North Shore nips Malverne as time expires

North Shore High’s unbeaten football team is back to the Nassau County Conference IV championship game.

Barely. 

Quarterback Peter Liotta wasn’t going to let them lose. The defending Long Island champion Vikings needed to survive a second-half onslaught from Malverne to eke out a 17-14 thriller Thursday afternoon at Hofstra.

 Tied at 14, Liotta piloted masterfully a long drive in the final two minutes that ended in a game-winning, 31-yard field goal by Michael Fleming as time expired.

The Vikings, who had blown a 14-0 first-half lead, will carry their 10-0 record to Hofstra next Friday to face West Hempstead as they bid for their second straight county championship. 

“It was pretty exciting for us.’’ Liotta said. “The boys really wanted it. We rallied together, came together as one and got the job done.

“It feels amazing,’’ added Liotta, who rushed for 95 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. “We’ve been through this last year and we’re trying to recreate the same thing. It’s a special thing we have going on.’’

The last-second loss left Malverne head coach Kito Lockwood singing his own team’s praises – and Liotta’s.

“Listen, the only thing on the final drive is North Shore had No. 3,’’ Lockwood said of Liotta. “He’s a general. They’re champions for a reason.’’

Lockwood had gathered his Malverne players after the heartbreaker and told them after his club outgained North Shore in total yards: “Don’t hang your heads, you left it out on the field.’’ 

Later, Lockwood said, “We gave our all to the defending Long Island champs. I’m a proud coach. We never gave up. No letdowns and fought to the end. They showed a great deal of character. Forget football. I’m talking young men at a vital point of their lives.’’

It was the end to a fine season for Malverne (6-4) but another championship trophy – or two - may be headed again to the banks of Hempstead Harbor. One more win and the Vikings will try to repeat as Long Island champions against Suffolk County. 

“When you’re up 14-0 and the next thing you know it’s 14-14, you’re on edge,’’ North Shore head coach Dan Agovino said. “But our guys are competitors and don’t quit.

“Give guys like Liotta and (Nick) LaRosa (108 yards) an opportunity with 2:30 left and three timeouts, they’ll give you a chance to win the ballgame. I can’t be prouder of them. They’re reigning champions and played like champions (Thursday).’’ 

After Malverne tied it up on Brandon McLaughlin’s second touchdown run of the day, North Shore began from its 20 after a touchback. 

“We knew we had to make play after play to get down there,’’ Liotta said. “We had to use those timeouts wisely.’’

The key play was a scrambling Liotta completing a rare pass on third-and-6 to Ricky Cook for a first down into Malverne territory. “Ricky came back to the ball and got open for me,’’ Liotta said. “I just threw into him.’’

The Vikings got it down to the 14 for their kicker. “We had Fleming in the bullpen ready to go,’’ Agovino said. “All the trust in the world in him.’’

It is West Hempstead’s turn to derail the Vikings’ maroon express train. “It comes down to tackling,’’ Agovino said. “They’ve got great running backs with their unique formation offense (Double Wing). The big thing is to make a big play on first down and get them out of the offense.’’