By Brian Zanzonico
Elmont was nursing a 8-0 lead - courtesy of a Russell touchdown and two-point conversion - in the third quarter of last Saturday's game against first-place Sewanhaka when the senior running back was dragged down from behind and tweaked an abdominal muscle. He was wincing on the sideline and could hardly raise his arms over his head, but returned to score a fourth quarter touchdown to put the game out of reach, 16-0, in a rain-soaked match-up at Elmont Memorial High School.
"I had to do it for the team," Russell said about asking his way back into the game after the injury. "There's a lot of people depending on me so I sucked it up and kept on playing."
With the win, Elmont moved to 3-1 and into a four-way tie for second place in Conference II. Previously undefeated Sewanhaka is 3-1.
Despite discomfort, Russell rushed for 145 yards on 24 carries and touchdown runs of 28 and 1 yard. On Sunday night, Oct. 9,Russell said he was feeling better and would be ready to practice to prepare for Saturday's game against Hewlett. That's good news for the Spartans and Head Coach Jay Hegi, who was happy to escape with a win and no serious injuries.
"It [playing conditions] was horrible," Hegi said. "But we'll take the 'W.'"
Though Russell was the difference in the game, senior quarterback Kenny Thompson said Hegi was the MVP. Aware of the forecast early in the week, Hegi had Thompson practice for the game using wet footballs. It worked, as Elmont's center-to-quarterback exchange did not produce a turnover. By contrast, Sewanhaka senior quarterback Derrick Gallimore fumbled on the Indians first few possessions.
"It helped because by game time, we were used to it [a wet football],'" Thompson said.
Thompson and senior center Vaton Huggins were flawless, which somewhat shocked their coach.
"I'm really surprised a first-year quarterback and a new center didn't make one fumble," Hegi said. "Impressive."
Thompson, a converted fullback, has done exactly what coaches have asked of him thus far: Keep turnovers at a minimum and cleanly deliver the hand-offs to Russell. He's still growing into the position, but Thompson said he is confident he has the poise - and the arm - to guide Elmont to a run deep into the playoffs.
"I'm still working on it," he said. "I'm not used to playing it [quarterback], but I think I'll be alright. I'm getting used to reading the defense. I've taken a lot of criticism from people outside of the team, but I've got a lot of support from my coaches, team and family, so it's good."
Thompson and Russell had a new mate in the backfield for the Sewanhaka game, as senior Marcus Johnson was moved from tight end to fullback, replacing senior Ernest Pope.
"There's not much of a difference between tight end and fullback," said Johnson, who was replaced at tight end by 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior Brian Millsaps. "He's running at me, me at him. At tight end, it's just line blocking."
Elmont hosts Hewlett (3-1) on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. The Spartans beat the Bulldogs 27-6 in last year's Conference II quarterfinal.
Carey loses in final seconds
H. Frank Carey was handed its first loss of the season on a one-yard touchdown run as time expired last Saturday against Lawrence, which entered the game 0-3. Lawrence junior halfback Brian DiSabato's plunge prevented the Seahawks from moving into a first-place tie with Garden City, which moved to 4-0 with a win over Hewlett. Junior halfback Matt Zaffuto scored his 8th touchdown of the year, a 40-yard run, for Carey's only score.
North falls to Roosevelt
Valley Stream North (2-2, Conference IV) were shutout by one of the county's top teams, Roosevelt, 29-0. North plays at Cold Spring Harbor on Saturday, Oct. 15.
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