My colleague Mike Zacchio will cover this morning’s game, but I plan on stopping by to check it out anyway. Last year was my first Turkey Bowl and I loved the atmosphere. Also, Stepinac and White Plains are two of the area’s best teams. There are few football games this season that put more talent on the field.
For updates, follow along on Twitter @LoHudInsider. I’ll try to come back afterward with a quick recap before heading north for the holiday. Enjoy the game — and happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Day scores —
At White Plains High School:
Stepinac 38, White Plains 14
GAME RECAP —
Stepinac 38, White Plains 14: At White Plains High School, Stepinac won the 41st annual Turkey Bowl, its fifth win over White Plains in the last six years. Austin Taps (Stepinac) and Mike Scotman (White Plains) each scored a touchdown and were named sportsmanship award winners.
Stepinac led 10-7 at halftime after a 43-yard field goal and a 1-yard TD run by Caleb Gilligan-Evans gave the Crusaders a 10-0 lead. The Tigers responded with a 15-play, 76-yard drive that was capped with 1-yard TD run by Scotman.
White Plains took a 14-10 lead early in the second half on a 56-yard interception return by Ryan Brooks. It was one of four Stepinac turnovers but White Plains committed six of its own. They helped lead to 28 unanswered points for the Crusaders.
Dan Hoffer threw touchdowns to Vincent Narog (70 yards) and Taps (25 yards). Lance Ladson scored on a 30-yard run. Ryan Wasylenko returned an interception 20 yards for a score. Taps also blocked a punt for Stepinac.
Narog’s touchdown catch came on a third-and-8 just after White Plains go-ahead TD. He caught a short pass from Hoffer and broke several tackles en route to the score.
Gilligan-Evans finished his fourth Turkey Bowl with 13 carries for 96 yards and the touchdown. Mark White rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries. Hoffer went 6 for 11 for 130 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He completed two passes to Narog for 89 yards and the TD.
Scotman led White Plains with 16 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Jeff Avery passed for 52 yards and threw two interceptions and rushed for 23 yards.
441 Comments
prince,
enjoy being on the bottom half of the rankings!
crusader
next year iona is the favorite #1 imo they bringing back the most and the over all best talent ther jv and frosh teams where loaded!!.... new ro bringing back a couple of guys!! but the will have too fill some big holes!!... jv struggled it will have alot of work to do!!!! next year not sure if you can throw them in #1 or #2 spot right now!! step from what i know they lost alot of studs!!.. and the repalcement are nowhere near ther talent!! step should be somewher between #3-#5 next year!!..
10605
where is that at?... never been there before!!... have you?
PPR
New Ro always seems to be able to re-load. Will be interesting to see if North Rock can duplicate this year’s success or WP realize their potential. I think your also right about Iona. I’ve heard they have a-lot of talent coming up. As far as Step, they do lose a number of key players to graduation but their JV finished 4-3 (same as Iona) so I’m optimistic that they will be able to compete well.
crusader!!..
i agree new ro always reload and they will have a lot of reloading too do!!! they bring back ther 3 rb, qb, c, te,t it should interesting!!... as for iona i was told that the best players on jv where all 9th graders and ther frosh team was actually more talented then ther jv!!i dn’t see iona vacating that #1 spot in westchester for atleast 3yrs i watch ther frosh and ther jv play and all i was saying was wow!!!... i think step will be able too compete b/c hoffer is back and he is pretty good and that helps alot when your qb is returning after having a good season!!!
While I think Step could be a very interesting team to watch next year and certainly dangerous, there are several teams in the CHSFL that bring back a lot of talent. St Anthonys will always be loaded. The Qb will be a jr after starting half the year as a soph this year – he can run and throws a nice ball. Anderson was their leading rushing this year. They have several other kids who got carries this year who will probably fit into their multi-back offense – Ridley, Jones, Duggan, though i think Anderson might be getting a lot of carries next year. Both of their lines will be huge as usual and they return some very good players on D including the LB Leggio who I thought was very good.
Xaverian returns maybe the two most dangerous players in the league – RB Smith and QB Kearney (who I think is a RB on the next level). They also return several starters on D and a very good, big WR Badyna. They didn’t have a big line this year and probably won’t next year, but they had some good players up front including Chris Jones.
