(Ed.'s Note: Last week's issue reported that the Trojans won Homecoming with an amazing score of 54-0, and now two of the team's players report on the game from their view on the field.)

Staking their claim as arguably the best team Garden City has had in the 1990s, the 1998 Trojans put on a show for the Homecoming fans. In front of a packed crowd at Warren King Field, Garden City recorded a season high point total in a 54-0 drubbing of the MacArthur Generals. "Yes it's Homecoming weekend, but for us, it's just another football game," said Head Coach Tom Flatley.

The Trojans reached the end zone on their second drive, when junior John Maloney ran it in from 4 yards out. Kevin Waters added the extra point and it was the start of a long day for the Generals. The Trojans quickly got the ball back, as Waters intercepted MacArthur's Johnathan Birsner and returned it to the MacArthur 10-yard line. Two plays later, Garden City quarterback Matt Casey threw a 3-yard strike to Waters for their second score. After the Generals went three and out, the Trojans marched down the field and scored their third touchdown as Casey and Waters connected again on a 16-yard fade pattern. Waters kicked the extra point and the Trojans were up 21-0 after the first quarter.

"It's nice to come out sharp after a game like last week," Waters said. "We got the job done early and were able to get some other guys their deserved time."

The second quarter was more of the same, as Garden City pushed the Generals down the field again. Maloney returned a MacArthur punt 53 yards to set up his second touchdown, a 7-yard run off left tackle. Behind the crushing blocking of Bob Reeves, Matt Lehmann, Eric Wenzel, Mark Oppedisano, and Dan Smith, Maloney was able to gain 74 yards on 8 carries. "The line blocked really well and I just ran right behind them," stated the modest Maloney.

With touchdown runs from sophomore running back Bill Hannan and sophomore quarterback Dave Kang, the Trojans went in with a 41-0 half-time lead.

With the issue no longer in doubt, Trojan fans got to see some new players get into the action. Hannan continued his fine running, while junior tailbacks Rory Connolly and Vin Sena left the General defenders swiping at the air. Kang took all of the snaps in the second half. Hannan went 31 yards untouched for a touchdown in the third quarter, finishing his day with two scores.

The play of the game came on a seemingly innocent punt return with less than five minutes left in the game. The Generals punted to the Trojans for the eighth time and Kang called for a fair catch, but he dropped the ball and then kicked it another five yards before finally picking it up. Kang put on a few moves, received a few timely blocks and ran through a number of tacklers before reaching the end zone 65 yards later.

"I just tried to fair catch it, but I had a little trouble with it," stated Kang. "Once I picked it up, I just tried to get positive yards."

With Waters' 6th extra point of the day, the Trojans finished a stellar Homecoming day, with a 54-0 win.

Game Balls

* Eric Wenzel (G/LB) -- The senior guard was bumped over to center when junior Ryan Capilupi suffered a mild concussion. The Trojans hope to have Capilupi back for their next game. Wenzel was also a Homecoming King nominee.

* Mark Oppedisano (G/DT) -- The sophomore made his first varsity start at guard, replacing Wenzel.

* Chris McLaughlin (LB/RB) -- Filled in for Wenzel at middle linebacker and lead the defense to its third shutout of the season.

* Mike Carney (LB/RB) -- Made the most memorable hit of the game, as he came up from his linebacker position and unloaded on an unfortunate General. Carney received "ooohs and aaahs" from both the sidelines and the stands.

* The Pink Raccoons -- Under the direction of their self-appointed captain, Guiseppe Imbriano, the scout team's hard work in practice helped prepare the starters for MacArthur, which allowed them to show their skill for the Homecoming crowd.