As the school year’s fall sports season comes to an end, many teams are looking to lock up the top spots in their divisions, hopefully giving them an easy road through the playoffs. For the Lynbrook Owls football team, it is just a matter of survival. With only two games remaining in the regular season, the Owls, with a record of 2-4, are currently in possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in Conference III. After starting off the season with a loss to the Bethpage Golden Eagles, the Owls responded with a convincing 33-14 win over cross-town rival Hewlett at the Homecoming game. The Owls followed that up with a win against Glen Cove, but losses to Roosevelt, Wantagh, and Valley Stream North have forced the Owls into a do-or-die scenario. The Owls will likely have to win both of their remaining games against Lawrence and Roslyn in order to make the playoffs.

When asked how the team would respond with their backs against the wall, junior offensive lineman Jimmy Murray commented, “Our team doesn’t lack inspiration; I have no doubt that we will be able to get fired up and play our best football this weekend in honor of [Coach] Dank.” Jennifer Dankenbrink, a math teacher and coach at LHS, was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma last spring, and is currently on leave from the school. The Owls hope to use this extra motivation for Coach Dank to vault them into the playoffs.

“We will need help from some other games and have to beat at least one of the best two teams [in the conference],” says Head Coach Steven LoCicero. “If we play as a team, we still have a chance to make the playoffs.”

One of the biggest factors for the Owls will be the playing of senior starting quarterback Tommy O’Brien. O’Brein, normally a wide receiver, switched positions after junior QB Jack Fagen was sidelined for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. If the Owls want to go anywhere this season, they will need to play smart, high-quality football, and it all starts with O’Brien.

“Although many people may not see it due to a record we weren’t hoping for, this team is loaded with talent. Tom O’Brien is a great quarterback, and his offensive line has total faith in him. We have a strong defense led by [Matt] Renz and [Captain Thomas] Urena. On offense we have threats like [running back James] Gillespie and [running/defensive back] Jonathan Cabral-Martin. And, it seems as if the fans are behind the Owls as well,” says Murray.

“I really hope they make the playoffs; they’ve worked so hard all year,” says freshman Julio Torres.

“I love watching them play, and I can’t wait to see what they do for the rest of season. If any team deserves to make the playoffs, it’s this team,” mentions junior Harrison Glassman. “This team has come together this season and truly shown us what it means to be a family,” adds Glassman.

So, will the Owls be able to rally and sneak into the playoffs? And if they do, will they be able to make a deep postseason run? For now, all fans can do is sit back, relax, and enjoy what will undoubtedly be two weeks of hard fought football.