He fabulous play of the Great Neck North Blazer football team in the early games has brought a renewed spirit and local fan support sadly lacking in recent years when results on the field were less than glowing. This squad has started off with a 3-0 record, a feat accomplished just twice previously since 1972 (that time finished 5-3) and the undefeated 1989 squad of 7-0 while the standout 8-0-1 aggregate of 1975 opened with a 0-0 tie.

Our boys have triumphed in substantial fashion over Roslyn, Lynbrook and Plainedge, outscoring its opponents by a combined 68-12 margin, yielding only to Floral Park and Roosevelt to date in fewest points allowed, among 56 Nassau County schools. While the tough part of the schedule lies ahead with higher seeded teams looming as upcoming adversaries to be reckoned with, the locals stand prepared to exhibit an aggressive high leveled effort game after game.

Here are brief accounts of the first three games.

North 42 - Roslyn 0

Home Sept. 16

The opener against the 14th seeded Bulldogs can be looked upon as payback time, remembering Roslyn's 35-7 thumping of the Blazers in last season's finale, their only victory in eight games.

North blew the game open with a rush, beginning with a 50-yard return of the opening kickoff by Gregg Hayim to the Roslyn 38. On the third scrimmage play following Joel Sussman's 10-yard dive to the 28, Elroy Lewis burst around left end for the distance, also adding a two-point conversion run, putting the Blazers on the board by 8-0 with 10:43 still left on the first period clock.

Following a Blazer pass interception by Arthur Athens after two Roslyn plays near midfield, the locals drove to the Roslyn 7 featuring power runs by fullback Dan Goldberg totaling 29 yards. Set back by a holding penalty, a 31-yard field goal attempt by Elliot Navo came up short, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs on their 20.

For the balance of the first half, North continued to dominate with over-powering ground attack with just one incomplete pass by Sussman interrupting a continuous flow of running plays. Sussman, Goldberg and Lewis were the heavy-dutied ball carriers in this period, combining for 240 rushing yards including touchdowns from Sussman (23 yard run), Lewis (a five-yard scamper off tackle) and Goldberg (four yards up the middle). Three conversion kicks added by Navo gave the locals 29-0 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs made early third period headway following receipt of North's opening kickoff, using the running of James Lowder and Mike Librett under the direction of QB Jarred Dease to pick up two first downs before stalling on fourth down to the Blazer 27.

After Goldberg darted a yard to his own 28, Sussman brought the crowd to its feet, bursting through left tackle, then exploding down the sideline for a 72-yard TD romp at 8:19 of the third quarter. A wide conversion attempt by Navo left the score at 35-0. With 3:50 left in the same period, Hayim concluded the Blazer scoring parade, speeding 38 yards untouched to the end zone upping the score to 42-0 following Navo's conversion kick. The remaining action featured understudy Jeremy Nikfarjam at quarterback with Matt Schmalacker and Elliot Ross getting in their licks with running plays.

Total offense added up to 412 yards on the ground in 40 carries spread among six backs, topped by Sussman with 163 in nine carries, Goldberg (15-99) and Lewis (6-53, all in the first half). Sussman and Shuto Oikawa on defense contributed to 25 tackles.

North 12 - Lynbrook 6

Home Sept. 23

Though the Blazers came out ahead on the scoreboard, making the most of their short-lived ball possession, it was a sturdy test against the Owls who ran off in excess of 80 plays from scrimmage with over 30 minutes of ball controlling action.

As in the first game, Elroy Lewis almost the whole show for the locals opening the scoring with an 80-yard TD run following a Lynbrook punt to the end zone for a touchback with 4:40 left in the first period. A blocked Lynbrook punt by North's Alex Shaoul in deep Owl territory set up another short TD scamper of three yards by Lewis early next period giving the Blazers a 12-0 halftime lead with both extra points missed.

A battle of defenses on both sides livened up second half action with Sussman taking top honors for the locals, contributing to an amazing 27 tackles, 15 of these being solo efforts. The visitors had two lengthy drives halted by turnovers, not far from scoring territory. Starting the fourth quarter, halfback Gerry Gordon finally broke a tackle on a wide running play to scoot unbridled for a 38-yard excursion for a Lynbrook score setting the final score at 12-6. Two later deep gestures by the Owls to North territory came up short as the Blazers held on for the win.

Lewis again led the Blazer running attack with 124 yards in 13 carries while Sussman and Goldberg added 58 more for a 182 offensive yardage total.

North 14 - Plainedge 6

Away Sept. 28

For the first time this season, the Blazers had to come from behind to gain their ultimate victory, waiting until the final seven minutes to tally two quick TDs for the win. Failing to gain ground in its first possession, "Colorado" Athens had a fourth down punt into a stiff wind carry only to the Blazer 35. Two runs of 30 and 5 yards by Plainedge junior Mike Cervini gave the Red Devils a quick score at 9:21 of the opening period. Missing the extra point, it was to prove to be a frustrating afternoon for the home team as their 6-0 lead stood for three quarters after loosing two fumbles, having a pass intercepted and a blocked punt by North's Marvin Aroche giving the Blazers their scoring chance. The payoff was a (Joel) Sussman to (Ken) Sussman 14 yard pass connection at 6:59 remaining followed shortly by a 38-yard scoring run by Elroy Lewis to wrap it up for the Blazers.

Once again the opposition held back the insurgent Blazer offense with excessive possession time limiting North to only 160 yards of total offense. Lewis lugged the pigskin for 127 rushing yards in 14 carries while Joel Sussman completed his first two passes in 12 tries. Plainedge managed 200 yards of offense with 144 yards rushing and 56 yards passing on 10 of 13 pass completions.