Whew, that was a monotonous week. Wind, rain, wind, phone calls, wind, phone calls and more wind. Finally, amidst downed trees and power lines, school cancellations and gas shortages, we all have a chance to go outside and watch some football. Isn’t that what this is supposed to be about anyway?
What better cure for a case of cabin fever than perhaps the game of the year?I’ll be out at Harrison High School today to chronicle it, as two unbeaten teams and two of the section’s top coaches meet in the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
For posterity’s sake: Tony DeMatteo and Art Troilo have met three times total in the postseason. DeMatteo won first, beating Harrison 33-14 in the semifinals en route to the 2000 Class B title. Troilo’s Huskies won the rematch a year later, scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat Somers 36-28 in the Class B final. Harrison won again, 21-6, in the 2005 Class B semis.
It’s the type of matchup we’ve eyed for weeks and it’s finally here. No more time for hype. Just football.
But today isn’t only about Somers and Harrison. The other Class A semifinal pits unbeaten Brewster against an explosive Sleepy Hollow team that might be the Bears’ best opponent all season. Brewster will play without leading rusher Fernando Solis, who was injured standing on the sideline during a punt return last week.
The Bears are a perfect 5-0 at home, but today will be their first under the light of day. Can a daytime crowd help lift star-struck Brewster?
We’ll soon find out. I’ll be @LoHudInsider chronicling Somers-Harrison and Mike Dougherty will be on the hook for Brewster-Sleepy @hoopsmbd. I’ll post scores stats and recaps shortly after both games.
Saturday’s games -
Class A semifinals
Somers 28, Harrison 14
Sleepy Hollow 24, Brewster 21
GAME RECAPS
Class A semifinal
No. 2B Somers 28, No. 1A Harrison 14: At Harrison, Somers built a 21-0 first-quarter lead and forced three turnovers to reach its first Section 1 championship game since 2001. The Tuskers (9-0) will play Sleepy Hollow on Wednesday at 6 at Mahopac High School in the Class A final.
Stefano Bicknese rushed 13 times for 137 yards and a touchdown and Joe Lombardo had 11 carries for 116 yards. John Decker also threw two touchdowns for Somers, including one on the final play of the first quarter to give his team a 21-0 lead.
The Tuskers outgained Harrison 144-17 playing with a strong wind at their backs in that first quarter, but the Huskies earned the momentum with the wind behind them in the second. They scored two touchdowns and limited Somers to just four offensive plays. Mike Amicucci scored on a 10-yard run to cut the deficit to 21-7 and Vin Nicita caught a throwback pass from Cory Calcagni in the final minute of the half to cut the deficit to 21-14.
After a defensive stop, Harrison chewed up the majority of the third quarter. The Huskies tried for a fourth and six on the second play of the fourth quarter but Nicita was intercepted by Matt Morgante. It would be the first of three Morgante turnovers in the quarter, including the most critical. With Harrison driving into Somers territory at the three minute mark, Amicucci had a first-down run inside the 10, but he was stripped by Morgante, a sophomore, while trying to pick up extra yards.
Harrison coach Art Troilo Jr. later said his team would’ve attempted a two-point conversion if it had scored to cut the gap to 21-20. “We had a play we liked,” Troilo said.
Instead, Morgante recovered the fumble and the Tuskers added an insurance touchdown on the ensuing drive, which included a 58-yard run by Lombardo on third and 2 at the Somers 16. Morgante also recovered a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff for his third takeaway of the game.
Somers outgained Harrison 351-273 and did not commit a turnover. It will play for the program’s first Section 1 title since 2000, which was Tony DeMatteo’s first and only championship since he began coaching the Tuskers that season.
Nicita finished 7 for 15 for 81 yards and an interception. Calcagni caught five passes for 72 yards and threw the touchdown to Nicita. Amicucci had 13 carries for 87 yards and the touchdown. Kevin Nathanson had 13 carries for 72 yards.
Decker finished 3 for 5 for 26 yards and threw touchdowns to Josh Riger and Connor Vlasaty. Morgante also rushed for a touchdown.
Class A semifinal
No. 2A Sleepy Hollow 24, No. 1B Brewster 21: At Brewster, Sleepy Hollow scored two touchdowns in the final 1:36 to overcome a 21-10 deficit and stun unbeaten Brewster, earning the Headless Horsemen a trip to Wednesday’s Class A championship game against Somers at 6 at Mahopac High School.
Stepinac transfer Isaiah Sanjuan returned a fumble 59 yards for a touchdown with 1:36 remaining as Brewster tried to run the clock out. Sleepy forced a punt on the next series, regaining possession at the Brewster 49 with just 36 seconds remaining. Quarterback Devin Lopez connected with Sanjuan on a 49-yard touchdown on the very next play, lifting the Headless Horsemen to a 24-21 lead with just 27.9 to play.
