Thursday, October 1, 2026
With standout linebacker Chris Hercules out for the past month with a broken leg and safety Chris Donahue joining his fellow senior on the sideline after suffering a broken foot last week, Lawrence’s defense faced its biggest test of 2011 with defending Nassau Conference III champion Lynbrook in town for Saturday’s Homecoming.
But the Golden Tornadoes did more than just earn a passing grade. They kept the Owls’ vaunted ground attack in check and forced three interceptions in a stunning 36-0 blowout victory.
Juniors Tyler Fredericks, Ludwing Velasquez and Mike Fragner picked off passes and senior Ryan Fredericks led an offense that scored three touchdowns and went 3-for-3 on two-point conversions in the second quarter as Lawrence (6-1) built a 30-0 halftime cushion.
“It was great how we moved the ball and scored,” said Golden Tornadoes head coach Joe Martillotti, “but I can’t say enough about the defense. To keep a team like Lynbrook off the board is phenomenal.”
The Owls (5-2) came within a dropped pass in the end zone from scoring late in the first quarter and inches of another touchdown on the final play of the first half when senior running back Rocco Scibelli was stopped just short of the goal line. It was the second time in four weeks they were blanked.
“They had a great plan for us and did a great job,” Lynbrook head coach Steve LoCicero said. “We have to get better at what we do, which is run the ball. When we run the ball well, other things open up for us.”
Ryan Fredericks did a little bit of everything — he rushed for two touchdowns, caught a scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Joey Capobianco, threw a touchdown pass to his brother, freshman Jordan Fredericks, ran in a two-pointer and passed for one when it was batted into the arms of junior lineman Islam Mohamed.
Lawrence’s defensive front, which expanded from three players to five since the season opener, came up huge against Scibelli and Owls senior quarterback Luke Spitzer. Juniors Matt Leone, Akil Mavruk and John Perrone spearheaded the effort in the trenches, and Velasquez and fellow junior Kenny Perez continued to shine at linebacker.
