The Big Red varsity football team played their last home game Saturday and defeated Plainedge H.S. 35 to 20 keeping their playoff hopes alive. The win puts the team record at 4-2-1 assuring a winning season and forcing a must win game versus Bethpage to get back to Hofstra a fourth consecutive year.

In front of a loud supportive crowd that came out to cheer the Big Red and attend the first annual Teachers Appreciation Day, the Big Red had their best offensive game of the season. Marcus Bianconi had an incredible day scoring four touchdowns, rushing for 201 yards behind the blocks of Charles McCullough, Matt Hurwitz, Ricky Ortiz, Jeff Oglesby, Drew Beisler and Eric Bautista. Ivan Rivera starting his first game at quarterback was 3 of 8 for 62 yards including a big 35-yard TD pass to Travis Watson in the fourth quarter. Rich Tarver added 62 yards rushing as the offense totaled 312 yards 250 on the ground.

Defensively the Big Red held the Red Devils Mike Cervini to less than 100 yards rushing the first team to do that this season. Fumble recoveries by Matt Hurwitz (20) and Jeff Oglesby helped keep the Red Devils out of the Glen Cove end zone at key points in the game. Big hits again were delivered by Ricky Ortiz, Travis Watson and Brian Myers. Matt Hurwitz thrilled the crowd when he ran down a Plainedge kick returner heading for a sure TD. Hurwitz caught him from behind at the GC 10-yard line after a 40-yard foot race. Special teams and punt returner Mateo Ramos set up Glen Cove field position with returns of 24 and 12 yards. Steve Abbondandola was perfect with his extra points going 3 for 3. Freshman Punter Kevin Morales played in his first varsity game punting 4 times flawlessly.

The senior football players of the Big Red Varsity football team dedicated their last home game to the teachers of the Glen Cove School District. Each senior player chose a teacher in the district that had an impact on their life.

Senior Player and their recognized Teacher:

Charles McCullough - Robyn Davis

Travis Watson - Karen Serani

Matt Hurwitz - Geraldine Mitchell

Rich Tarver - Gerald Castelucci

Ricky Ortiz - Margot Edlin

Willie Landron - Bill Puccio

Pete Loiodice - Saverio Costantino

Marcus Bianconi - Tracy Laderer

Mike Giambruno - Sue Cornell

Ivan Rivera - Anthony Miracolo

Brian Fugazy - Gloria Mooney

Dan Delgado - Lori Pagnillo

Rick Ferao - Felicia Cono

Russell Keogler - Dale Zubrick

Jeff Oglesby - Chris Barry

Anthony Queliza - Rich Rosselli

The Big Red travel to Bethpage to play football powerhouse Bethpage H.S. The Golden Eagles have not lost on their field since 1989. The winner of the game will qualify for the County Playoffs at Hofstra next Friday. Spectators are welcome; game time is 2 p.m.

October 27: Let the playoffs begin! The game was the first round of the tournament as the 12th seeded team. The Big Red upset the 5th seeded Jericho by the score of 1-0. The lone goal came at the 2-minute mark of the second half. Richie Rivera scored on an assist from Jose Oliva. In the first half Glen Cove played into a strong wind and held Jericho scoreless. With the wind at our back in the second half Glen Cove had more scoring opportunities. Goalie Frank Carrotta made a diving save with 1:00 left in the game to secure the win. Defenders Scott Arnone, Jason Lindenbaum, Mike Gonzalez and Isreal Cruz contributed to the shutout victory. Glen Cove now moves into the quarterfinals against Great Neck North for a 2 o'clock game at the High School on Oct. 31. Glen Cove closed out a fantastic season in the second round of the Nassau County Championship Playoffs on Oct. 31. The Big Red was defeated by Great Neck North 4-3 in a wild game at Glen Cove. The score was tied at 3 with several minutes left when Great Neck North broke through and scored over the head of goalie Frank Carrotta. Glen Cove's final overall record was 12 wins, 2 losses and 4 ties. The team finished in second place in the league. The game was the last one for seniors Herbert Lazo, Harold Arana, Guiseppe Gallizzi, Dan Bellissimo, Amdrew Mora and Tony Condello. The team will miss them next year. There is a very strong nucleus of players returning next year and the team is already looking forward to making it even better. Congratulations to the entire soccer team and the coaches for making this season such an exciting and successful one to remember.

The cross country team of Allen Shin (21:02.2 - 148th), Manjit Singh (21:09.2 - 152nd), Mike Biscardi (21:15.6 - 153rd), Tin Chin (22:39.0 - 162nd), Joe Mazza (22:43.3 - 163rd) and Jason Geller (22:45.5 - 165th) competed at the County Championships on Saturday, Nov. 3. It was the first time the team qualified for the county meet in many years.

The Glen Cove Girls Soccer team finished the year with a strong 3-1 victory over Mepham. This year's squad was dominated by Seniors Stephanie Graziosi, Joanna Moccia, Jessica Stocker, Diana Langenbach, and Alexandra Ravener on the offense, while Lyndsey Testa, Meghan DeAngeles, Sara Dorfman and Laura Tripp shored up the defense. The team finished 4th overall in league play with a 5-6-3 record.

Even though the team is graduating nine seniors the future looks bright for up coming stars such as Chris Abbondonalo, Carla Genova, Vicky Hackett, Mara Isip, Amanda Moretto and Joan Starkman.

Football: 11/10 - Bethpage (Varsity Away - 2 p.m., JV home - 9:30)

Note: The Winter Sports Season begins with the first practice on Nov. 14.