Anderwkavich stars in comeback bid

Bayside's Richie Parker knew that steely-eyed glare of confidence better than any on the offensive side of the ball. It had been a while, several years in fact, since he shared a huddle with Erik Anderwkavich, the Holy Cross quarterback.
But with the New York City team trailing by a pair of touchdowns midway through the final quarter in the 11th annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge All-Star high school football game - which raises money to fight cystic fibrosis and support youth and high school football programs - it brought a sense of relief. &#8220He was like, ‘we're about to make a comeback,' ” Parker recalled.
Parker remembered that swagger from years before, when the two played Pop Warner football in the Bayside Raiders organization. After Anderwkavich led two consecutive scoring drives, albeit in a 20-19 loss to the Long Island stars, Parker said it felt like old times. &#8220He's still the same,” Parker said. &#8220He does what he has to do.”
Holy Cross fans had seen it throughout the fall. With the game on the line, when a first down was needed, if the protection broke down, just call Anderwkavich's number. &#8220He wants the ball when it counts,” said his coach at Holy Cross, Tom Pugh. &#8220Not the first time I've seen him [take over a game].”
Queens was well represented in front of 10,156 at Hofstra University's James H. Shuart Stadium against Long Island's best. Three Bayside stars - Jovan Leacock, Parker and Dorson Boyce - were on hand, marking the first time the northeastern Queens school has ever sent three players to the game. St. Francis Prep halfback Jeff Aime, the school's all-time leading rusher, and the league's top back this fall, ran for 37 yards, sparking a second-quarter touchdown drive. His legendary coach, Vincent O'Connor, he of the 300 wins and 17 Catholic League titles, was honored with Boomer Esiason during a third quarter ceremony.
But it was Anderwkavich, the Catholic League's top passer in just his first year under center for the Knights, who prominently stood out. Splitting time with Lehman's Roberto DeLeon, Anderwkavich, the first Holy Cross signal-caller to play in the game, found his rhythm in the fourth quarter, orchestrating a textbook 11-play, 79-yard drive, capped by an 18-yard scoring strike to Daryle Bell that he fired between a pair of defenders. &#8220It's a great feeling, a great experience,” he said. &#8220It was a great honor to play in this game.”
Anderwkavich contributed on the final scoring drive as well, running for nine yards and completing a seven-yard pass. Unfortunately, after Andre Smith of New Dorp scored from four yards out, Klestor Pellumbi shanked the game-tying extra point.
Anderwkavich, nonetheless, showed the kind of future that may be on the horizon after he spends a year and a half at Alan Hancock junior college in Santa Maria, California. &#8220What a great quarterback,” beamed the city team's coach, Vincent Laino, who is also the head man at Fort Hamilton, the Public School champion. &#8220He got us back in the game. He made some big plays, threw some great passes.”
Anderwkavich was recruited by several Atlantic-10 schools, but he felt he could do better. The only way for that to happen, he says, is to improve and gain experience. &#8220I still need to work on my game,” Anderwkavich said. &#8220I feel that junior college will get me ready for the next level.”