West Hempstead cruises to 3-0 start

It was a picture-perfect afternoon  Saturday for West Hempstead’s homecoming and the Rams put on a show to improve to 3-0 in Nassau Conference IV football for the first time since 2013.

Seniors Jonathan Balthazard and Michael AbiAoun both rushed for a pair of touchdowns, and senior A’lorenz Chatman added a rushing score and an interception as West Hempstead defeated Lawrence, 42-0, to remain perfect on the season. Junior Gavin Lee also picked off a pass as the defense held the opposition to single digits in points for the sixth time in seven games dating back to last October.

“We put in a ton of work the week before practice began so that helped us prepare for the season,” Rams head coach Dom Carre said. “I’ve always felt Week 1 is the most important game to win and we went to Seaford and played really well. You can enjoy it a little more when you start on the right foot because of all the work that goes into the offseason.”

West Hempstead opened with a 28-6 road victory over Seaford for their first win over the Vikings since 2011. “We played really well and everyone was pumped up during the bus ride home,” Carre said. “Seaford has a great program and we’ve played them close so many times over the years without beating them.

“It’s a huge early win in terms of playoff positioning,” he added. “Anytime you can beat a team seeded higher than you, it’s big. Seaford was the 3-seed and we’re 7 so it’s considered an upset.”

Seaford scored early to take a 6-0 lead before the Rams scored 28 unanswered. Senior quarterback Corey Pierre (1-yard run) and Lee (80 yards) had touchdown runs in the first and second quarters, respectively, and West Hempstead held a 14-6 halftime lead. Balthazard busted a 68-yard touchdown run in the third and Pierre iced the victory with a 15-yard score in the fourth. Senior Jurrel Hall was perfect on four extra-point kicks.

“Corey has rushed for 90 yards in all three games so far,” Carre said of Pierre. “He’s doing a nice job and our offensive line is off to a good start. Those guys up front need to stay emotionally and mentally invested to get better each week.

“My biggest problem is sharing the ball,” he added. “Each guy can only get so many touches with one football.”

Left tackle Dan Clark was the lone returning starter on the offensive line, but center Diego Quijada Reyes and Giuseppe D’Agosto both saw plenty of action last fall. The senior trio was joined by sophomore right tackle Jaden Bonilla-Ayala and freshman right guard Joseff Suarez-Ortiz.

Next up for West Hempstead is a visit from Cold Spring Harbor this Friday for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff under the lights. The Seahawks eliminated the Rams from last year’s playoffs in the first round.

“Their quarterback has been out so far but we’ll be preparing as if he’ll be in the game,” Carre said. “If he’s not we’ll have plenty of film on who they’ve been using.”