Glenn Football Beats Mount Sinai, 28-7 [VIDEO]

The defending opened its home schedule on Saturday. But there was little fanfare for , only a scoreboard bore testament to the greatness of 2010’s 12-0 season.

Nope, and not reflecting on past glory. And it was a good thing. Suffolk Division IV rival Mount Sinai played the Knights tough until Glenn scored three touchdowns down the stretch to secure a 28-7 win.

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Glenn (2-0) extended its winning streak to 14 straight by holding Mount Sinai (1-1) out of the end zone after a first-quarter score while Knights quarterback Rich Czeczotka moved the chains in methodical fashion. 

Hero: Czeczotka, a senior starting just his second game at quarterback, proved both efficient and rugged in running the spread offense. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 87 yards on 15 carries and another score. After ending the second quarter with an interception, Czeczotka was a perfect 6-for-6 in the second half.

Turning Point: After a flat opening two quarters, Glenn senior Nick Wagner jump-started the third quarter with an electrifying kickoff return. His 88-yard return for a touchdown sent a charge through the crowd and broke a tie at 7. Wagner also finished with three catches for 50 yards.

Quotable: “Here’s the bottom line: Big-time players make big-time plays and Nick Wagner is a big-time player,” Shanahan said. “We love him for that.” 

Bottom Line: The Knights didn’t bring a pass rush on defense and didn’t manage big plays on offense. The normally high-octane offense managed just two plays longer than 20 yards. The D gave up 118 rushing yards and 228 overall – not bad. But not on par with last season’s Long Island champs. 

The good news is there’s still plenty of time for refinement. A home date with perennial rival Babylon awaits on Oct. 1 followed by an Oct. 15 showdown at Amityville, the preseason favorite to win Division IV. 

As Wagner showed on his kickoff return, Glenn still has plenty of playmakers. If there’s one thing Shanahan has proven through the years, the Knights will find a way. 

Key Stat: Mount Sinai’s lone touchdown was set up by a 58-yard play. With a fierce pass rush in his face, Mustangs quarterback Austin Kay dumped the ball off to running back Mark Donadio, who broke free for a 43-yard gain. Officials tacked on 15 yards for a Glenn personal foul.

Who’s Next: It’s homecoming week. Shoreham-Wading River, Sept. 24, 1:30 p.m. Parade begins at noon.

Suffolk Division IV

Teams.................1.....2.....3.....4 – F  

Mount Sinai.........7.....0.....0.....0 – 7

Glenn..................7.....0....14.....7 – 28

G: Mannix  12 pass from Czeczotka (Orkiszewski kick)

MS: Hogan 14 pass from Kay (Faughnan kick)

G: Wagner 88 kickoff return (Orkiszewski kick)

G: Czeczotka 1 run (Orkiszewski kick)

G: Forsberg 3 run (Orkiszewski kick)