Island Trees’ Lukas Bazelais helps football team roll in season opener

Friday night, under the lights, home opener. The Island Trees football team was in its element.

Island Trees had no issue putting a tally in the win column in Levittown during its first Nassau Conference IV matchup against East Rockaway, a 41-15 victory.

In the team’s second annual Patriot Game, observed on the closest scheduled game to Sept. 11, the Bulldogs donned red, white and blue uniforms.

“Our Patriot Game is a big night for us,” coach Ryan Vinberg said. “East Rockaway is always a tough team, but we showed up for this and for a cause.”

While both teams shook off the rust in the first quarter, it did not take the Bulldogs long to find their groove. About halfway into the quarter, quarterback Sean Navarrete found tight end Ryan Mabrouk going deep to connect for a 50-yard score. Mabrouk then kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead. 

From then on, the Bulldogs were unstoppable. In a big second quarter, runners picked apart holes in the East Rockaway defense to find the end zone three times. With 6:28 left in the first half, running back Lukas Bazelais broke free for an explosive 88-yard touchdown run that it made it 13-0 and had the crowd on its feet. Markus Bazelais, Lukas’ younger brother, and Navarrete also found the end zone, earning 19-yard and 17-yard scores, respectively.

Navarrete said plays don’t always go to plan, but his team’s ability to adapt, especially this early in the season, is what he thinks is most important.

“We were a little bit sloppy,” Navarrete said. “I wasn’t supposed to be running the ball on that touchdown, so we still have some things to clean up, but this was a great team win.”

Island Trees put up 34 unanswered points before quarterback Michael Tizio was able to break the ice for East Rockaway. Late in the third quarter, the senior found a lane to rush for a 15-yard touchdown and put the Rocks on the board.

“We’re always striving to get better,” said Bazelais, who rushed for a 56-yard touchdown in the third quarter. “I’ve got something to play for. No backing down, no negative thoughts, I’m going out there and I’m ready to play every time I step on the field.”