“I told [Robinson] to take his head off,” said Garcia, who played at John F. Kennedy.

He almost did just that. Rob VonBargen hit running back Terrell Williams over the middle near the Long Island 15-yard line and Robinson absolutely leveled him. New York City would force its opposition into a field goal and Robinson’s hit, which NYC quarterback Najee Tyler called the game’s most memorable play, was the reason why.

“I love practicing with him and playing with him,” Garcia said of Robinson.” His motor is always running.”

Unfortunately for the city, Nick Ferrara’s 35-yard field goal made the score 13-0 with two seconds left in the half. New York City could never really build on the monster hit by Robinson in a 31-14 loss to Long Island in the 14th annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge on Tuesday night at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium.

NYC’s defense gave up some big plays on mental errors, the biggest coming on Long Island’s first possession. Williams took a Gunnar Esiason hand-off 87 yards for the game’s first score.

“The long run was really surprising,” NYC defensive tackle Caraun Reid of Mount St. Michael. “I didn’t expect it. I barely saw the guy.”

But there was no doubt that the team’s defense kept it in the game. Curtis running back Naykwan Johnson fumbled twice on back-to-back possessions in the first half deep in Long Island territory. The first resulted in a Miguel Maysonet 19-yard score with 4:20 left in the half. The second time, Reid blocked Ferrara’s 45-yard field-goal attempt with 1:22 left in the second quarter.

“I don’t think you can block him unless you hold him,” Garcia said of Reid. … “Our defensive line was amazing.”

Long Island scored on a 2-yard pass from Dillon Boos to Stephen Murphy with 6:24 left in the third quarter, but didn’t get any more points until there was one minute left and the game was already decided.

“We had a hard time getting into our forward offense,” NYC coach and Port Richmond coach Lou Vesce said.

New York City pulled within 24-14 with 12:31 left in the game and, on the ensuing Long Island possession, St. Joseph by the Sea’s Teddy Clohessy picked off Williams, who was attempting a halfback pass. The city went three-and-out, though, and couldn’t capitalize. It was the epitome of a frustrating night for the squad.

“We tried our hardest,” Garcia said. “I can’t say we didn’t go out there and give it our all.”