Holy Cross needs a new QB, but they return several sophs and a couple jrs who played a lot at Rb and WR. HC always is well coached and plays tough D.
Chaminade returns their QB and leading rusher, both of whom will be 3 year starters. I imagine they’ll also have a predictably big, physical, well-coached offensive line.
Holy Trinity returns their Qb Laviano who already has multiple 1A offers – not sure how much else they have returning, but Laviano alone will be dangerous.
Mount loses a lot so should take a step back, but they’re always tough and execute their offense wel. Fordham returns two QBs who split time this year and their starting FB/TB Williamson – Fordham will likely get into the AAA playoffs next year. Kellenberg looks like they lose a lot since their QB was the bulk of their offense and graduates. Farrell graduates their QB and RB, but they have a new coach who seemed to reenergize their program, so I suspect they reload – they have a big school. SJBS seems to have lost its mojo a bit since McCombs and Amato graduated. McCombs by the way is the leading rusher for UCONN this year. My early December predictions for the CHSFL next year would be:
1-St As (until someone beats them)
2-Iona
3-Xaverian
4-Cham
5-Holy Cross
6-Step (6-9 could easily switch)
7-Fordham
8-Farrell
9-HT
10-SJBS
11-Mount
12-Kellenberg
*I think the 12 in AAA stay the same next year.
Prince
Iona had 3 sophs play up on the varsity – 2 were very important starters on defense so that hurt the jv record- The frosh class this year was LOADED – The FROSH QB is good enough to start next year- iona could have about 5 sophs next year on the varsity to supplement a deep and talented senior class an Junior class- iona has a legit shot to take down St. Anthony-
Hoops, just because a team excells at short passes does not make their passing attack simplistic.. You still need honor the deep ball.. And all the play action is successful because north roc and Jeff can run the ball… You should know better than trying to sell something so crazy!!!
Otherwise why not say all passing attacks are simple since all you really have to do is block, get open, throw the ball, catch the ball!!!
Simple!
..^.(*** ****! **) X November 28th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
HOOPS
YOU COULD HAVE PUT TAPS AT TE IN THE IFORM AND GOT THE SAME RESULT!!.. IT WASN’T B/C OF THE SYSTEM IT WAS B/C HE WAS THAT GOOD!!!!
Excellent thought!! Aka Kyle Brady!!
” If New Ro was put in an upstate league Sect 5, Sect 6, MM or CHSFL that has a lot of good passing teams on a weekly basis – I suspect New RO’s impressive points allowed streak would stop.”
Hoops,never. Coach D would game plan accordingly. New Ro has the team speed in the secondary, and strength upfront to stop any O attack..
ToP D in the State, every year!
A proven fact!!
Just,
I have a lot of respect for New Ro’s D and Coach D’s staff…but to say New Ro’s D is the best in the state every year is ridiculous. Sorry. I’ll give you ‘one of the better/best’ though. To call that ‘a proven fact’ it takes away from your overall credibility. They weren’t the best this year – no way – not giving up more pts to JJEF than No Rock did TWICE, not giving up more pts to WP than Step did, not giving up more pts to No Rock than Shen did. I’d say based on the actual results this year NFA, St As, Shen definitely had better D’s – Iona and Mount should be way up there as well.
Just,
I know you are not a Spread guy and you clearly were a defensive player in your day, but you need to get over your idea that all passing attacks were made equal. I’m not saying that a well-executed short passing game w/ screens and play action can’t be effective on the HS level – teams that run the short passing game can have a lot of success against good defensive teams. However, if you watched Step this year (which you didn’t) you’d clearly see a team that ran far more than they threw, but their passing game helped set up the run with their complex formations and routes. As a Defensive Coordinator…you don’t think its more difficult to defend a 4 wide out formation? You can’t seriously believe that.
Hoops, I did not come off the field, thank you very much. And I was probably best on special teams!!!
Hoops, ok!!
“One of the Best” – was the point. So you know they are not giving up a ton of pts no matter what offense. And when you think about that New Ro D speed, is what let’s everyone know, New Ro-Step 2010 or 2011 for that matter, New Ro has a good chance to win. All starts with the D.
