Truman Defeats Far Rockaway, 14-8 In OT
BY DAN MILLER

Far Rockaway Seahorses running back Gregory Irbe (#25) on his way to a 22 yard run against Truman. Greg led all rushers with 78 yards on 11 carries. Photos by Dan Miller/DMD IMAGES

On Saturday, October 13, as thousands of South Queens residents were preparing to participate in the annual Columbus Day Parade in Howard Beach, the Far Rockaway H.S. Sea Horses (2-3) and the Harry S. Truman H.S. Mustangs from The Bronx (4-1) put on a show for some 100 students, family and supporters who came out to cheer on their favorite players and teams.

The first quarter saw both teams trade punts and interceptions but fail to score points. Early in the second quarter, Truman Defender No. 2, Malik Williams, intercepted a pass from Far Rockaway quarterback Daniel Marc on his team's 15-yard line, cut to his right and rumbled 85 yards to the end zone. The two-point conversion was good, giving the Mustangs an 8-0 lead over the Sea Horses.

Far Rockaway scored its only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on a 60-yard bomb from Marc to receiver Tuesunimi Osunkoya. It was the longest passing play of the game and the receiver's only catch as well. The twopoint conversion was good, leaving both teams tied, 8-8. As time ran out, both teams looked as the overtime extra period as a new beginning to win the game.

Truman pulled the game out in an overtime touchdown run by Hector Sanabria. It was his second run of the day and won the game for Truman, boosting the Mustangs' record to an impressive 5-1.

The leading passer of the game was Far Rockaway quarterback Marc, who was 4-10 for 82 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The leading rusher for Truman was Ernstso Lafalaise, who had 10 rushes for 72 yards. For Far Rockaway, Gregory Ibe led all running backs on rushing for 78 yards on 11 carries, his longest going for 22 yards. Daniel Gittens was 13 for 41 yards, the longest going for 12 yards.

Far Rockaway led Truman in most stats except for the final score.

In an interview, Truman Assistant Coach John O'Brien said that he and Head Coach John Shepard had met four years ago when they began teaching English at Truman on the very same day. They became friends immediately and coached junior varsity boys' football for two seasons before taking over the varsity football team last year.