Garden City will continue its pursuit of another Nassau Conference II championship when it visits Mepham on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Wellington C. Mepham High School.
Garden City enters at 3–1 after rebounding from its first loss in nearly seven years with a 48–0 victory over New Hyde Park. The Trojans previously defeated Calhoun, 24–13, and MacArthur, 35–7, before Massapequa ended their state-record 68-game winning streak with a 21–14 victory.
Quarterback Brayden Robertiello completed 8 of 13 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns against New Hyde Park. Anthony Asaro rushed for 89 yards and two scores, while Christian Roddini produced touchdowns as a runner and receiver. Garden City’s defense recorded its first shutout of the season.
Mepham enters at 2–2, but its record does not fully reflect how competitive it has been. The Pirates defeated MacArthur, 34–6, before losing to Calhoun in double overtime, 25–19, and falling to Port Washington, 7–6, after an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt.
Mepham responded by defeating previously unbeaten Valley Stream Central, 50–15. Junior quarterback Adam Erlichman completed 12 of 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Senior Paulie Genovese accumulated 97 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
The Pirates’ key will be reproducing that offensive balance against a much stronger Garden City defense. Erlichman must make quick decisions, while Genovese needs enough running room to keep the Trojans from focusing entirely on the passing game.
Garden City must remain disciplined defensively and avoid treating its 44–7 victory over Mepham last season as an indication of what will happen Saturday. The Pirates have enough offensive ability to make the Trojans pay for turnovers or missed tackles.
Prediction: Garden City 35, Mepham 17. Mepham should challenge Garden City early, but the Trojans’ physical defense, offensive depth and championship experience should take control during the second half.