If Shen played any Sect 1 team under normal conditions, I would take the results to have meaning. But the fact 3 games in 11 days, all stats tainted. I am sure you agree. I wish you could talk to a player and ask them how they felt going into that Shen game. Sure adrenaline is flowing, but not enough to overcome the prior two weeks.
The Shen North Rock score is two teams just trying to stuff the ball down each other’s throats. I think you would have to analyze number of run to pass plays for North Rock-Shen and North Roc -New Ro. But hey New Ro missed tackles galore in North Rock game. Was it the field conditions?
Hoops, and finally, last year you will remember me giving praise to Step OC for the design of the pass plays. I also called it poor defense since Goodman woudl throw it to open spaces in the field where WR were not covered. And if you do not think that matters, I am sure you remember me posting that ESPN “Brainiacs” were disputing the recruiting potential of a QB based on so many passes to open windows and not against guys actually covered.
As a “football” fan, I respect all offenses and know they are complex to defend, though looking from the Stands, it might seem otherwise. I am sure you agree with that too, not matter how much love you have for Step or the Spread.
Just,
I don’t discount in general about the 3 games in 11 days. I thought and said it would be a disaster from day one. But I agree with you about the Shen/No Rock, it seemed to be a game of two teams trying to ‘stuff the ball down each others throats’ as you say. I think the 3 games really would hurt a team that is based on speed and fresh legs like New Ro or WP more so than a team like No Rock that just wants to jam it down your throat. Also, PPR made the point earlier that No Rock benefitted from blowing out Scarsdale in QFs and being able to rest their starters – I think he’s correct. While 4 games in 18 days certainly didn’t help No Rock against Shen, I just don’t see a lot of evidence that it played a major part in the outcome. There hasn’t been a single No Rock fan come on here to say their team played poorly or was dragging, etc.
As far as Step/New Ro. unfortunately the debate has gotten old and stale. I acknowledge your understanding of football, but Stepinac was a juggernaut last year – I didn’t see New Ro stopping them at all. I think Goodman was unstoppable. This year, I think in theory you could make a better argument that New Ro would’ve been able to slow down Step. I don’t think there would be much of an argument from you that New Ro would’ve scored much on Step – New Ro averaged 9ppg against No Rock, JJEF and WP. Based on the years Step and New Ro had this year there really isn’t much argument that New Ro had a better year at all. As a fan, I acknowledge you as a New Ro fan wanting to believe New Ro would beat anyone…I just don’t think the results this year back you up at all.
Just
New Ro players slipped all over that field!! Of course it had something to do with new ro giving up 19 points!!!....
Hoops… Jjef gave up 28 points to north rock Arlington gave up 21 to north rock, does that make Arlington defense better!!.. No
New Ro defense is in the top 4 every year!! It no mystery!! It’s from good coaching!!! My friend!! And I agree that new Ro can handle in offense!!
Just,
As far as Goodman throwing to WRs in open spaces…if that was the case, don’t you think that had a lot to do w/ the offense, playcalling, and scheme that confused the defenses. The more complicated the passing game, the more open WRs you’ll see. I remember watching the old Florida-Spurrier teams thinking how bizarre it was to constantly see wide open WRs – I think the reality is it had a lot more to do with those teams and their offenses as opposed to the SEC defenses being clueless.
As far as recruiting from spread HS teams, a large number of teams around the country, particularly in the south, FL, TX, CA are running some form of the spread these days. Fewer and fewer of the elite HS teams are running old fashioned Wing T or I offenses. Did you see the scores from the LI championships this past weekend – they looked more like basketball scores! Its not a surprise that a huge # of 1A scholarship players in NYS come from leagues that run the spread in high #’s – CHSFL, MM, Sects 5,6,3, LI publics.
Hoops, you guys did not look big up front. All three teams would take advantage (North Rock, JJEF, & New Ro). All three had very good defensive players that would have been more than capable of stopping Step.
