August Martin Football Survives LIC Comeback, Advances to Semifinals

The August Martin High School football team had jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first half of its first-round PSAL A Conference playoff game against Long Island City (L.I.C.).

While the fourth-seeded Bulldogs (5-4) battled back and scored 16 unanswered points in the second half, the No. 5 Falcons held on for the win Sunday at L.I.C. High School Field.

It was August Martin’s first postseason victory since 2021, and one of head coach Kyle Allen’s most celebrated triumphs at the helm of a football program, he noted.

“I would have to say it was the biggest win of my coaching career,” Allen, a long-time football coach, said via phone.

The victory was the fifth straight for a surging squad whose head coach said it has yet to peak.

“I feel our best has yet to be played,” he said. “But that’s exciting because we can be even better.”

Junior David Bennett, who ran for 83 yards on 16 touches, rushed for a touchdown and a 6-0 advantage in the second quarter. Next, senior James Toney picked off a Timothy Hernedez pass inside the opposition’s 10-yard line and returned it for a TD and a 12-0 advantage midway through the second period.

Toney’s heroics would come into play again. After Rowayne McKenzie (five tackles to sacks) forced a fumble on a strip sack, Toney scooped up the ball deep in their own territory and proceeded to bolt for a 91-yard touchdown. Bennett made good on a two-point rush for a 20-point lead late in the second period.

However, the Falcons (6-3) fumbled the opening second half kickoff and Long Island City later hit paydirt, followed by the ensuing two-point conversion that sliced the deficit to 20-8 in the third quarter.

On third and 32, the Bulldogs scored on a blown August Martin defensive assignment that narrowed the margin to 20-16 after the successful two-point conversion with three minutes remaining in the contest.

But the Falcons’ defense clamped down on two separate Long Island City drives in the final minutes of the game to seal the win and the semifinal appearance for August Martin.

Bulldog junior Carter Dumas led all running backs with 139 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. Falcon junior Zidane Peart recorded a game-high 12 stops.

Though August Martin bested Long Island City, Allen felt it was necessary to tip his hat to the home team for their spirited effort, making a point to bestow credit to gifted two-way junior student-athlete Billy Fuiaxis, who amassed 88 yards of offense with a score and made three tackles.

“Those kids (Bulldogs) played their hearts out,” the Brooklyn native said with emphasis. “That kid (Billy) has more heart than any player in the city. He may not be the best (player in the city), but he is all heart,” adding that attribute and his talent will take him a long way on the gridiron.

The Falcons will travel to Staten Island to face top-seeded Petrides Sunday at noon for a PSAL A Conference semifinal matchup.

— Jerry Del Priore