Spartans fall to East Rockaway

While there was debate as to whether the powerful storm that hit the area last Thursday afternoon included a tornado, there was no doubt Valley Stream North was hit by a juggernaut moments before the ominous clouds arrived.

Michael Castellano carried the ball five times for 144 yards and a touchdown, caught a pass for another score, and had an interception to lead East Rockaway to a 26-0 road win over the Spartans. Junior running back Evan Henry led North with 134 yards on 16 carries.

With the loss, Valley Stream North fell to 0-2 in Nassau Conference IV. Head coach Tom Schiavo gave all the credit to the Rocks. “They proved that they deserve to be seeded as high as they are,” Schiavo said. “They’re as good as advertised. They’re talented, well-coached, and have an outstanding reputation for always playing hard.”

The game was all East Rockaway from the start. With the offensive line playing real well, the Rocks amassed 282 yards on the ground. The Rocks got on the board on their first possession when junior Anthony Tesoriero, who carried the ball seven times for 56 yards, ran it in from nine yards out for his first varsity touchdown. The score was set up by a long run by Castellano. The extra-point attempt failed.

On East Rockaway’s next possession, Castellano displayed the juking and sprinting ability that the Rocks’ faithful are becoming accustomed to with a 57-yard touchdown run. Castellano followed his blocks, put on a few moves, and didn’t stop until he was in the end zone. Andrew Bashford split the uprights to give the East Rockaway an early 13-0 lead.

After Luke Fahrunkrug made the score 20-0 on a four-yard run, North looked ready to answer. Henry broke free for a 55-yard scamper deep into Rocks’ territory. But, the Spartans would be turned away. A sack by Casey Gioe for a 12-yard loss ended all hopes of North getting on the scoreboard.

The Rocks and Castellano were hungry for more. With the clock running down in the opening half, Bashford hit Danny McClure for 15 yards. On the very next play, the senior quarterback hooked up with Castellano from 45 yards out to cap off the scoring. East Rockaway improved to 2-0.

In the season opener, North came back from a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime in 30-23 loss to Mineola. Trailing 23-7, Anthony Martelli hooked up with junior C.J. Byron on a 47-yard touchdown strike, and then the sophomore quarterback scored from a yard out. Martelli ran in both two-point conversions.

Schiavo is optimistic North will get things righted. “We just need to work hard and continue to improve,” he said. “We’re in discovery mode. We need to cut back on the mistakes, keep hitting, and get better each week.”

The Spartans will travel to Friends Academy on Saturday to take on the Quakers at 1:30 p.m.