Brett Makar sparks complete Yorktown effort

CROSS RIVER - Outside of a few penalties too many, Yorktown's season opener almost resembled an effort from late October. The Huskers weren't just productive offensively, they were stingy on defense and stout on special teams.

Yorktown's complete effort led to a thorough 44-21 victory at John Jay High School that saw the Huskers unveil several new weapons.

Brett Makar made a smooth transition into the running back role held by Nick Santavicca, the school's all-time leading rusher. Makar rushed for 210 yards and three scores and recorded three sacks to lead Yorktown to a 23-7 lead.

Makar had help from returning quarterback Jose Boyer and newcomer Brandon Meyreles, who caught a 66-yard pass on third-and-14 on the opening drive to set up Makar's first touchdown. Meyreles later recovered a fumble and also added a 61-yard kickoff return to spark another scoring drive.

The Huskers (1-0) allowed John Jay (0-1) to move the ball through the air, but their run defense and pass rush more than accounted for that. In addition to Makar's sacks, they received a pair of first-half sacks from lineman Matt Steigmeier.

Even kicker Giulianno Santucci connected on a 36-yard field goal to give Yorktown a 23-7 lead. The kick responded to John Jay's first flash of hope, a 1-yard touchdown run by lineman Shahe Katchadurian. The big man's plunge was set up when Nate Fischer forced a fumble by sacking Boyer and teammate Nils Carlson recovered it at the Yorktown 9.

Player of the game: Brett Makar, Yorktown. The junior not only channeled Santavicca without a hitch, he contributed in all phases, blitzing John Jay quarterbacks Matt Lee and Bryce Ford from outside linebacker to record three sacks. He also rushed for his 210 yards and three scores on just 18 carries.

Stat line: Yorktown compiled 240 yards of offense on just 26 plays in the first half. The Huskers finished with 437 yards. ... Boyer finished 5 for 10 for 172 yards and a score. Meyreles had two catches for 80 yards and Dominick Cioffi caught a 65-yard touchdown and rushed for 44 yards and a pair of second-half scores. ... Lee went 20 for 37 for 218 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Rieger had seven catches for 76 yards.

Quotable: "I had a conversation before with Brett and said, 'You know what's cool about being you right now, you're not on the football radar,'" Yorktown coach Mike Rescigno said. "I said, 'They are going to know who you are today,' and he did it."

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