by Jerry Burke
Ehikioya collected 343 yards on 32 touches and scored three touchdowns, including two in the second half, for the now 4-1 Rams. Thanks to a last-second end zone deflection on forth and goal by cornerback Elvis Lewis, the Rams edged out Plainedge 19-14 after trailing 14-7 at the half.
West Hempstead heads into this Saturday's 7 p.m. home match-up against Lynbrook (4-1) with Thorpe Award candidate Ehikioya leading the way. After rushing for 1,240 yards last year, Ehikioya has taken his game to the next level, rushing for 1,169 yards and 15 touchdowns in just over half a season. "He is such a good kid," said head coach Tom Riordan. "He carries the team on his shoulders."
Meanwhile, the Elmont Memorial Spartans (2-2) avenged last week's disappointing homecoming loss against Lawrence by coming back against Westbury 28-21. The huge road win was made possible by Dominick Dixon's brilliant 60-yard punt return in the forth quarter with the Spartans trailing by one. The score, followed by quarterback George Santiago's key two-point conversion pass to Dixon, put the Spartans up for good after trailing at the half 21-14.
Elmont's defense, led by the 11 tackles for both Deron Minor and Jamal Barnesm, held Westbury scoreless in the second half. Senior Victor Onuorah's interception of Westbury quarterback Andre Murray deep in Elmont territory eventually led to senior tailback Andre Forbes' 39-TD run with five minutes left on the clock.
The Spartans look to go over .500 against district rival Carey Seahawks next week in Franklin Square. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m.
The Seahawks (2-2) look to rebound from Saturday's fourth quarter home loss to Lawrence (4-1). Quarterback Tom Daddino's two first-half touchdowns paved the way for 17-12 halftime lead, but a 20-yard sideline scramble by Lawrence's Calvin Thompson put the Golden Tornadoes up to stay. Carey was denied a field goal with 3:30 left on the clock thanks to a Lawrence block.
The Sewanhaka Indians also took a close one on the chin Saturday, losing to the Lynbrook Owls 21-13. Greg Steward's touchdown run, preceded by a 73 yard gain, cut Lynbrook's lead to 14-13, but the Owls responded soon after. The Indians (2-2-1) host Wantagh this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Vincent Del Maestro lived up to his name for Valley Stream North Saturday, catching three passes for touchdowns in the first half as the Spartans steamrolled visiting Oyster Bay 41-13. After an Oyster Bay TD in the first, VSN scored 35 straight unanswered points, including four scoring passes from quarterback Jake Tauber. The Spartans travel to Locust Valley this Saturday for a 2 p.m. match.
