Newfield Downs Garden City in Class II LIC

Newfield has played spoiler all post-season, defeating three higher-seeded Suffolk programs en route to the school’s first county championship.

The Wolverines played with that same fervor Friday as Newfield captured the school’s first Long Island title, beating Garden City, 14-7, at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.

It was the Trojans' third straight appearance in the Long Island championship and 12th time on Long Island's grandest football stage since 1992 when the current playoff structure was adopted. The Trojans are 4-8 overall.

“It was a close game with two good teams,” said Garden City coach Tom Flatley. 

Newfield (9-3) held a 7-0 lead at halftime with its only main offensive production coming from a 1-yard Michael Silva touchdown run.

Garden City tied the score in the third off a 6-yard touchdown run by Mark Ellis at 5:54.

The Wolverines used Julian Santiago’s 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter at 11:25 as its go-ahead score to win.

Garden City (11-1) had opportunities throughout the game but came up short in multiple attempts to manufacture any momentum. Newfield also controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the contest.

“They’re not just big, they’re good,” Flatley said. “We showed up, we played and we gave it our best shot.”

Prior to the game, Newfield alum and former NFL player Rob Burnett spoke with his alma mater.

“He was saying that we have to go in with our hearts, our minds and our souls,” said Newfield junior lineman James Manginelli. “Everything we got, leave it on the field.”

Newfield upset Riverhead, West Babylon and East Islip in the Suffolk playoffs from its fifth seed.

“They play with a great amount of desire,” said Newfield coach Joe Piccinnini. “They’re a relentless group and they won’t quit. They don’t know what that word is. We knew we’d be a contender knowing the group of kids we had. If you tell them they can’t do it, they’ll prove you wrong.”

Garden City loses 28 seniors to graduation this year, and Flatley is uncertain if he’ll be back as head coach in 2012.

“They’ll be a Garden City football team,” he said, “but I’m not committed to anything right now.”

Fourth and Long

• Newfield out-gained Garden City, 199-125, in total offensive yards.
• Stat lines: Garden City’s Mark Ellis rushed 10 times for 27 yards and 1 touchdown. He also caught 7 passes for 23 yards. Michael Silva led Newfield with 16 carries for 76 yards and 1 touchdown.
• Suffolk leads Nassau, 14-6, all-time in Class II Long Island championship games.

-N: Silva 1 run, Keute kick

-G: Ellis 6 run, Norton kick

-N: Santiago 1 run, Keute kick