Bulldogs Take Chomp Out of Knights in Season Opener

The Hewlett Bulldog’s defensive line shut down the Floral Park Knights’ running game on Saturday, forcing 11 turnovers — including two interceptions and a fumble — and dominated Floral Park 24-0 in the team's season opener.

The tempo of the game was set early after Knights’ opening drive was quickly shut down and turned over with an interception on its second play.

Jay Iaquinta, the Bulldogs' head coach, said he felt confident in his team's performance after the team allowed just four turnovers all game.

“We’re real happy and pleased with the defense,” Iaquinta said. “We made big plays on offense, which we thought we were capable of.”

“Our best player was probably Mark Rizzo,” he added without hesitation. “He executed the offense almost flawlessly.”

Aside from scoring two touchdowns and racking up 78 rushing yards in his first start as Hewlett’s varsity quarterback, Rizzo also had a solid passing game.

He went four for nine, including a 24-yard touchdown to senior Michael Gray to start off the second quarter.

“I think of myself as a dual threat,” Rizzo said. “I have weapons, I can pick and choose who I throw to and they just make plays.”

Mike Spina, head coach of the Floral Park Knights, admits he and the team made a lot of mistakes and credits the loss to inexperience on the field. 

It was the Knights' first game as a Conference III team, going up against a typically two or three-seed-team.

“We just couldn't get in any rhythm today whatsoever,” Spina said. “Unfortunately we went up against a team that was a little bit better than us today.”

Spina and his Knights are looking forward to next week’s game at Great Neck North High School while the Bulldogs hit the weight room on Monday to prepare for South Side High School.

“We’ll get out the next opponent's films, we’ll see what their strengths are, their best plays and we’ll work to defend against that,” Iaquinta said.

and Floral Park high school’s varsity football season opener was originally scheduled at Hewlett High School, however, home field turf repairs moved the game to a much larger venue: Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium.

Opening ceremonies for the game on the eve of Sept. 11 included a tribute to past high school graduates lost in the attacks from both schools. Hewlett junior Sarah Lamsifer sang the national anthem and a moment of silence was held followed by a rendition of "Taps" performed on trumpet.