One interview after another Steve Casali answered the same questions about his dominating performance Friday night against Longwood. All answers pointed back to his passion for the game of football, which was evident by his battered arms, bloodied ear and face drenched in eye black.
Casali has led Sachem East for three years. He’s gained more yards than any other player in program history. He’s tackled more guys, scored more touchdowns and done just about everything else he could possibly manage to help turn this program around.
Friday night was no different. He continued his dominance and lent a career-high 289 rushing yards and three touchdowns, 14 tackles, three forced fumbles and one recovery en route to a 25-17 victory at Longwood in a crucial Suffolk County Division I battle that had playoff implications.
“He is one of the best kids I’ve ever been around,” Sachem East coach Mark Wojciechowski said. “Not just because he’s a great football player, he’s a great kid. When you challenge him, he steps up and he certainly stepped up tonight. He’s fun to watch when he gets around that corner or gets that little break.”
The 289 yards are one shy of the program single-game rushing record set by Matt Ferber in 2005.
Longwood’s Dashawn Taylor put the Lions on the board early with a 65-yard run from scrimmage on the second play of the game.
After Sachem East’s Danny Wolff threw an interception to Longwood’s Jordan Wesley at the 32-yard line, the Lions drove down field and converted on a 28-yard field goal by Paul Aponza. Longwood led, 10-0.
Sachem East’s (3-2) opening touchdown was heard loud and clear when Casali blasted through the line and rushed 68 yards for six points with 3:51 left in the second quarter. Longwood blocked the point after attempt by Steve Puangco.
Casali brought his highlight reel flavor with him to the third quarter, opening up the half with a 50-yard touchdown at 11:41. Puangco made that extra point and Sachem East took its first lead of the game at 13-10.
Later in the third quarter, Sachem East forced to punt at its own 40 yard line, botched the long snap and gave Longwood (2-3) the ball on the 5 yard line. Taylor scored and put Longwood ahead, 17-13.
Wolff hit Ryan Dippel for a 20-yard touchdown pass at 11:10. After faking to Casali, who ignited that series with a 30-yard rush to the 20 yard line, and drawing the defense in, Dippel found himself relatively wide open in the end zone.
Casali eventually sealed the win with a 34-yard touchdown five minutes later, rumbling and bumbling his way through the line and through anyone who broached his running lane.
“He muscled through and wasn’t going to be denied,” Wojciechowski said. “He’s just awesome. He’s a special special kid.”
“I was running hard the whole game,” said Casali. “That’s what my coaches teach me, to run hard and not to give up.”
News and Notes
- Sachem East hosts Connetquot during Week 6 on Friday, October 12.
- The victory was the ninth in Wojciehowski’s young career as a head coach. He’s one away from tying Al Bertalone as the winningest coach in program history.
Scoring Summary
-L: Taylor, 65 run, kick good
-S: Casali, 68 run, blocked kick
-L: Aponza 28 kick
-S: Casali, 50 run, Puangco kick
-L: Taylor, 5 run, kick good
-S: Wolff to Dippel, 20 pass, 2-pt no good
-S: Casali, 34 run, kick good
-Words and photos by Chris R. Vaccaro