such despair existed after Malverne lost a 21-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter in Seaford. 

In the second overtime, Lockwood went for 2 points and a botched quarterback/running back exchange ensued. The fumble was recovered by Seaford, ending the game. 

Malverne had missed the extra point in the first overtime, partially leading to the coaching call for 2 points. 

“Of course (the PAT miss) gave me doubt, but I was taught on the road you go for the win, at home go for the tie,’’ Lockwood said. “We didn’t give ourselves a chance to win (on the play).’’

Brown had amassed 200 yards on 32 carries vs. Seaford. That put him at 688 yards on 111 carries and 3 touchdowns for the year. The 2021 Honorable Mention All-County selection also has 28 tackles at linebacker. 

But the final fumble will have to be forgotten with powerful West Hempstead on tap Friday before the regular-season finale vs. Cold Spring Harbor Oct. 28th. Both are home games before the Nassau County playoffs. (Malverne lost to eventual Long Island champion North Shore in the 2021 first round).   

 “We’ve got to have a short memory,’’ Lockwood said. “The Seaford game is behind us. Sometimes a loss like the one we experienced (Saturday) can motivate individuals who want to work harder and do better.’’

 The loss snapped a 3-game winning streak that included triumphs over Locust Valley, Valley Stream South and, of course, the big one over Clarke.

“It was very big for the program and for the season,’’ Lockwood said. 

The final count against Clarke was 28-22 win, coming on Wesley’s game-winning 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Williams with 1:54 left. The duo have had a good connection in 2022.

“Mike is a big tall kid and good rout runner,’’ Lockwood said, “and Chad is a pretty accurate quarterback.’’ 

Wesley had been spectacular during the 3-game win streak as runner/passer, keeping defense’s honest in loading up against Brown.

 Wesley has rushed for 319 yards with four touchdowns. He’s passed for 198 yards with four touchdowns. (He’s missed two games because of a shoulder injury).

Wesley’s top receiver is Sylvain Castin, who has 14 catches for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

“We’re going in the right direction,’’ Lockwood said. “(Saturday) was a playoff atmosphere. I believe to have that experience going forward we know what to expect.”