Trojans Fall Just Short vs. Carey in Championship Heartbreaker

Brett Stewart had 160 yards rushing and a touchdown, but Garden City fell just short against Carey 20-16 at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium Friday.

The Trojans started off strong, driving down the field before having their opening drive stall. After a put inside the Carey 10-yard line, the Seahawks drove down the field.

Ray Catapano’s 21-yard pass to Andrew Ris gave Carey a 10-0 lead.

Garden City took some time to get their offensive game going, but the defense kept the Seahawks lead at seven. Finally, with 9:19 left in the second quarter, Stewart found a seam and ran for 17-yards to tie the game at 7-7.

Carey had a chance to take back the lead, but Garden City made a big fourth-down stand deep in their end. Unfortunately for the Trojans, the Seahawks got the ball back one more time late in the half, and Catapano hit Ris again from 6 yards out to give Carey a 14-7 lead at half.

Garden City struck first in the second half with a 61-yard pass from Stewart to Matt Borges, but Gerard Smith missed the extra point, and the Seahawks maintained a 14-13 lead.

After a defensive stop, Garden City got the ball past midfield, but Stewart threw into double coverage, and Matt Robinson picked off the pass to change possession.

With 19 seconds left in the third quarter, Smith redeemed himself with a 27-yard field goal to give the Trojans a 16-14 lead. On the ensuing Carey drive, Tim Schmelzinger picked off Catapano to give Garden City the ball back.

With 5:15 remaining, Catapano hit Dylan DeMeo from 36-yards out to give the Seahawks a 20-16 lead, and that was the way it ended, giving Carey their first Conference Championship since 1978.

“We’re fighters,” Stewart said. “People thought we were going to lose 35-0, and we proved them wrong. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Stewart added 170 yards passing and broke several tackles en route to his 160 rushing yards, something Coach Tom Flatley took notice of.

“He’s carried us all year,” Flatley said. “He always does.”

Despite the loss, Flatley said he’s proud of his players.

“We won seven games and lost two to a great team,” Flatley said. “It was a great season,”

What do you think of the season the Trojans had? Tell us in the comment section below.

Passing

• Brett Stewart: 27 rushes, 160 yards, TD

Rushing

• Brett Stewart: 8-for-21, 170 yards, TD, 2 INT

Receiving

• Brian Colamussi: 3 catches, 53 yards
• Thomas Wright: 2 catches, 13 yards
• Matt Borges: 1 catch, 61 yards, TD
• James Sullivan: 1 catch. 23 yards

Tackles

• Ryan Blair: 9
• Dan Confort: 7.5
• Nicholas Giannone: 6
• Justin Samardich: 5