Long Island City Football Edges Falcons with Overtime Heroics from Fuiaxis, Hernadez 

August Martin High School football head coach Kyle Allen and Long Island City High School standout junior receiver Billy Fuiaxis engaged in a bit of playful sideline banter during their game Saturday afternoon.

But Fuiaxis had the last laugh. He caught a pass near the sideline from sophomore quarterback Timothy Hernadez, who completed seven throws on 13 attempts for 65 yards, and shed a few would-be tacklers en route to a 20-yard touchdown and eventual 6-0 overtime PSAL AAAA Conference win at Long Island City High School Field.

“My offense called a great play,” said Fuiaxis, who had two receptions for 29 yards, and made five tackles and had a sack. “I ran an out route, and my QB, Timothy Hernadez, threw me a great pass, and I love him for that. I knew I was going to get in (the end zone). We got the W, and we’re on to next week.” 

Bulldogs head coach Joseph Giardina was obviously ecstatic over the victory, refusing to let this tilt slip through their collective grasps, especially after putting in a tireless effort preparing for the game over the week. 

Last week, Long Island City (2-1-1) picked up its first win of the season after Evander Childs forfeited. So, he noted, this was an important affair to the team, to say the least. 

“Proud is understatement. We wanted this game really bad,” Giardina said with conviction. “This is our first official win of the season. These guys worked hard. These guys have long hours. It was a little bit of letdown last week, so these guys have been hungry. Got to (give) credit to our defense. I can’t even name one guy on the defense because everyone played fantastic. Coach Rodgriguez did a hell of a job with them.” 

Though the Bulldogs’ defense played well, Giardina said their offense could have put forth a better performance, especially the offensive line. However, Long Island City scored when it needed to. 

“Offensively, our offensive line struggled a little bit, but they got it when it counted,” he said. “Timmy took a few good licks today, but he’s a tough guy. He stepped up, threw to Billy, and he made a few guys miss, and put it in the end zone.”  

It was anything but a flawless game. Both teams fumbled five times; the Falcons three times and the Bulldogs twice, killing momentum on several offensive drives for both squads. 

As for August Martin (1-2-1), its defense performed well, Allen commented. But its offense has not scored in nine quarters. It has not helped that standout running back Giovanni Faulkner has been limited due to a sore ankle. 

“We can’t generate any offense without Gio being 100 percent,” Allen explained. “We have one offensive weapon. Our quarterback is really struggling and Gio is hurt. We’re a whole different team without Gio, offensively. But our defense is lights out. We’ll have to figure something out soon.”  

Long Island City will travel to Jamaica Sunday at noon, while the Falcons will play Springfield Gardens at its home Sunday at 12:00 p.m. as well.  

– Jerry Del Priore