By TONY BELLISSIMO
The Seahawks allowed the Bulldogs to score on four straight possessions in the first half and gave up a punt-return touchdown early in the third quarter en route to slipping to 0-2 under first-year coach Mike Stanley.
"This loss puts our backs to the wall and makes the next one even more important," Stanley said. "Our defense had trouble tackling all day and we allowed two big returns on special teams. You can't do that against a team like Hewlett."
Eight of the game's 10 touchdowns were scored in a first half that saw neither team punt. Senior quarterback Sal Intagliata led three first-half scoring drives for Carey, which took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when senior Joseph Carr hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass. It was the first points allowed by Hewlett in 2007.
"I thought our offense moved the ball well," Stanley said. "That wasn't the problem. We have to take a look at the film and maybe make some personnel changes."
The foundation for a shootout was set after Bulldogs' senior Tom Higgins returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards to the Carey 11-yard line. Two plays later, senior wing back Nick Mastronardi scored the first of Hewlett's five opening-half touchdowns. The others came on a 43-yard scamper by senior Austin Gilbert, a 1-yard plunge by junior quarterback Andrew Cohen, a 52-yard interception return by Mastronardi, and a 32-yard run by Cohen.
Senior running back James Spanopoulos was a bulldozer in the early going for Carey, racking up 65 yards on nine carries and scoring its second touchdown. He also set up Intagliata's 8-yard scoring run with a key 16-yard gain on third down.
"They beat us two years in a row and had us on our heels in the first half," Hewlett coach Jay Iaquinta said. "Their quarterback is outstanding, but our defense was able to come through in the second half. We came into the game with a bend-don't-break mindset and didn't give up any big plays."
Five minutes into the third quarter and still trailing 35-21, Carey was forced to punt for the first time. Junior Mac Posner fielded the ball at the 36 and worked his way into the end zone, giving the hosts their largest lead of the day.
The fifth-seeded Seahawks, who got a late touchdown reception from senior Paul Van Wie, must pick up the pieces and get ready to face Kennedy at home this Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cougars, seeded sixth, are also 0-2.
Comments about this story? tbellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
