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Far Rock and Beach Channel’s Seasons End


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BC’s Wade Bagwell celebrates one of his two rushing TDs. Photo by Ryan Schwach

The seasons for the Beach Channel Dolphins and Far Rockaway Seahorses football squads have both come to an end with first round playoff exits for both teams. 

Both faced higher seeds (no lower seed won in the entire B Division bracket), Far Rock the 10-seed, faced off against Frank J. Macchiarola High School, losing 8-0. Beach Channel also had their game in Brooklyn, the 12 seed going against 5-seed South Shore. Channel took a lead into the final minutes, but came up short, losing to the Vikings 18-16. 

Going into the playoffs, however, both schools went on unprecedented runs. 

After dropping the first game they played against Grand Street Campus, Far Rock won out, winning their five remaining games to finish 6-1 with the Channel forfeit on the first scheduled game of the year. 

Defensively, Far Rock was on another level, only allowing 12 points combined in every game not called Grand Street. They shutout Adlai Stevenson, Evander Childs, and August Martin.

Senior Davonte Stanley finished the season with a pair of sacks and 32 tackles in five games, Talik Cohen had two interceptions. 

Offensively, the QB-WR connection of Justin Viera and Arony Lewis lit up scoreboards. Lewis, who accounted for 13 total touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams, caught six of Viera’s seven total TD passes on the season. 

In total, Viera threw for 681 yards. Lewis caught 440 yards and added another 101 on the ground. 

Far Rock’s Arony Lewis (Center) scored 13 touchdowns. Photo by Mark Bacchus

Lewis and Viera will return next season as seniors. 

Lead running back, senior Sam Adekanbi contributed 323 rushing yards and three scores. 

Coach Walter Wilkerson commended his defense, which he called the “Brightest spot” and assistant Coach Mark Bacchus for their play this season. 

“I feel good about our record,” he said, especially when their record last year was 1-6. “I’m proud of the season we had.” 

Far Rock’s uptown rivals went on a similar streak. The Dolphins had to forfeit two games, one against Far Rock due to personnel issues, and one to August Martin. Channel took the field five times in the regular season, and won all five. Defensively, they held opponents to less than two scores, and never scored less than 24 themselves.  

Channel will be losing its senior core of QB Wade Bagwell, RB Jymeek Brooks, WR Jared Alexander, and Lineman Logan Kase. 

Bagwell finished eight passing touchdowns and two rushing, and added two picks on defense. 

Jared Alexander caught all eight of those touchdowns, for 330 yards on the season. 

Brooks rushed 334 yards for four touchdowns. 

Logan Kase had 27 tackles and 2 sacks on defense. 

However, Channel’s backfield will be well taken care of with Hunter Gardner and Archie Chatman, who will return next season. 

Coach John Crawford said if you told him in August that the team would go on the run they did that he’d call you a liar. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed being around these guys, it was fun,” he said. “I could not be more proud of my guys.” 

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