Here let’s break down the scoring for Step vs WP:
First drive set up by CGE long run right up middle – All three teams strong in the middle(Line & LB’s) – FG – would not have happened
The first TD a result of Punt Block – poor coaching/execution
Second TD – 70 yrd screen – empty set, only one WR to left – come on!! poor technique and coaching again since kids out of position
17pts
3rd TD – 30 yrd draw up the middle?? – again all three teams to strong up front
4th TD – 25 yrd TD – 10yrd pass off 3 step, qb looked at Taps the whole way. They were in man and the Safety right there – Another TD that does not happen.
31pts
Final TD out of desperation failed screen – again doesn’t happen since neither team would have been in such a situation.
38pts that doesn’t happen to JJEF, North Roc or New Ro!!
Hoops, exhibit A!!!
http://www.msgvarsity.com/westchester/ossining/stepinac-trots-by-white-plains-on-turkey-day-1.818580
Prince, it was definitely not a New Ro type day. They never miss that many tackles. Field conditions, exhaustion, North Roc hunger? I am sure it all played a part.
just/hoops
you would really have to expect the same offensive output you had against iona!!... iona and new ro defense is pretty much the same! you struggled all night and the score does not reflects the game!! i think iona dominate alot more then what the score reflects!!... i think new ro beats step 14-10
just
it was really the field it was very bad!!... i know the field slowed down new ro slashers!!
hoops
ther was a guy who posted that north looked sluggish!! then have that same energy!! new ro playing in a down poor and a very big physical wp teams then days later take on power football in the mudd! jjef, north rock, new ro all got beat up by the 3 games 11 days
just
this was a great, great post!!.. showing off that talent!!... i’m keeping my girl away from you!!
Just a fact – 10k November 28th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Hoops, you guys did not look big up front. All three teams would take advantage (North Rock, JJEF, & New Ro). All three had very good defensive players that would have been more than capable of stopping Step.
Here let’s break down the scoring for Step vs WP:
First drive set up by CGE long run right up middle – All three teams strong in the middle(Line & LB’s) – FG – would not have happened
The first TD a result of Punt Block – poor coaching/execution
Second TD – 70 yrd screen – empty set, only one WR to left – come on!! poor technique and coaching again since kids out of position
17pts
3rd TD – 30 yrd draw up the middle?? – again all three teams to strong up front
4th TD – 25 yrd TD – 10yrd pass off 3 step, qb looked at Taps the whole way. They were in man and the Safety right there – Another TD that does not happen.
31pts
Final TD out of desperation failed screen – again doesn’t happen since neither team would have been in such a situation.
38pts that doesn’t happen to JJEF, North Roc or New Ro!!
just
i dn’t have too tell you who posted this!!... it’s not hard to determine!!!.. some ppl choice of words never leave them no matter how many names they say they “dn’t have”
Hopefully this will no longer allow the Prince Purple Rain and Just a Fact’s of the World to hide behind their computers and take cheap shots at people!
Just,
No offense, but sometimes your not actually watching games clouds your comments. And in this case, highlights can be highly deceiving. You said of Step’s line ‘you guys did not look big up front.’ I don’t know what your definition of ‘big’ is, but Stepinac’s line this year was HUGE!!!!
Pomposello and Aloizos are both 6’3”/6-4” around 300lbs. Gwin is 6’5” 250. Perpepaj is listed at 6’2’ 230. The fifth starter at G is a Jr, average-sized kid. The average size of the Step line was 6’2.5” 252lbs per lineman. Is there a bigger local line this year? Add in Taps at 6’4” 235 at TE and the line gets even bigger.
Your entire breakdown above was based on Step not being big up front. I don’t think you realize just how big Step, Iona and St As were up fron this year. Clearly, you were wrong.
Your breakdown is wishful thinking…nice to know that No Rock, JJEf and New Ro don’t make mistakes on D. According to you all the Sect 1 AA teams play perfect football at all times. Funny, I haven’t noticed it all the years I’ve been watching local football.
hoops
i will agree that step may have had some size!!.... but 300lb??????? and ther was a 6’5 guy on that line????......
i think just was saying that north rock , jjef and new ro, has proven against power teams that running up the middle against them teams found very lil success!...
also he said it “looks” like!!... he didn’t say they “where”!!
and he said
all three had very good defensive players that would have been more than “capable” of stopping “Step”...... do you doubt , nr/rock/jjef have the players too stop step?
