Lynbrook football's Chase Samelson throws two TD passes, runs for another in win over Malverne
Lynbrook quarterback Chase Samelson passes while being protected by Michael Potash during a Nassau Conference IV football game against Malverne in Lynbrook on Friday. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
As the new kid on the block in Nassau Conference IV, Lynbrook understood just how important its first impression was going to be.
The Owls defeated Malverne, 42-13, in their season opener at Marion Street School in Lynbrook on Friday. Lynbrook got off to the best start imaginable when senior Jake Brenneis took the short opening kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown, spotting his crew a 7-0 lead after the extra point just 15 seconds into the game.
“It just gave us momentum from the start,” Brenneis said. “We knew it was going to be a good day from there. It helped all the boys settle in and come together as a team. The rest of the game showed that.”
Lynbrook’s stout defense protected the early lead perfectly by not allowing a first down in the first quarter. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Chase Samelson and his group went to work and put the game out of reach early.
Samelson ran right through the middle on an option play and broke several tackles on the Owls’ opening drive, rumbling 24 yards to Malverne's 9-yard line. He lofted a perfect pass on first-and-goal to the back-right corner of the end zone where senior Miles Storm caught it for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Two possessions later, Samelson hit senior Michael Potash in stride out of the backfield on a wheel route on third-and-10. Potash took it 39 yards for the score.
On their next drive, with a short field, Samelson got them back into the end zone in just two plays. He followed his seven-yard run with a 19-yard touchdown sprint off the right side to make it 28-0. Once Lynbrook got the ball back, it scored in just two plays, with Potash turning the right corner and scoring from 33 yards away.
A running clock was put into effect with Lynbrook leading 35-0 with 8:03 left in the second quarter. Lynbrook’s starters went back out for one more drive and were pulled in the second half.
Samelson finished 4-of-6 passing for 69 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He rushed five times for 72 yards and a score.
“I was really excited for this — I’ve been working all summer,” Samelson said. “After the opening kickoff, I knew this would be a big day. It was lots of fun. Friday night, the student section was unlike it’s been the past couple of years; I couldn’t ask for much more. I think it’s going to be a fun year.”
Potash had three touches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
“We can’t get comfortable, it’s just Week 1,” Potash said. “We’ve got a tough schedule ahead of us, but we’re here to compete in Conference IV, and this is how we make our statement. We’ve been working for this moment since November, and we’re here to stay in Nassau IV. We’re going to make our name known.”
Brenneis added one reception for 11 yards and two rushes for 31 yards. Senior Brandon Scala added an interception and a 66-yard punt return. Senior Michael Abatantuno had a tackle-for-loss and the game’s only sack.
Malverne sophomore Cameron Wesley ran 18 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Jace Richards had an interception.
Mike Anderson is a high school sports reporter who has covered 12 sports so far at Newsday. He was the sports editor of Stony Brook University's campus newspaper for two years.
