Lake Park wins for its coaches

Just the sendoff Lake Park head coach Andy Livingston and defensive coordinator Bob Nihells were hoping for.

In front of a packed house that included numerous Lake Park football alumni, the Lancers earned a 26-19 victory against Metea Valley in the coaching duo's final home game.

“It's a beautiful thing to see all the kids that Bob and I have coached over the years, Livingston said. “It was quite a testament to the program.

Lake Park (2-6, 2-3 Upstate Eight Valley) proved from the get-go that it was out to make positive memories for Livingston and Nihells. The Lancers scored on each of their first two possessions in building a quick 14-0 advantage.

Sophomore Kevin Teglia and senior Keith Wilson each scored on the ground for Lake Park; Teglia on a 16-yard end around and Wilson on a 4-yard plunge.

“He's been a great coach. He's influenced things that I've done in my entire life, Lake Park linebacker Daryl Vittal said of Livingston. “Everything he's done has been nothing but a help to me, so I really wanted to get this win for him.

A 7-yard touchdown pass from Mustangs quarterback Jarrett House to Alex Hagemaster trimmed the Lancers' lead to 20-7 nearing the end of the third quarter. Metea Valley (1-7, 1-5) attempted to surprise the Lancers with an onside kick, but an alert Cole Sheeks fielded the kick at midfield and rumbled 50 yards for his first touchdown.

“I just kind of saw the ball coming at me, and I was getting ride to dive on it, a smiling Sheeks said. “Then I got a nice hop, so I just took it and ran.

“I was waiting to get brought down from behind and it didn't happen.

Sheeks' special-teams score loomed large for Lake Park, as House once again hooked up with Hagemaster near the end of the third quarter to the tune of a 55-yard touchdown.

“We got a little momentum, and we thought the surprise onside would have a chance, but, again, players didn't do their job, Mustangs coach Ted Monken said. “Next thing you know we have a game-changing play.

Hagemaster's third touchdown catch of the game pulled the Mustangs to 26-19, but Metea Valley could inch no closer. A 6-yard rush from Ronald Castaldo iced the game for Lake Park and ensured Livingston and Nihells would wake off the field for the last time in Roselle as winners exactly what Nihells had focused on.

“It was just another football game. I've been doing it for so long, I don't really look at the end, he said. “We were coming out here and trying to win a ballgame.