Thursday, October 1, 2026
Elmont had negative yardage over its first three second-half possessions against a fired-up Valley Strean North defense in Saturday’s homecoming game, but when it mattered most and with the season on the line, senior quarterback Aiden Barnes & Co. delivered.
Barnes directed a 68-yard touchdown drive capped by junior Elijah Davis’ 4-yard touchdown run with 2:40 remaining, and sophomore Christopher Franklin recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff as Elmont gutted out a 13-9 Nassau Conference III playoff-clinching victory on a picture-perfect fall afternoon.
“We faced some adversity but we came through in the end,” said Barnes, who kept the eventual winning drive alive with a 15-yard completion to senior Guypslee Chery on fourth-and-7 from the Elmont 34. “We sure didn’t want to lose homecoming,” he added. “It was a game we had to have and it feels good to clinch the playoffs.”
The result left both teams at 3-4, but Valley Stream North needs not only a win over Manhasset in the regular-season finale but lots of help to snag the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference. North also needs Elmont to beat South Side, Clarke to knock off Division, Bethpage to defeat Carey, and Hewlett to beat Sewanhaka.
“We’re a senior-heavy team and this one hurts,” VSN head coach Mike Paolillo said. “We just have to focus on ourselves next week and get to 4-4. We need help, but we can only control what we can control.”
Elmont led 7-3 after each of the first three quarters and North’s defense had the hosts going in reverse for most of the second half with minus-10 yards through three series’. North senior Dom Verso recovered a crucial Elmont fumble at the 1-yard line to with seconds remaining in the opening half keep it a one-possession game. Senior Karim Waly and juniors Jerry Thomas and Eddy Turcios also had strong defensive efforts.
Elmont’s defense also stood tall following a game-opening drive that resulted in a 3-0 deficit thanks to senior A.J. Strojan’s 27-yard field goal. Chery had an interception and seniors Jaiden Williams and Malachi Collins led the way in tackles.
The visitors regained the lead with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter in stunning fashion. Facing fourth-and-2 on its own 30, Paolillo called timeout to go over options. “Originally we were looking of running a toss, but our coach up top didn’t like the look so we called timeout,” he said. “Then we were going to punt before we decided to go for it again. Their defense was blowing up the dive all game so we knew we had to try something different.”
North called a reverse, and senior Aidan Munro took it 70 yards to the house for a 9-7 lead.
“We knew we had to make plays and respond,” said Davis, who rushed for 173 yards and scored both Elmont touchdowns. “I’m glad we were able to punch it in.”
Victory was secured when senior Jean Lens forced a fumble on the kickoff following Davis’ go-ahead score and Franklin pounced on it.
“This win takes all the pressure off,” Elmont head coach Tom Innes said. “We didn’t want the season to come down to a must-win situation next week.”
