Bellmore JFK football's Ryan Finkelstein kicks 42-yard FG to help key win over Valley Stream Central
Bellmore JFK's Nico Pasquariello celebrates with teammates after scoring against Valley Stream Central during a Nassau Conference II football game on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Valley Stream. Credit: Derrick Dingle
Ryan Finkelstein’s mom drove him from Oyster Bay to Valley Stream to make the second game of his two-sport doubleheader. The center back had helped Bellmore JFK’s soccer team forge a morning tie, and now he had a chance to kick an afternoon exclamation point for the football team.
That would be the clinching field goal Saturday against Valley Stream Central. Only this attempt was 42 long yards away on Valley Stream Memorial Junior High’s turf. The junior had never made one from that distance for the Cougars.
“Honestly, I didn’t even want to think about where it was,” Finkelstein said. “I just knew to take my steps and go wherever my holder wanted me to . . . I’m a soccer player. They were all telling me that I was sealing the game with this kick, and I had no idea if I actually was or not.”
Finkelstein sailed the ball through the uprights with 1:29 left to make it a two-possession game. Bellmore JFK walked away with a 24-13 Nassau II win.
The special teams' effort complemented a great ground game that rolled up 374 yards and a defense that made some big stops at big moments.
So the Cougars moved to 3-2 in their playoff push with their second straight victory. They also have a forfeit win coming Oct. 30 because Jericho has shut down its season.
“We’re happy to still have the season under our control where we don’t have to rely on anybody else’s wins or losses to kind of put us where we want, which we haven’t been in that position in quite a while this late in the season,” coach Johnny McGuire said. “So that’s good.
“We’re battling a ton of injuries [with seven starters down] . . . That’s a testament to the guys’ hard work. They had a great spring, a great summer, a great preseason. We get kids a ton of reps, and it’s starting to show.”
Nico Pasquariello helped power the running. The junior fullback rolled up 138 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
“I just love playing football,” Pasquariello said. “Any yard I can get, I’m always going to fight for those extra yards.”
Senior quarterback Dylan Babek carried for 108 yards and a score on 10 carries. And junior running back Ethan Reiner rushed seven times for 58 yards and a TD.
“Great day for the backfield in general,” Pasquariello said.
Evan Nelson threw for 179 yards and a touchdown and ran for 110 and a touchdown for the Eagles. The senior quarterback carried the ball in from the 5 with 5:34 left, cutting the deficit to 21-13.
But the Cougars’ defense had its moments. Senior defensive end C.J. Siegler stood out in the crowd with two sacks, one on a fourth down, and he had a fourth-down pressure.
“The defense, we all just know how to play together,” Siegler said. “All hats to the ball.”
It was 7-7 in the second quarter, and then Babek ran the ball in from the 3. Then Reiner turned the right corner and raced it in from the 14. It was 21-7 at halftime.
Valley Stream Central was headed for its second straight loss after a 3-0 start.
Homecoming Day for the Eagles had started with a touching gesture.
Ryan Icart was a three-year varsity lineman from the Class of 2026. He died in August due to a blood clot. His parents and two siblings were honorary guests for the coin toss.
“It was a beautiful moment,” VSC coach Tom Schiavo said. “I feel terrible that we didn’t get a win for them.”
