A New York City player who is going to college at Stony Brook stunned the team representing his future home.Devante Wheeler of Brooklyn's Poly Prep intercepted a desperate pass out of the end zone by John Kinder to set up an improbable touchdown as the City team defeated the Island, 15-10, last night before a record Empire Challenge crowd of 8,224 at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.
With Long Island leading 10-9 and trying to run out the clock, an errant snap over the head of Kinder forced the Lawrence quarterback into the end zone. Kinder, eschewing a safety, scrambled and tried a sidearm pass as he was falling.
With Long Island leading 10-9 and trying to run out the clock, an errant snap over the head of Kinder forced the Lawrence quarterback into the end zone. Kinder, eschewing a safety, scrambled and tried a sidearm pass as he was falling.
Wheeler picked it off at the 7 and ran it to the 1 with 2:01 left. Two plays later, City quarterback Jordan Rodriguez sneaked in for the winning touchdown. Long Island holds a 7-6 lead in the series, which went to an Island vs. City format in 1998.
Before Wheeler's interception, it looked as if Long Island had received a special delivery. Two huge special-team plays late in the third quarter put the Island ahead 10-9 after Nick Fiorito kicked a 44-yard field goal to give the City a 9-7 lead.
Seaford's Mike Gallo, a sure-handed receiver who was one of the up men, picked up a short kickoff and broke up the middle for an electrifying 56-yard gain to the City 14. Four plays later, Jesse Signa of St. Anthony's made a 30-yard field goal.
In the first quarter, before rain made the footing difficult, the New York City team was able to connect on some big passing plays. Jordan Rodriguez hit Marcus Spann for 38 yards midway through the first quarter to keep a drive alive.
Four plays later, Rodriguez darted up the middle on a keeper to score the game's first touchdown with 4:39 left in the first quarter. Fiorito's PAT attempt was blocked by Riverhead's Malcolm Cater.
From the spread, Long Island showed off its running game on its second possession. Anthony Brunetti of Holy Trinity, the Newsday Thorp Award winner for 2009, burst off the left side for 23 yards to the City 17. Davon Lawrence of Sachem North gained 5 and 8 yards on consecutive runs and a first down at the 3. Lawrence played linebacker in the Upstate-Downstate all-star game June 6 at the Carrier Dome.
On the first play of the second quarter, Lawrence took a handoff from Amityville quarterback Gavin Kretz, cut right and burst into the end zone. Jesse Signa's kick gave Long Island a 7-6 lead that stood until halftime.
"This is a lot more fun," Lawrence said of returning to the running back position he hopes to play at Stony Brook. "I've always been a running back. The O-line was making a big push."
Cater was the Long Island player of the game with 6½ tackles. New York City's Jason Bromley was MVP with seven tackles, including two sacks. One of them came on the drive after Rodriguez's touchdown as Kinder's desperate rally fell short.
Before Wheeler's interception, it looked as if Long Island had received a special delivery. Two huge special-team plays late in the third quarter put the Island ahead 10-9 after Nick Fiorito kicked a 44-yard field goal to give the City a 9-7 lead.
Seaford's Mike Gallo, a sure-handed receiver who was one of the up men, picked up a short kickoff and broke up the middle for an electrifying 56-yard gain to the City 14. Four plays later, Jesse Signa of St. Anthony's made a 30-yard field goal.
In the first quarter, before rain made the footing difficult, the New York City team was able to connect on some big passing plays. Jordan Rodriguez hit Marcus Spann for 38 yards midway through the first quarter to keep a drive alive.
Four plays later, Rodriguez darted up the middle on a keeper to score the game's first touchdown with 4:39 left in the first quarter. Fiorito's PAT attempt was blocked by Riverhead's Malcolm Cater.
From the spread, Long Island showed off its running game on its second possession. Anthony Brunetti of Holy Trinity, the Newsday Thorp Award winner for 2009, burst off the left side for 23 yards to the City 17. Davon Lawrence of Sachem North gained 5 and 8 yards on consecutive runs and a first down at the 3. Lawrence played linebacker in the Upstate-Downstate all-star game June 6 at the Carrier Dome.
On the first play of the second quarter, Lawrence took a handoff from Amityville quarterback Gavin Kretz, cut right and burst into the end zone. Jesse Signa's kick gave Long Island a 7-6 lead that stood until halftime.
"This is a lot more fun," Lawrence said of returning to the running back position he hopes to play at Stony Brook. "I've always been a running back. The O-line was making a big push."
Cater was the Long Island player of the game with 6½ tackles. New York City's Jason Bromley was MVP with seven tackles, including two sacks. One of them came on the drive after Rodriguez's touchdown as Kinder's desperate rally fell short.