PPR,
Yes, I don’t think No Rock, JJEF or New Ro would’ve been able to stop Step this year. I think New Ro does a good job with run defense and may have been able to slow Evans from running wild, but I see no evidence any of those three teams could stop White. White ran on everyone this year St As, Iona, Xaverian and I definitely don’t see No Rock, JJEF or New Ro’s front 7 being as good as St As or Iona. Thats not an insult, St As and Iona’s front 7 were very, very good and big. As far as pass defense, none of those three schools have played a serious passing team – I think Step could pass on any of the three. There is not a strong argument that New Ro could stop Step from passing when New Ro couldn’t stop No Rock and WP from passing.
PPR,
With the new field construction the whole Stepinac team files through the stands to get to their lockerroom during and after each game – those kids were huge!
HOOPS
WHAT DO YOU THINK NEW RO FRONT WAS RICE 6’2 290LBS DOUGLAS 6’3” 265LB CALDARARO 6’4” 220LB CLARKE OLB 6’3” 235LB, DURETT 6’2” 215LB I DN’T THINK THATS SMALL
Prince, exactly!! Guys get to attack players and fathers but still get to come on here, take a shot at us for exactly what they do!!
I need that type of pimp pass!!!!
Ps can’t wait to meet either ” tough guy”
JUST
they get a pass all the time!! and we get the blame!! i cn’t wait!!! so i can lol!! when they pop up!!
just
you know they started this war!!.. it was all over a opinion!!! and they could not handle the truth!! thats when the name calling started stating players had a ax to grind!! and they wher mad b/c they said that the player didn’t have enough talent to play on a certain level!! it was them that started this whole thing!!! they try to be cyber bullies but it did not work!!
Prince,
Devany, Josh and a bunch of old timers know these guys try/tried to silence people. I saw them consistently try and bully guys for a 2-3 yr period before I started posting. I came on just to mess with 10960 and the rest is history.
But from having to put Bad Info in his place..
, to see them get so overwhelmed with jealousy because people would agree with the comments,to getting them to lose their cool and attack players and parents, what an enjoyable experience, to see these so called “experts” Self Destruct!!!! 
Team PPR/JAF can’t be beat!
“Hoops, you guys did not look big up front. All three teams would take advantage (North Rock, JJEF, & New Ro). ”
This was at Step front D-7 – not offense – I should have been more clear. NR’’s and JJEF would have plenty of success on the ground IMO.
Then I went on to say , those three teams front 7 were very strong so Step plays going right through the middle was not happening, IMO. Not to mention the DB’s for 3, all were very good players. And we did not even bring up the Coaching, preparation and game planning.
“just
this was a great, great post!!.. showing off that talent!!... i’m keeping my girl away from you!! ”
Prince, lololol!!!!
Come on.. Bro Code.. dont go after your Boy’s girl, she ain’t worth it!!!
JUST
THIS HAD ME IN TEARS!!
LOL
“just
this was a great, great post!!.. showing off that talent!!... i’m keeping my girl away from you!! ”
Prince, lololol!!!!
Come on.. Bro Code.. dont go after your Boy’s girl, she ain’t worth it!!!
JUST
NEVER SURPRISE ME WITH YOU ABILITY TO BRING THESE GUYS DOWN TO EARTH AND EXPOSE THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE!! YOU ARE THE ” MAN”!!....
Just a fact – “Coward is here” – 10k November 29th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Prince,
Devany, Josh and a bunch of old timers know these guys try/tried to silence people. I saw them consistently try and bully guys for a 2-3 yr period before I started posting. I came on just to mess with 10960 and the rest is history.
But from having to put Bad Info in his place.. , to see them get so overwhelmed with jealousy because people would agree with the comments,to getting them to lose their cool and attack players and parents, what an enjoyable experience, to see these so called “experts” Self Destruct!!!!
Team PPR/JAF can’t be beat!............. OR DO YOU MEAN BEAT UP!!
Prince, I don’t think we have to worry,
JUST
I’M 8) COOL AS A FAN!!