Will Stanback had an early morning flight to Florida on Wednesday to begin the next chapter of his career.
He closed the old chapter in fine fashion, scoring four touchdowns to lead Long Island to a 40-8 victory over New York City in the 18th annual Empire Challenge at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium Tuesday night.
The Uniondale standout had 12 carries for 138 yards, rushing for three touchdowns and adding an 18-yard score on a hook-and-lateral as the Island claimed bragging rights for a third straight year in the all-star game that benefits the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
“It was great,” said Stanback, who was named the game’s MVP. “I just wanted to really come out here and leave with a bang. I just felt so good about coming out here and participating in this game.”
William Floyd quarterback A.J. Otranto rushed for a 9-yard touchdown to put Long Island in front, 6-0, with 11:07 left in the opening quarter.
A 39-yard pass from Connetquot’s Brian McKean to Scott D’Antonio from Garden City set up the Island’s second score as McKean ran in a 5-yard score to put Long Island in front, 13-0, with 8:18 left in the second quarter.
Stanback scored his first touchdown with 12:38 left in the second quarter, receiving the flick from Sachem East’s Brian Balsamo, who caught a pass from McKean. Stanback ran for the 18-yard score to extend the Long Island lead to 19-0.
“It makes me feel good on the inside because I actually got to produce and help out for the team,” Stanback said
Stanback wasn’t done there. He capped an 8-play, 45-yard drive with a 1-yard TD as Long Island went in front, 26-0, with 9:14 left in the third.
Stanback’s third touchdown was his most impressive, an 87-yard burst that is tied for the second longest in the all-star game’s history. It extended LI’s lead to 33-8 with 12:40 left in the fourth quarter.
Stanback added a 10-yard score with 5:46 left in the fourth quarter to cap a record night for the running back.
While Stanback highlighted an offense that produced 343 total yards of offense, a Long Island record, the defense was stout.
Newfield’s James Manginelli had a pair of first-half sacks, Bay Shore’s Ousmane Camara and Riverhead’s Jeff Pittman had five tackles apiece and Pittman, Farmingdale’s Mike Gregorovic, Nick Aponte from West Islip and Ryan Dippel from Sachem East each had an interception.
Camara, who will play at Stony Brook next year, came up with a big goal-line stop in the fourth quarter, stuffing Boys & Girls quarterback Keon Marsh on fourth down for a loss of two.
“Long Island is coming up now, we’re getting known in football,” Manginelli said. “It shows. We just won three years in a row so it’s got to mean something here.”
