The magnitude of Saturday’s homecoming football game against the Syosset Braves was not lost on the Farmingdale Dalers. At 1-2, a loss could have put a major dent in the playoff hopes of the proverbial Conference I powerhouse.
As good programs tend to do, Farmingdale rose to the challenge, topping Syosset 26-14 at Don Snyder Stadium on the campus of
Farmingdale (2-2) was the beneficiary of some Syosset errors early in the game. A fumble recovery midway through the first quarter gave the Dalers prime field position at the Syosset 15 yard line. A 14-yard run by quarterback Dalique Mingo set up Justin Martin’s first touchdown of the afternoon, a one-yard scamper with 8:58 left in the first quarter, putting Farmingdale up 7-0.
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Errors would come back and bite Syosset (1-3) again in the second quarter. Positioned in the shadows of their own goal posts, Syosset quarterback Dylan Shangold was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 9-0 Daler lead.
Although Martin was the statistical star of the afternoon for Farmingdale, scoring three touchdowns, Mingo proved to be a key part of the offense. Syosset struggled stopping the option play most of the afternoon. This was largely due to Mingo’s talent as a dual threat quarterback.
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Hero: Martin - The senior captain ran for 109 yards, 75 of which came in the first half. His second touchdown came on a 26-yard run down the right side line with 1:04 left in the first half. The score put the Dalers up 16-0 heading towards halftime.
Turning Point: Mike Gregorovic returned a Shangold interception 51 yards early in the fourth quarter. The good field position led to a five yard Martin touchdown return and, despite a small Syosset surge late in the quarter put the game away.
Quotable: “It’s a good defensive group,” said Dalers head coach Buddy Krumenacker. “They keep getting better. They’ve been through a lot, we got beat here three weeks ago 49-0, (but) we’ll keep working”
“The offense has really put the defense in bad situations,” said Syosset head coach Paul Rorke of his team. “When you do that, it’s not the defense. The defense, I thought, played pretty well. You can’t give (teams) short fields and turn balls over and expect to be successful.”
Bottom Line: Farmingdale stuck with the option early and was able to find holes in a Syosset defense that has been very good at times this season. Syosset, while frustrated, is hardly done. They were in a similar situation last season and rallied to make the playoffs.
Key Stat: Mingo had 66 yards rushing.
Who’s Next: Farmingdale @ Freeport, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.;
Box Score:
Team………....1…...2…....3….4….F
Syosset……...0…..0….....8….6….14
Farmingdale..7….9…….0….10…26
F- Martin 1 yd rush (Kolodny kick)
F- Safety
F- Martin 26 yd rush (Kolodny kick)
S- Zeidman 4 yd rush (2 pts good)
F- Kolodny FG
F- Martin 5 yd rush (Kolodny kick)
S- Renick 72 yard INT return (2 pts failed)