It capped a wild fourth quarter. Sleepy actually led 10-6 entering the fourth, but Joe Buonadonna, starting in place of injured running back Fernando Solis, put his team ahead on a 14-yard touchdown run. Brian McNeill’s two-point pass to Matt Gargano gave Brewster a 14-10 lead with 8:28 remaining.
On the next possession, Brewster’s Ethan Schoenig intercepted Lopez, setting up another Buonadonna touchdown run. With a 21-10 lead, the Bears appeared to seal a victory when Kyle Riccardi intercepted Lopez on the next series, but it only set the stage for the wild finish.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Class A championship
At Mahopac High School:
No. 2A Sleepy Hollow (8-1) vs. No. 2B Somers (9-0), 6 p.m.
188 Comments
Thanks Loudmouth,
You are a great advocate for your son. My pleasure to be part of it. Wish we could get the change in place.
Phone calls made and emails sent. I have two more to go.
It is a honor to be in the same reference as the great Statesman.
Wing t , u know my answer!!!!
Wing t all the way!!!
But the truth as it goes in any sport…..
It is not the x’s and o’s…. It is the johnny and joes!!!!
Ditto on the Rmney comments. Glad to seethe country, and Westchester, finally waking up .
I saw both Somers and Harrison ea 3 times. Knew Somers would win. Harrison made a good comeback though with its power running game.
Somers/Sleepy could get ugly.
Can’t wait till the class C matchup tomorrow!!! If your coming to the New Ro game you might as well come at 1 to see a great game! Go RN!!!
WingTGuy November 3rd, 2012 at 9:31 pm
PPR,
How about that classic Wing T winning today? No spread offense found. Not even one snap in the shotgun that I can remember.
Shotgun/Spread against Wing T on Wednesday for Class A championship.
Which do you pick for the championship?
Just a Fact, what do you think?
Wing…:) lol… Do you think sleepy is a ok spread, good spread teAm or a dominating spread team?? And do you think Somers is a ok wing team, good wing team or a dominating wing team!! Answer this and then I will give you my answer….. However i say this you cnt win state with just a running game unless you have d1-1aa to high caliber d2 running backs or you have to have it on the offensive line reg d2 linemen and/or reg d2 running backs you def will not win!!!
Sailor November 3rd, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Can’t wait to see North Rockland to roll tomorrow, Back to the State Quarter’s again…
Sailor…. You was meaning new Ro!!!!
mistake do happen!!!
Romney for prez its obvious you have not had the pleasure of knowing coach Dematteo bc if you did you could not dispise him. He is a class act in every way, an advocate for kids and scholar at the game. He is a humble man that loves what he does. Words of encouragement to an opposing player is a small act of what he does every day. Somers Harrison game was a great HS game. The best was that the Somers players were exectiuting and having fun!! that’s what it should be.
A THANK YOU TO WING T AND JIM FOR THOSE KIND REMARKS…..ALSO AS I READ THE POSTS IT APPEARS THAT WE ALL ARE HAPPY TO SEE SOMERS REPRESENTING CLASS A….WITH GOOD GRADES FOR THIS EXCELLENT TEAM AND FOR WHAT I READ AS THE GRANDPA OF SECTION ONE , ALSO COACH D MUST BE LOVED BY ALL ….....AND WITH ALL OUR BLESSINGS THEY WILL SUCCEED.. AS FOR MY LAST POST FOR THE 2012 SEASON I WILL CLOSE WITH ..AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
I’m a resident of northern Westchester that saw a great game btw SH vs Brew…prob the chippiest/ Coldest/windiest game I have seen all year…on the play that he Brewster QB got called for 2 personal fouls on the SAME play can someone tell me what he did? Cause I can and I’m surprised no one is talking about it…he threw a punch at the SH DLineman that tackled him…head referee saw it but wondering why he didn’t get ejected and got 2 personal fouls? Someone from a neutral side that was there please explain?
PPR,
Fair enough. Sleepy beat JJCR probably the best (along with PK) spread team in the section.
JJCR, PK, Yorktown, all good – great spread teams. Lost to Wing T, option running offenses.
I have not seen Sleepy play so I can’t really comment on whether their spread is up to their level, but again they did beat JJ.
So it seems to me an argument can be made that a running offense can win the chip.
In AA no spread teams in the championship game. You have to admit it says something. The debate goes on…
Maybe Just is right that it is the Johnnies and the Joes, but I think it is also the scheme.
I know I will never convince you, but it is fun trying…
Good luck today.
U have to have good position coaches too…. All states with the players IMO…. Schemes are schemes…. Ur scheme should best fit your players…... Uh oh…. Which one suits new ro better???????
