By ANDREW McCLURE
Senior halfback Frank Shanahan carried 11 times for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and fellow senior Tennard Campbell added 125 yards and a touchdown to lead host Malverne to a convincing 39-7 victory over East Rockaway in the Conference IV opener for both teams. Malverne’s ground attack amassed 385 yards.
Malverne head coach Colbert Britt knew the Mules would have to be on their game to beat their conference rival, but was confident his offense would be able to run the ball. “Any time we play East Rockaway, we know we’re in for a battle,” Britt said. “Our strength is going to be the running game. I thought if the line could do a good job, we’d be able to get it done on the ground.”
The Mules came out flying in the opening quarter. With senior center Cole Hayes, and talented juniors Uwagbae Eweka and Terry Banks opening up huge holes, the Mules were able to take a 19-0 lead. It was Shanahan taking it from 25 yards out, followed by a two-yard plunge by junior fullback Jonathan Rogers, and finally a 43-yard ramble by Campbell.
Meanwhile, the Rocks couldn’t get anything going. Malverne’s defense, led by Hayes, Eweka, Banks, Rogers and junior Jackson Hayes, was unyielding. East Rockaway was able to sustain one lengthy drive midway through the second quarter, only to have the Mules’ defense stop it inside the 5-yard line.
It appeared momentum had turned in East Rockaway’s favor after the Mules botched a punt snap and gave turned the ball over at their own two-yard line. Two plays later, senior quarterback Sean Schechter found the end zone, and the Rocks cut the lead to 19-7. However, East Rockaway would not score again.
Malverne’s junior quarterback Brandon Michaels ran the option to perfection in the second half. Michaels, in his first game as a varsity signal-caller, took turns handing the ball off to his backs and calling his own number as the Malverne ground game wore down the Rocks. Early in the fourth quarter, Michaels kept it himself from six yards out to give the Mules a commanding 25-7 lead.
Later in the quarter, Shanahan cast aside cramping problems and scored from 65 yards out. Senior Garlinksy Jean capped off the scoring with a 24-yard run as Malverne beat the Rocks handily for the second consecutive season. Britt was pleased with the effort. “The boys played hard,” Britt said. “Michaels has the ability to throw, but if we’re going to be successful the running game is going to be the key. The line blocked well and the backs did a great job running the ball.”
The Mules host Manhasset on Saturday afternoon at 1:30.
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