Rushing Attack, Defense Lead Wantagh Past Long Beach

Michael Ferraro ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries to lead the Warriors (5-2) past Long Beach (4-3) at Veterans Field 35-16.

Peter Brasile added 95 yards on the ground for Wantagh, who scored on its first possession on a 6-yard rush by Ferraro. 

After the teams took turns trading punts, Christopher Parler broke through for Long Beach's biggest play of the day with an 80-yard TD run to tie the game at 7-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, Vinny Vasheo found a seam and ran for a touchdown, therefore canceling out Parler's big play and sending the Warriors into the half with a 14-7 lead.

"The ball just came to me, and I took it up field," Vasheo said. "I found a hole and took off. I was gone."

After Long Beach failed on its opening drive of the second half, Wantagh increased its lead to 14 with a Ferraro 1-yard TD run.

"It gives us a lot of momentum," Ferraro said. "My line opened the holes and made it easy for me." 

Then, after a botched punt by Parler, Steven Killard found Brett Newman in the corner of the end zone to give Wantagh a 28-7 lead.

Wantagh would add even more insurance when Vasheo scored for the second time of the game on a 5-yard run. Long Beach cut the deficit to 35-14 on a block punt and touchdown return by Rahmeloh Hodge, and they added two more on a Wantagh safety. 

Wantagh Coach Keith Sachs credited the defense for getting things done early on.

"I think the defense set the tone," he said. "We literally played almost a perfect half except for one play. It kind of worked out exactly as we planned."

Parler said it's important for Long Beach to keep their chins up and get back to the practice field.

"We need to come to practice and be focused," Parler said. "We can't let this game bring us down. We need to push each other harder."