Thursday, October 1, 2026
It takes one play to change the momentum of a football game, and that play often falls outside of the conventional. A fumble, interception, penalty, or missed assignment can completely alter the flow of a game.
Such was the case in last Saturday afternoon’s Conference II quarterfinal matchup between MacArthur and visiting Elmont. Midway through the second quarter, with the game scoreless, senior punter Justin Norcini ran 27 yards on a fake punt to lead the Generals to their first score in what would be a 28-0 victory.
Senior Vin Martino carried the ball 24 times for 104 yards to lead a ground attack that amassed 210 yards in a game where the final score was not close to being indicative of how tightly contested it was. The No. 3 Generals advanced to the semifinals where they will meet No. 2 Carey, two-time defending county and Long Island champions, this Friday at Hofstra at 7:30 p.m.
After neither MacArthur or Elmont got close to the end zone the first couple of times possessing the ball, the Generals took a big risk, and the result was a huge reward.
Facing fourth down and three from his own 30-yard line, Norcini was called upon to take the snap from punt formation and run up the middle. He didn’t stop until he was pulled down at Elmont’s 43. Two plays later, senior Jared Wolfe went 32 yards for the game’s first score with 5:16 to play in the half. Norcini’s kick made it 7-0.
MacArthur head coach Bob Fehrenbach expected a close game a week after his team beat Elmont, 49-20. “We knew it wouldn’t be the same,” Fehrenbach said. “They knew we’d run the ball, and were giving us very little room. The fake punt was a big risk, because if it failed, we would be giving them the ball and a short field. It was a big play for us.”
Despite being held scoreless in the opening half, Elmont had success through the air. Junior quarterback Aaron Ruthman hooked up with seniors Matthew Penalvert, Ashton Brown, and Derrick Pouncy for big gains.
However, the second half was all about the MacArthur defense. Halftime adjustments stifled the Spartans’ short passing game. The Generals got strong play on defense from Dan Joyce, Matt DiBlaiso, Ryan O’Shea and Marc Arboleda.
With 2:32 to play in the third quarter, and the Generals at the Elmont 18, quarterback Jimmy Kelleher threw the ball down the middle of the field to a well-covered Arboleda. The senior tight end leapt high above the defense and made a remarkable one-handed grab to extend the lead to 14-0.
A five-yard run by Kelleher, and an interception return for a touchdown by O’Shea capped off the scoring. Elmont’s defense was led by Jaydel Richardson and Cameron Cummings.
“We played real well on defense, but we couldn’t match up with their size on the line,” Elmont head coach Jay Hegi said. “We moved the ball pretty well in the first half, but couldn’t get it in the end zone. It was an excellent game; a lot closer than the final score.”
