I do agree that a few years ago it was a few ADs[ from a few schools] who caused the Rye Harrison non game. But it was all because of the amount of games the state allows. The CHSFL for example allows all teams a bye week so they can play a rival or a team out of state or just play an extra scrimmage.

The CHSFL by the way follows the same state federation rules as section 1. But the CHSFL counts there playoff tournament as one game. [ which is perfectly fine]. The State will not allow section 1 to do the same. For some reason they don’t think having 5000 + alumni , friends , family & locals come watch football on thanksgiving morning to be important & part of tradition. It is being very short sighted. I hope they don’t kill public school football;l with stupid interpretations of a rule. New Rochelle – Iona should be playing regardless of states. [Conn does it]they stop playoffs to allow it to happen for a week.

While I agree with the solution of cutting lower level games to preserve varsity contests, I cannot agree with your statement about NY State’s role in interupting the Rye/Harrison rivalry football game in the 2004 season.

In 2004 I lobbied in Rye and Harrison, generated petitons and letters from the two Boards of Education, the City of Rye, the Town of Harrison, the Rotary and Lions Clubs of each town, the RHS and HHS Student Government organizations and many, many other interested citizens and alumni. In person I made a presentation to the Section One Football Committee comprised of sectionwide ADs, superintendents and principals. In that presentation I was supported by the Rye and Harrison Superintendents, Athletic Directors and Football Coaches. The final appeal was made by me and the Rye Superintendent directly to the Executive Director of the NYSPHSAA (N. VanErk).

I can tell you personally that the one-year interuption of Westchester’s finest football rivalry was not precipitated by New York State or anyone at the state level. Rather it was the short-sightedness of the Eastchester and Ardsley Atheltic Directors and the Section One Class B football committee in doggedly adhering to the Piner Sytem that caused the one year hiatus.

In fact, although I did not hear it directly, I learned following the appeal process that word came down to Section One (Class B in particular) that there was a “problem” that needed fixing, and miraculously the game was reinstated for 2005. Thereafter whether Rye and Harrison were in different classifications (Harrison – A, Rye – B) or now together in Class A for 2009 the game has been scheduled annually. Next season (2010) will be the 80th contest going back into the 1920s.

If you are looking for the reason for the cancelation check with Kurowski of Eastchester and Roth of Ardsley, but don’t lay it at the feet of New York State of the NYSPHSAA.

Really?!?!?

The state playoffs have been around for how long now? 15 years, right?. Ask anyone who played football in Section 1 for the 60 plus years prior to state playoffs if they felt cheated because they were not allowed to participate in a state playoff.

I am surprised that the people running New York State football and more so the people running Section 1 put such a big emphasis on the State Playoffs. They have done everything they possible can to decrease the local rivalries, the number of games and pretty much everything associated with football in the state and section.

Everyone knows that the Stepinac – WP game will probably end at some time because of the short sightedness of NY State [ they did not want Rye – Harrison to play a few years back- what possible good reason would you want to cancel Rye & Harrison?]. Iona & Step have been talking about this possible game for years from what I have been told. Never know what may happen if the tradition ends this year it could be a start of a brand new one.

You’re absolutely right that the powers that be in Section 1 are a disgrace. Cutting back the number of games a team can play and limiting who they can play is absurd. It only hurts the kids.