Sports
Garden City Football Knocks Off Wantagh, 21-3
Defending Nassau County Conference II champions open the game up in the second half to pull away from Warriors.
The first half of the football game between Garden City and Wantagh was a tight one on Saturday afternoon at .
The Trojans got up early, 7-0, after senior running back Patric Berkery broke loose for an early first quarter touchdown.
The Warriors got on the board in the second quarter after a field goal by sophomore kicker Andrew Martorella to bring the score to 7-3.
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The Warriors also had a touchdown called back on a penalty in the second that would have given them the lead.
But as it stood 7-3 would be the score as both teams entered the halftime locker rooms.
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The momentum changed to the side of Garden City in the third quarter when the Trojans picked up significant yards from Berkery to start their opening drive.
The running back eased his way through holes created by the offensive line and was able to get into the end zone at the eight minute mark to widen the Trojans lead by 11 points, 14-3.
He scored his third touchdown of the day midway through the fourth quarter on a blazing 62-yard dash through the Wantagh defense.
Berkery had 13 carries for 135 yards and three touchdowns on the day to lead the Trojans in the 21-3 win.
"It was the tale of two halves," said Wantagh head coach Tom Casey. "It was tight in the first half but their opening drive in the third quarter really set us back to start the second half. We were battling uphill the whole way after that."
The Warriors did not come close to getting in the end zone in the second half as the Trojans defense, led by defensive lineman Eugene Berkery, stuffed them at every turn.
"Wantagh moved the ball more than we would have liked them too in the first half," said Garden City Coach, Tom Flatley. "But they weren't able to in the second as we got more pressure on their quarterback."
The Warrior defense did a good job particularly in the first half getting tackles from junior Gerard Roche (seven tackles, fumble recovery,) senior Cody Cornacchio (6 tackles) and senior Matt Balzano (four tackles, forced fumble.)
Wantagh is now 1-1 in Conference 2 and will play at Carle Place/Wheatley this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Garden City is 2-0 and will play its home against New Hyde Park on Saturday.
