East Meadow Defeats Port Washington

In a tough season-opening game, the Port Washington Vikings played hard throughout and never gave up. Ultimately, though, the team from Schreiber lost the home game to the East Meadow Jets, 28 - 0.

After being dominated in the first half by the East Meadow running game giving up a total of 21 points, the Vikings defense came back in the second half to give up only 7. Throughout the matchup, Port Washington only got stronger, but the team was not able to put any points on the board nonetheless.

When the first quarter was complete the Jets' plan of attack became clear.

"We're looking to control the football on the ground and have no turnovers," Vinny Mascia, the head coach for East Meadow, said before the matchup.

The Jets controlled the ball on the ground but were unable to execute on their second goal. Port Washington had two interceptions in the contest.

The Vikings had a stellar defense against the pass and it was an area where East Meadow dared to go only few times. When the Jets did throw the ball, the Vikings were quick to capitalize. Shawn McKoy had a pick during the first passing play of the Jets, and Jason Gurewitz had an interception of his own in the closing moments of the second quarter.

"We never gave up and we worked our butts off," said Vikings second year assistant coach Joe Mascaretti. "We did everything we could."

Mascaretti reflected on the performance, but junior Robert Kreiger made sure he gave his all, even at the closing moments. Kreiger stood out for his tremendous effort even when the game was nearing completion, pounding through the East Meadow defensive line with no regrets. 

In the end, the Vikings did not end up with the win, but the athletes did gain experience from a team that went 7-1 in the regular season last year. Port Washington lost to this same East Meadow squad 49-0 in 2009, and when all is said and done, if anything, this loss can be looked at as an improvement.