The Glen Cove High School varsity football team, "Big Red," improved their record to 4 wins, 1 loss, last Saturday with a rousing 32-8 victory over the West Hempstead High School Rams. Once again, the offense rushed for over 300 yards, gaining 364 yards on 41 carries without a single pass attempt. The defense also turned out a fine performance holding the Rams to 170 yards on 44 plays.

Once again, the catalyst to the Big Red "O" was tailback Zhivargo Simmons, who scored 4 touchdowns on runs of 20, 48, 24 and 65 yards. Simmons' last touchdown was the first play of the second half--a run where the blocking was so superior he entered the end zone untouched by Ram defenders. Simmons ended the day with 238 yards on only 11 carries and scored his tenth touchdown of the season. The defensive charge was led by big Mark Norman. Mark hit West Hempstead with crashing tackles and also recovered a fumble on the one-yard line stopping a Ram scoring attempt. Defensive ends Paul Graziosi, Charles McCullough, John Romaniello and Jason Hopkins also were instrumental in holding a potent West Hempstead attack in check. Middle linebacker Dave Graziosi once again turned in a one-handed interception, his fourth of the season.

George Spellman, the Big Red's 1949 county scoring leader was in the stands watching Saturday's game. On Oct. 14, 1949 the Big Red defeated Lawrence High School at Lawrence, 37-0. Spellman scored 4 touchdowns and Lou Britt added 2 more. For Spellman, it was his eighth touchdown in only 3 games, scoring 2 in a 19-6 victory over Baldwin and an additional 2 against Chaminade in the Covers 44-19 victory. The team's record stood at 3 wins, 0 losses as they prepared to meet rival Mineola High School, a game that was played on Friday, Oct. 21, 1949.

In a wild coincidence, the 1999 Big Red squad prepares to play Mineola at Hampton Stadium this Saturday, Oct. 23. The Big Red needs a victory to continue on the road to Hofstra for the playoffs in defense of Big Red's County championship title. The Big Red will need the support of all their fans as they face the Mineola Mustangs with a record of 3-2 on Mustang turf. Get out your red and green and come to Mineola to cheer on the Big Red.

The team is coached by Pete Kopecky, Vinnie Chopard and Steve Tripp.