SSHS Cyclones Lose Season Opener, 21-0

In Saturday's 2011 season opener at Valley Stream South, the South Side High School football Cyclones came out fired up on both sides of the ball.

The defense forced the Falcons into a three-and-out on their first possession, and on South Side's first offensive series, junior quarterback Cole Considine completed a 43-yard pass to senior Zach Scaduto on second-and-14 to bring the Cyclones down to the Falcons 7. 

But that was as close as South Side would get to the end zone. The Cyclones were stopped on three consecutive rushes, and then Considine was sacked on fourth down after Head Coach Phil Onesto opted not to kick a field goal. 

"I saw how we moved the ball on the first drive, and figured we should be able to put this in," Onesto said on why they went for it on fourth down. "I'd do it again, it just didn't work out in our favor."

After Valley Stream South drove 82 yards to the South Side 7 yard line midway through the second quarter, the Cyclones defense made a fourth-down stop to keep the game scoreless. The Cyclones offense, however, went three-and-out and on the Falcons ensuing possession, drove 65 yards capped by a 20-yard touchdown by Valley Stream South junior Phil Crisci to take a 7-0 lead.

South Side finished the first half on a high note when sophomore Matt Berry intercepted a pass and returned it into Falcons territory, keeping it a one-score game.

"I think the defense played very well in the first half," Onesto said. "We had a couple of missed tackles. We were in the right position, but didn't make the play. There were three or four plays, where we make one block and get a big play."

South Side's offense sputtered in the second half, and Valley Stream capitalized. On its first possession of the second half, the Falcons drove 57 yards for a score — aided by a 34-yard run by Anthony Giganti — to take a 14-0 lead.

The Cyclones looked poised to score after rushes of 20, 10 and five yards by running back Eric Willie got South Side down to the Falcons 26, but Considine was intercepted on a 4th-and-15 pass. South Side never got into Falcons territory again.

Valley Stream South then took six rushing plays to drive 80 yards and a score, putting them up 21-0 and sealing the victory.

"Anytime you lose it's tough," Onesto said. "They came in and they were flying high, they wanted a 'W.' "I told them tomorrow is another day and this loss will sting a little bit, but let's concentrate on this coming week."

South Side plays its home opener next week against Hewlett at 1:30 p.m.