Springfield Gardens Homecoming Game Marred By Loss To Flushing In PSAL Varsity Football
BY DAN MILLER

Flushing Running Back Willie Lincifort (#20) takes a hand off from Quarterback Deon Frazier and scores one of his two touchdowns for the game. Photo by Dan Miller/DMD Images

Saturday October 20 was a big day at Springfield Gardens H.S. It was Homecoming, a day in which hundreds of former students from Springfield Gardens returned to their alma mater to meet old friends and acquaintances and see a football game.

This game saw the Springfield Gardens (1-5); play favored Flushing H.S. (5-1). was an opportunity for Springfield Gardens to turn their losing season around and an opportunity for Flushing to continue their march toward a playoff berth. Flushing scored the first two times had possession of the ball and by the end of the first quarter Flushing led, 12-0. The first Flushing score came on a 10-yard run by Running Back Willie Lincifort (No. 20). Lincifort later added another touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The second score of the game came on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Flushing Quarterback Deon Frazier (No. 22).

Flushing Coach James Di Santis gives the team some pointers during a team timeout and Flushing won its 6th game of the season bringing their record to 6- 1 and inching them close to a playoff birth. Photo by Dan Miller/DMD Images

Springfield Gardens scored a touchdown with 38 seconds left in the first half to make the score 12-6. Flushing's Anthon Bright, punt returner, took the kickoff that began the second half on his 20-yard line and scampered back 80 yards for the longest touchdown run of the day extending Flushing's lead 18-6.

In the third quarter Springfield gave their homecoming crowd something to cheer about. Emanuel Evans (No. 2) scored on a 28-yard touchdown run and the extra point was successful- leaving Springfield Gardens within 4 points of Flushing at 18-14. Each team scored one more time, giving students from both schools something to cheer about with Flushing leading as time ran out, 24-20.

The stat leaders for each team were: Springfield Gardens H.S. Quarterback Tyquan Ward with 4 completions in 6 attempts for 105 yards and one touchdown. His longest pass play was for 43 yards to Wide Receiver Jason Walker who had two receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Evans, who ran the ball 13 times for 51 yards and a touchdown, did the bulk of the rushing for Springfield Gardens. His longest run went for 29 yards. Teammate Alfred Felder ran the ball 5 times for 33 yards; his longest run went for 23 yards. On the receiving end, Walker caught 2 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown.

Flushing H.S. Quarterback Frazier completed 4 passes in 8 attempts for 24 yards. His longest pass was for 10 yards to Rumeal Washington.

The leading receiver for Flushing was Jordan Beranger, who made two catches for 15 yards. The heaviest load of the day for Flushing was on the ground by four of their runners who shared the spotlight. Lincifort rushed for 31 yards on 12 attempts and 2 touchdowns. Anthon Bright rushed 10 times for 29 yards, Junior Louissaint rushed for 20 yards on 3 attempts. Jordan Beranger ran for the most yards, 37 yards on 3 attempts.

Flushing's Malcolm Chichedster led all defenders with 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. His teammate, Deyvon Taylor had 5 tackles and one fumble recovery. Timothy Jackson and Tony Falconer each had 5 tackers and Derrick made 4 tackles for Flushing H.S. Teammate Jamel Hooks made 3 tackles and made the only fumble recovery for Flushing in the game.

Both coaches admitted that their teams made mistakes, but it was a hard-clean played game.

The head coach for winning Flushing H.S. told the Gazette that after the game he told his players that they have three games remaining in the season, all against teams ahead of them in the standings. Three wins over these teams could put Flushing H.S. into the playoffs.

Coach James De Santis also said they have to strike a balance in their personal lives, schoolwork, and football, "They are all important."