Just
New Ro has spread team talent
Wing-t
Second question!! Did the offense perform in all those game scored atleast (24+ points) or did the defense give up a ton of points in those losses!! If the defense did then we can say it was the defense that did not perform!!.. If you give up more then 24 points on defense you deserve to lose!!.. I think we can all agree on that!!..... Jjcr defense looked to be there problem!! Not there spread offense
Wing
Was clk so or mamroneck good or ok spread teams they where not great!!... But I can say that the spread help them a lot to be able to be competitive do not believe they would have been as competitive in wing or dbl wing
Prince, if me you and Wing T were at C South running Wing, we would do better than what happened this year under the SPREAD!!
and last yr and the year before that and the year before that and…....
Prince, me and Coach D disagree….
...and Wing TGUY!!
Just
I the problem was clk south def was suspect!! I have said before I like the wing if the option and passing is involved!! I Dnt like the wing 97% run 3% passing and no qb option
Prince, we see
to 
as always. I dont think matter what offense you run, but to be successful I am thinking 70-30% run to pass or more.
I saw Alabama with screen pass last night to win game. And was like that is a great call!! Screen the most underutilized play in HS.
I think Mamaroneck Coaches doing a great job. Second year in. They chose SPREAD and it is working. The real question is the Coaching or the SPREAD making the difference?
Just
Take a look at the top4 scoring offenses in class AA and tell me what offense they where running!!...
(or more pass)
Just
I think mamroneck coaches be smart and running the spread believing its there best way to get players to come out and be competitive fast!! As the athletes come out, they will becoming hard to beat… Them going 7-0 is a good start!! They should be somewhere 4-4 or 5-3 next year if the kids on jv and frosh has bought into the system!!
PPR,
No second questions allowed. You said you would answer my only question if I responded… Come on Man.
OK so you did respond. You don’t like Wing in a 97% run only pass on third and long or once a game on TE skinny post or wheel route for wing back. I am with you on that one.
You like the Wing to win both the A and AA championships in Section 1 this year…lol
Prince, the point of any run offense is to milk the 12 minute quarter clocks and play some strong defense and special teams. Add in some of the best run teams do not like to run up score and these offensive scores could be a little misleading.
Which teams are they(top scoring teams) and lets look at the competition they did it against? How good was their defense, because as you know when you go three and out couple of times in row because the pass isnt clicking, puts a lot of strain on the D….
We need to look at these as factors to go along with a lot of scoring fromt he SPREAD!!
Wing and PPR the Great, continue this discussion later when we are celebrating another New Ro Sect Chip!
PK’s spread kept them in the Harrison game. If they were running I like in years past, they would not be able to make up the deficit that quickly.
Spread just has a higher rate of to’s. One high snap can pretty much emd your season. The fumbled kick return on their own 10 did them no favors either. Much more to the game than offenses, other outliers decided it.
WingTGuy November 4th, 2012 at 11:02 am
PPR,
No second questions allowed. You said you would answer my only question if I responded… Come on Man.
OK so you did respond. You don’t like Wing in a 97% run only pass on third and long or once a game on TE skinny post or wheel route for wing back. I am with you on that one.
New Ro is going to win passing north rock can slow the wing down the have a run stoping defense!!
Just a fact November 4th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Wing and PPR the Great, continue this discussion later when we are celebrating another New Ro Sect Chip!
Just of course but for right now I have to answer wing ????? Lol
PRINCE,
IF YOU LOVE ME,YOU WILL PICK SLEEPY AND LET ME PICK SOMERS,SO WE CAN BOTH WIN,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
Wing T
That would’ve been great! Yea gas is limited so I couldn’t risk transportation throughout the work week.
Haywood
Lol!! Next year lol
Sleepy
Spread won them they game!!!... Old rule if the offense can put 21pts defense is responsible for the win or the lost
Woodlands drop’n that bomb on rye neck!!..
Just fact!!... Woodland has a class AA caliber talent at the skill position
WOODLANDS, 35-0!!!!! DEFENSE!!!!! OFFENSE!!!!! The full package.
Prince, Coach Meade winning the State CHip.. I wonder if people will believe he is a great coach then…
No I don’t know Coach D and I don’t despise him. We just hate losing in Harrison. If you were at the game and have any sense you could easily see that Somers dominated the 1st quarter and Harrison dominated the other 3 right up until that fumble. Of course we all thought it was a bad call as Harrison fans. Gotta see the tape. Somers caught a huge break or the outcome may have been different. Hard to win a game when you’re down 21-0 and have 3 turnovers. Thought both sides had a great game plan and both coaching staffs fit the bill.
Congrats to Somers- huge team with a lot of heart.
Romey:
This year’s Huskies had a tendency to dig themselves a hole early. Against JJCR’s D, they were able to climb out. Against WP, they were clearly the superior team. But you can’t do that against a Somers. Also, I think one advantage Somers had was a fundamental one; blocking and tackling, especially the latter. They just plain wrapped up, and didn’t give the Huskies a chance to break the big ones that have been their signature this year. And, they played mistake-free football. As a Husky fan, I’m with you. I thought these two teams were even. But Somers played like a champion. Congrats to the Huskies on a great season, including a much-overdue victory against Rye.