Varsity Insider

SCOUTING REPORT
Class D state semifinal
Tuckahoe (7-2-1) vs. Section 2’s Rensselaer (10-1)
When: Friday, 4
Where: Dietz Stadium, Kingston
Key players: Tuckahoe – Shyheim Nixon (5-10, 180), Sr., RB/LB; Kayvon Reid (6-3, 185), Sr., RB/LB; Nick Reisman (6-1, 210), Sr., RB/LB. Rensselaer – Seth Butler (6-0, 225), Sr., RB/LB; Steven Harwood (5-8, 160), Jr., QB/DB; Brandon Butler (5-10, 165), Jr., WR/DB.
Outlook: These teams first met 19 years ago in the state semifinals, a game won by Tuckahoe en route to a runner-up finish in the 1993 state tournament, the first of its kind. The Tigers are now 4-4 in eight state semifinal appearances. This is Rensselaer’s first state semifinal appearance since a run of three straight from 1993-95. The Rams rely on a balanced offense highlighted by the bullish Butler and Harwood, who has thrown for 1,153 yards and 18 touchdowns. Butler has rushed for 1,026 yards and 17 touchdowns, while his smaller but quicker brother, Brandon, has averaged 28.7 yards per reception and caught 11 touchdowns. All of that playmaking could be enough to match Tuckahoe’s backfield trio. “They’re very athletic, but so are we,” Rensselaer coach Joel Preston said. In fact, the Tigers struggled defending the pass last week, allowing three for touchdowns against Chester. That could be solved by the return of cornerback Daryl Taylor to the lineup and by keeping the Rams off the field. Remember: Tuckahoe rushed for 443 yards last week. “If we can run the ball like we did last week, we can keep it our of their hands,” Tigers coach John D’Arco said. “I don’t know a better defense than that.”
Up next: Class D state championship, at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse
When: Friday, Nov. 23, 12 p.m.
Opponent: Winner of Tioga (Section 4) and Randolph (Section 6)

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LINKS

• Rensselaer results and stats
• Section II Super Bowl: 42-22 win over Salem
• Class D state quarterfinals: 50-0 win over Moriah
• Feature on Rensselaer’s two-quarterback system

• Feature on Rensselaer defense

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  THE COACH’S TAKE

  
  Tuckahoe coach John D’Arco

• On what he saw of Rensselaer on film: “This is the third week in a row we’re playing a team that just put up 50 points on an opponent. … I think it’s a pretty even matchup. They’ll throw the ball from the shotgun. They’ll run the ball from the ‘I.’ We have to be ready to defend both.”
• On Rensselaer’s style of play: “They have some athletes who can make some plays. I think to beat us they’ll have to pass and run. I don’t think they’ll beat us in one phase of the game.”

• On the pass defense, which returns cornerback Daryl Taylor this week: “We have our veterans back. I feel more confident. If we can run the ball like we did last week, I think we can keep it out of their hands. I don’t know a better defense than that.”

  Rensselaer coach Joel Preston

• On what he saw from Tucakhoe on film: “We’ve checked them out. They’re a lot like us. They run a lot of different sets on offense and so do we. … Their quarterback is a very good athlete. Their running backs are talented. I think it’s going to be a competitive game.”
• On how the teams match up: “They’re very athletic and so are we. Our receivers can stretch the field.”
• On his team’s offense: “We’re mostly in the gun. We run the spread most of the time, but you’ll also see us in the ‘Power I,’ the ‘I.’ You’ll see motion. We’ll move guys around.”

• On the key on defense: “We need to contain their athletes. We need to keep their quarterback between the tackles. Hopefully our defensive line does a good job. That’s a strength of our team.”