For Travis – LIC wins first-place showdown for fallen teammate

The motivation for Saturday afternoon's game against McKee Staten Island Tech wasn't in the standings, where the two teams reside atop the Cup Division. It wasn't revenge for the tough six-point decision to the Seagulls last year in a season full of devastating setbacks.
The impetus was actually in another borough, sitting in a northwestern Queens apartment, with a fresh cast engulfing his leg.
Travis Howell, Long Island City's dynamic senior wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner, broke his left fibula while returning a kick, one he wasn't even supposed to take, said LIC Coach Stephen Agresti, in last week's win over Truman.
Still, the Bulldogs managed to continue their winning ways, topping MSIT, 20-7, in a game that wasn't even as close as the score may indicate, to take over the top spot in the Cup Division. &#8220I told everybody,” said senior quarterback-safety Haris Lekaj, &#8220we were for real this year.”
It was another typical LIC Saturday afternoon - explosive plays and stout defense. Troy Walker, the sophomore wide receiver, caught a 75-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the first half. Lekaj, the team's unquestioned leader, threw two touchdowns and ran for another in addition to his 10 tackles and an interception on defense; halfback Omar Mohran enjoyed another productive day running the ball, including a 47-yard scamper that set up the game's first touchdown; and the defense, led by Milton Rosario (7 tackles, 1 sack) and Lekaj, staved off MSIT (4-1) in the first half despite two long drives into the red zone.
&#8220Last year they were a good team, but they weren't a family,” Walker said. &#8220We're family right now.”
Like a family dealing with a crisis, they came together, buoyed by the inspiration of Howell, who was given the game ball when the team returned to Long Island City.
&#8220He gives 110 percent every time he goes out there,” Agresti said. &#8220Today, I asked all my players to give me 110 percent; play the way Travis played; and we'd be victorious, and I was right.”
Alas, it had been an emotional week for Long Island City, without &#8220the heart of the team,” as Walker put it, in the biggest game of the year, and perhaps three years, dating back to their first-round playoff loss in 2004. &#8220To have him not here really hurt us,” Walker said, &#8220but it really motivated us. It just helped us come together and be No.1. This game was all about motivation.”
LIC moved down to the Cup Division, the PSAL's lower level, after dropping 12 of 15 games the last two years. But now the Bulldogs (5-0) are all alone in first place, with dreams of a title floating through their heads.
&#8220I know it's the Cup level, but you can't take anything away from them,” he said. &#8220They're a fantastic team.”
Lekaj took it one step further. &#8220We will take any team in the city, in the country, in the state, I don't care,” he said. &#8220I guarantee you we win a championship.”