Massapequa Ends Garden City's 68-Game Winning Streak in Thriller
A last-minute touchdown secured a 21-14 victory for Massapequa, ending Garden City's historic winning streak.
The Massapequa Chiefs have ended the Garden City Trojans' nation-leading 68-game winning streak with a dramatic 21-14 victory. The highly anticipated matchup, billed as Long Island's game of the century, was decided in the final seconds at Hofstra University.
With the score deadlocked at 14, Massapequa's defense made a crucial play when defensive lineman Ryan Chabus intercepted a pass. This set the stage for senior wideout Dylan Milio, who caught a 29-yard touchdown pass with just 30 seconds remaining in the game. The victory concluded a contest that had been discussed for months in Nassau County.
"It was definitely one of the closest games we’ve ever played in," Milio said. "It meant a little more because now we could break history." He described the end of the game as a blur amidst the cheers of nearly 6,000 fans.
The Garden City Trojans, coached by Dave Ettinger, had not lost a game since 2019. Their streak included five consecutive Long Island championships, and Ettinger had previously been invited to Super Bowl 60 and recognized as an NFL Coach of the Year. The team had maintained a focused approach to the season, with athletic director Ed Ramirez stating last week, "Ultimately, our goal isn’t about winning this game — it’s about putting ourselves in position to win the last game of the year."
This was the first-ever meeting between the two powerhouse teams, as they had historically competed in different conferences. Massapequa played in the largest conference, while Garden City competed at a smaller level. A recent rule change allowed for this crossover game. The Massapequa Chiefs also boast a significant winning record, with a 26-game streak and three consecutive Long Island championships at the highest conference level.
The game was postponed from Saturday to Monday due to a storm. Chabus reflected on the pivotal moment, stating, "Give extended credit to them — they came out to play. I knew I had to make a play. That’s what football players do. That’s what three-time Long Island champions do."