Lawrence football had 16 players on its roster, and that group ended a four-year, 28-game losing streak
Anthony Martinez said the cramping started in the third quarter and never completely stopped.
The 6-3, 205-pound Lawrence senior played defensive end and offensive tackle in last week’s season opener at Oyster Bay/ Friends Academy.
Despite the heat and humidity, Martinez, who had nine tackles, never came off the field. Not for offense, defense or special teams. That’s what can happen when there are only 16 players on the game roster. Left Tackle Anthony Martinez Credit: Jeff Bachner
Lawrence High School (Cedarhurst) was in danger of not being able to field a team this season, joining two other schools, Port Jefferson and Amityville, which had to drop varsity football days before the season began because of a lack of players.
Lawrence was able to meet the state-mandated minimum for the season opener and managed to beat Oyster Bay/Friends Academy, 38-36, to snap the school’s losing streak at 28 games.
“It was hot and there was no one on the bench for my position,” Martinez said. “It was difficult. We were only 16 strong for our first game, so I had to push through for my team.”
Fast-forward to Wednesday’s practice. Martinez finished his sprints, took off his helmet, put on a pair of glasses and wiped the sweat from his brow.
When asked about the season opener, he closed his eyes and said, “I could only imagine getting that first win. And then we did it.”
The three-year varsity starter had endured only losses but stuck with the program. Lawrence will play its entire schedule on the road for the second straight season after its home field was deemed unplayable. Lawrence High School's football field in Cedarhurst on Sep. 16, 2026. Credit: Jeff Bachner
The deciding score in the win came on a two-point run by senior quarterback Khalil Brassell.
“I followed some great blocks right into the end zone,” Brassell said. “What a team win, finally. We traveled an hour and a half with just enough guys eligible to play the game. My senior year almost didn’t happen, and now we’re looking to make the playoffs.”
Brassell passed for three touchdowns, ran for a TD, totaled 317 yards of offense and contributed two game-changing interceptions.
“Everyone was cramping, both teams,” he said. “The game, the win, it’s something I’ll never forget. How we came together as one and made it happen. I’m so proud of my guys.”
Lawrence celebrated the victory on the long bus ride home after a game that almost didn’t happen.
“The superintendent believed in me and our coaching staff, and once we had the 16th guy eligible to meet the state standards for game requirements, she gave the OK,” said Lawrence coach Akym Land, who graduated from the school in 2017. “We were very close to forfeiting that first game. And I wasn’t going to let that happen to these boys.”
Lawrence school superintendent Ann Pedersen, who attended the opener, said she was proud of the football team.
“They played with so much heart,” she said. “And it was the dedication of the coaches and players that made that happen. I’m proud they got that first win. The coaches are alums and have pride in our program.”
Land, 27, is the youngest head football coach on Long Island. In his second year at the helm, he’s committed to returning the program to its past glory.
Lawrence won three straight Long Island Class III championships from 2012 to 2014. Land was the starting quarterback in 2016 when Lawrence lost to Roosevelt in the county semifinals. The Golden Tornadoes last won a county championship in 2017.
Land has 25 players at practice this week and said the team will be at full strength for a Nassau Conference IV game at Carle Place (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.
“Our practices are productive and the players are into it,” he said. “We’ll have everyone eligible for the next game, a full roster. But I am so proud of my guys — and that is an understatement. They finally saw their hard work pay off.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
