The lead to today’s Fifth Quarter focuses on Carmel, one of the biggest of the 2010 season so far. Through three weeks, the Rams are 1-2. They games have been decided by a grand total of eight points after a four-point loss to Fox Lane and a three-point loss to John Jay-East Fishkill, and last Friday night’s thrilling 27-26 OT victory over Ketcham.
I talked to coach Todd Cayea yesterday. He said the first two weeks were rife with frustration but the team has found some stability. It starts with what is always Carmel’s most glorified position: the quarterback. Senior Christian Sookedo didn’t start the opener against Fox Lane but has been solid since coming off the bench. He threw for 201 yards and a touchdown against Ketcham.
The Rams are young, and some of their early struggles can be linked to mistakes. For example, they gained about 300 yards of offense against JJEF but scored just three points in a 6-3 loss.
Last Friday, Carmel was the team that forced the mistakes. Down 20-0 in the second quarter against Ketcham, Mark Nicotera recovered a fumble on a punt and it helped his team get on the board. Then, senior captain Aaron Smith intercepted a pass to set up the tying TD.
OT sounded like it was pretty action packed. First, Carmel had a field goal blocked on the last play of regulation. But the team responded with a quick score by Bryant Wiggins and an extra point. Aaron Morganstern struck back with a 25-yard run but was stuffed on the subsequent two-point try.
Was it the type of game Carmel could lose? Absolutely. But maybe the Rams were owed one. “As easily as we could be 0-3, we could be 3-0, too,” Cayea said.
I touch on a few other items in the Fifth Quarter, including:
— Iona Prep’s Sidney Weston did his best Jeff Mack impersonation on Sunday, scoring five TDs in the first half of a 52-6 rout over St. Francis Prep. But Weston is committed to helping Iona maintain its momentum, so he’s no longer thinking about what was easily the best day of his high school career.
“My five touchdowns and 130 yards, that’s out the window for me,” said Weston, who started at outside linebacker as a sophomore and strong safety as a junior before shifting into Mack’s old role. “I’ve already forgotten I even did that. I’m just worried about Holy Cross right now.”
— Despite a small break in his fibula, Terrelle Eaton could return as soon as next week against New Rochelle. The 240-pound White Plains senior will meet with his doctor early next week to be reevaluated.
Eaton suffered the injury on the first drive of the second half against Lincoln in Week 2 as he tried to twist out of a tackle. He rushed for 269 yards and scored five touchdowns in just six quarters of work this season, but the Tigers feel good about Eaton’s replacement. It’s actually his runningmate, Khadrey Merot, who was expected to receive his share of carries. Instead, the senior saw limited work on offense the first two games because of a shoulder injury.
17 Comments
Ouch!
It must be so frustrating to come up short the way Carmel has. They have had an exciting season for the worst, every game was a nail biter! I’m surprised coach Cayea hasn’t suffered a heart attack already!
I have to give credit to Fox-Lane for moving up and holding their own in class AA. They are doing better than Ossining at this point who had a much better class A record the past few years and actually has recent class AA experience as a program.
Hey Josh who was the original Starting Quarterback if Christian Sokeedo is doing all that damage, as you say, “coming off the bench?” If he threw for 201 Yards off the bench then RC Ketcham has a bad pass defense because when I was at The Ramapo RCK game, the only real reason Ramapo ever moved the ball was due to the passing offense that RCK had difficulty stopping.
I think Carmel will do fine next year, If they can play this close having a young Roster then they are a team to look out for in 2011. It also seems like their defense kept them in the Game against RCK. How did Aaron Morganstern play that game? What were his overall stats? I’ve been hearing allot about this guy this year.
10960… It was a QB battle won by a junior. He replaced the junior early in the season.
I don’t know about Morganstern. I’ve heard a lot about his statistical accomplishments as well, but I haven’t seen them reported anywhere.
Ketcham was the superior team, but Carmel had more heart.
Morgenstern went for 187 on 17 carries..3tds..over 500 rushing and 600 total through 3 w 9tds..couldnt find on Maxreps but can throuh archives on HVSR. And its like I said w RCK..coulda..woulda..shoulda…their records say theyre both 1-2 teams. Arlington could be 3-0 very easily as well…in fact outplayed Mahopac in most phases..except when it counted.
Outplayed Mahopac? Were you at the game. Arlington had a pic for 6 on Mahopacs 30 yard line and a 65 yard TD run. Probably had near 20-40 yards other than that. Mahopacs D shut them down. Mahopac got into the Red Zone i believe 3 times. Give them some respect
AA North & Dutchess, #51 for Mahopac had a good game against C-North at LB. Is that something he does each week?
Yes usually better. Hes very talented. Very fast and very strong. Plays both ways also
Hope Eaton from White Plains is able to play against New Ro. It would be a shame to say they were not a full strength for that game.
AA North, no doubt. On one play he practically tackled Turner with one arm in the open field. That is not easy especially with a quality back, but he made it look that way.
Yea I saw that play as well. Heard he was sick as well against Clarkstown North.
AA North,
Give them their due???..for Christs sake I picked Mahopac to win the league in a tossup w Arlington..as well they should..they return by far the most starters in AA North on both sides comparatively w the other 4 teams..this is no Cinderella run..its a veteran team loaded at the skills and w 7-8 returning starters from a stingy D last year..come on now..I picked them to win by 2 tds vs CN as well..what are you talking about?
Josh, New Ro plays Mamaroneck before White Plains, not Lincoln. They also play Friday night. When I saw friday at 7pm at New Ro at first I thought it was a typo because as we all know, New Ro doesn’t have lights. But then I did some checking, and they are trucking in lights and playing a night game, should be a great atmosphere, and one I won’t miss! Just a Fact, Prince, maybe we can finally meet at the game?
I know Jeff Mack is at CW Post. Is he injured this year as I have not seen his name in any of their stats?
i hope mahopac keeps winning before carmel ;;the odds that they beat carmel are not good ..what has cayea beat them about 13 out of 15 years
Along with Eaton WP has a stable of backs. A pretty good Jr. class of backs.
The Refs up in Dutchess blew the game for Carmel, no doubt about it. The Rams had something like 12-15 penalties called on them to JJEF’s lone offside call…
Refs up in Dutchess have been stealing games from Putnam/Westchester teams forever.