Wantagh Football Cruises Over Long Beach in Season Opener

In the first matchup between the two schools since 1979, Wantagh dominated Long Beach 35 – 7 at Wantagh High School in the Nassau Conference II season opener for both teams Saturday afternoon.  

The game's turning point came before either team got on the scoreboard. Long Beach senior star running back, Gordon Farrell, left the field in an ambulance midway through the first quarter after suffering a broken collarbone on the Marines' second drive of the game.

"That was tough," said Long Beach head coach Scott Martin. "We were looking at Gordon for 20 touches today. He's our main running back."

Wantagh was led by the "thunder and lightning" ground game of senior running back Michael Scully (13 carries, 157 yards, one touchdown) and senior John Reicherter (15 carries, 147 yards, 2 touchdowns).

Seven turnovers by the Marines afforded the amped-up Warriors' offense multiple opportunities to run downhill all afternoon – and the Scully-Reicherter tandem did just that.

"They didn't really take care of the ball," said Wantagh head coach Keith Sachs. "Our thing is 'no mistakes' and getting the ball into the hands of the players who can make plays. We were able to do that."

Reicherter felt that Saturday's effort was no surprise. "It was what we expected," he said. "They came in talking and we let our actions on the field speak for us."

Scully echoed his backfield mate's confidence. "We had a great week of practice and just brought it to the game," he said. "It feels great."

Wantagh is next in action this Thursday Sept. 16 with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff at Elmont.

                     1     2     3     4     F

Wantagh     7     14    7     7     35

Long Beach  0     0     0     7     7