For the second week in a row, No. 2N Lakeland had a tall task, as it traveled to No. 1S Clarkstown South, ranked No. 4 in the Class A state poll, on Friday evening in a Section 1 Class A Tournament semifinal contest.
The Hornets (6-4) hung tough, trailing just 3-0 at halftime, but the hosts outscored Lakeland 21-0 in the second half to secure a 24-0 victory and improve to 10-0.
It was nevertheless a historic season for Lakeland, which earned its third sectional semifinal appearance since the state playoffs began in 1993. The Hornets also reached the Class A semifinals in 2009 and the Class B semifinals in 2023.
Early in the second quarter, Gio LaPeruta (13 of 18 passing for 88 yards; 18 carries for 60 yards) rolled to his right and connected with Mike Lucia (four receptions for 37 yards, one tackle), who made a catch near the sideline for a 19-yard gain, moving the ball to the Vikings’ 31-yard line.
“The pass to Mike was a play we worked on all week in practice,” LaPeruta said. “I saw him open for a second and had to get the ball off. He made a great catch. It felt good to complete it and finally connect with him.”
Lakeland had a chance to extend the drive, but on fourth-and-11 from the Vikings’ 21-yard line, Clarkstown South intercepted a pass to end the drive.
Clarkstown South eventually reached the red zone, but back-to-back sacks by Lakeland’s Frank Imbrogno (six tackles) and Aidan Leonard (three tackles) forced the Vikings to settle for a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
The Vikings set the tone for the second half, opening the third quarter with a 67-yard, 11-play drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 10-0.
Clarkstown South sealed the victory with a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Despite the loss, it was a season to remember for Lakeland.
“Being a part of this team is something none of us will forget for the rest of our lives,” LaPeruta, a junior, said. “To be the first team ever to win a playoff home game at Lakeland, to beating Yorktown for the first time in 17 years on a crazy walk-off touchdown, to finally beating Mahopac, getting our revenge on Carmel and taking down the defending state champions Rye at home — after [losing to] Westlake game in Week 0 — no one expected us to do this but we expected ourselves to and we did.”
The Hornets credited their success to their belief in one another and their commitment to playing as a team throughout the season.
“This game didn’t go the way we wanted it to go but we had a historic year that we should never forget,” LaPeruta said. “I’m glad to play a part in all of this and thank you seniors.”
Mike Zumatto (5 rushes, 14 yards, 3 receptions, 29 yards, 6 tackles), Anthony Ray (3 receptions, 16 yards, 4 tackles), Chris Spence (3 rushes, 4 yards, 3 receptions, 5 yards, 2 tackles), Louis Murray (2 tackles, 1 for loss), Justin Zumbo (2 tackles) and Carter Ruggieri (1 tackle) also contributed to the Hornets’ effort.
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