SCOUTING REPORT
Class AA state semifinal
New Rochelle (9-1) vs. Section 2’s Shaker (10-0)
When: Saturday, 7
Where: Dietz Stadium, Kingston
Key players: New Rochelle – Khalil Edney (6-3, 180), Sr., QB; Joe Clarke (6-2, 210), Sr., TE/LB/P; Jason Ceneus (5-9, 180), Sr., RB/DB. Shaker – Ryan Griffin (6-0, 210), Sr., RB; Chris Landers (6-3, 175), Sr., QB; Kenny Jackson (5-10, 180), Sr., RB; David Morrison (6-4, 270), Sr., OT/DT; Schuyler Huntington (6-3, 255), Sr., OT/DT.
Outlook: The contrast between the two programs is stark. New Rochelle had played in the state tournament nine times since 2000; this is Shaker’s first trip. The difference carries over to the rosters as well. Although both teams operate out of Wing-T offenses, they do so with different directives. The Huguenots are smaller but quicker and apply pressure on the perimeter, especially with Edney’s passing. Shaker relies primarily on its running game, particularly between the tackles. Morrison and Huntington lead an offensive line that has a significant size advantage of the New Rochelle defense, but Shaker coach Greg Sheeler watched the Huguenots overcome a similar deficiency in last week’s 39-7 win over Pine Bush. “They’re the fastest team we’ve seen all season,” Sheeler said.
Up next: Class AA state championship, at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse
When: Saturday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m.
Opponent: Winner of CBA-Syracuse (Section 3) and Orchard Park (Section 6)
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LINKS
- Shaker results and stats
- Section II Super Bowl: 14-0 win over Shenendehowa
- Section II semifinals: A controversial 28-21 win over Schenectady
- Feature on Shaker’s by week preparation for the state semifinals
- Times-Union column on the controversy surrounding Shaker’s semifinal win
- Feature on the defense being the key to Shaker’s success
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THE COACH’S TAKE
New Rochelle coach Lou DiRienzo
- On Shaker’s style: “They have a big, physical, power Wing-T game, a quarterback who’s real good on the flank, and a downhill type of approach when they get into a two-back offense.”
- On Shaker’s defense: “They run a traditional 3-4, Pittsburgh Steelers defense. They get after it pretty good. They play a hard cover 2 behind it. They get after you, get-in-your-face kind of team.”
- On gauging how good of an opponent it is: “You can’t. That’s the thing. With Monroe, we played them three years in a row. It might as well have been New Rochelle-White Plains or New Rochelle-Mount Vernon, like they’re in our county. That was a tremendous rivalry. It was like synchronized dancing. We knew what they did, they knew what we did. It was a chess match a lot of the time with emotion in it. Even when we played Troy in 2010, we had also played them in 2000. We, as coaches, don’t change a hell of a lot, so there was familiarity there. But Pine Bush – we never played them before. Shaker – we’ve never played them before. I think it’s a disadvantage.”
Shaker coach Greg Sheeler
- On the team’s first trip to the state playoffs: “It’s exciting for everybody on our football team and in our school community. To play a team like New Rochelle, who has been there before and everybody respects as a state football powerhouse, it will be a great experience for our kids. We’re looking forward to it.”
- On having a bye week: “It was a good opportunity for us to get healthy and build our strength and conditioning back up. It was a great opportunity for us to go over our tendencies and see what we’re doing well and what we’re not doing well and make corrections.”
- On how New Rochelle compares to his team: “They’re the fastest team we’ve seen all season. Their 11 guys all run to the ball very well on defense. They’re extremely well-coached on offense. They do a nice job, carrying out the fakes and do a nice job up front. We’re more of a between the tackles team. They’re more of a perimeter team. They use their talent. They have a very good quarterback. We line up in similar formations, but when the ball is snapped we do different things. They’re using their speed. We’re using our size.”
- On how the team matches up: “We’re a run team first. We want to run the ball, but we want to keep teams honest with the play-action pass and our deep passing game. Certainly, when you get to this level of competition, you have to make adjustments and do some things different. We don’t expect to make big changes, but we also know we’re going to have to do some different things against New Rochelle. I think they’re very good at stopping the run. They do that very well. I think to keep them honest we’re going to have to be able to pass the ball on them. I don’t expect to throw the ball for 300 yards or anything, but picking our spots in the passing game is going to be big for us.”
50 Comments
The Albany area papers have new Rochelle as the favorite in this game. Dont sleep on Shakers RB Griffin. Hes a great athlete, tough and will give New RO a handfull. Game should go down to the wire
MONEY ON THE LINE;
NEW RO GOING TO THE DOME,28-7
Go New Ro!
Riley any film? What isaw vs Shen shaker looks like they are in big trouble in all phases … Line, athletes, football players…
Where are the predictions from Josh Thomson and staff? You guys have an excellent record of accuracy, yet you are reluctant to post predictions in these playoff games for some reason unlike the regular season.
I don’t know the outcome of this game because I do not know much about Shaker other than they were touted as Invincible by the so called Know it Alls who make up the rankings. They were listed on some websites as the #1 team in NY State.
Griffen from Shaker may be a great player, but he is no Jordan Canzeri who New Ro contained for most of that epic Troy game aside from one busted play for a TD, and we all know now that Canzeri was better than Ray Rice, the stats show it.
Shaker is a run first team which plays into New Ros hands, and they can try to change it up all they like, but it is futile. You can put lipstick on a Pig but it is still a Pig. Shaker is in trouble. They seem to already be revealing their hand by admitting they can’t ground and pound their way to victory in this game which is an admission of defeat already. Throw it up, hope it gets picked.
Canzeri wasn’t the best RB in that game, no Troy back is in the top ten in state history as far as actual ability. System player, stats are inflated…
When you get to these playoff games, you know your going to be in a battle. No team should be taken lightley. Shaker didn’t get to this game by not being good, New Ro will have to continue to play uptempo, focused and intense.
The goal now is to play hard, and play New Ro’s game.
GO NEW RO!
Better than Ray…Rays am all pro NFL back….hope you are joking with that comment
http://d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2012/playoff-picks-surprises-disappointments
Listen we all can give ” coaches speech” “don’t take anyone lightly” blah blah blah… I rather hear what people actually think and see…
These eyes see shaker in big time trouble!
Good to see Tyre Coleman doing well at the next level… The PK-Hobart pipeline is in full effect.
Best of luck to New Ro Saturday. The Dome awaits…
Jeff,
You already know. Building bridges
@Jeff P , congratulations with Coleman. I have been following him and it was cool to see he faced Eck from Rye a couple of weeks ago. Coleman has become a stud on defense and i think he was named all defensive player. Congratulations
Justafactasaurus November 16th, 2012 at 10:21 am
Listen we all can give ” coaches speech” “don’t take anyone lightly” blah blah blah… I rather hear what people actually think and see…
These eyes see shaker in big time trouble!
JUST…. I AGREE!!.. CAN THEY HANDLE NEW RO ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL!!...
Just,
I agree with you. I think New Ro would really have to have an off day to lose. Anything can happen, but Shaker hasn’t been playing that well of late squeaking by Schnectedy in the semis and over Shen in the Finals (a team they blew out earlier in the year). Griffin sounds good and they have decent size on the line, but I think to beat New Ro you have to stretch the field with the pass unless you have a big time RB and I don’t know if Shaker passes well enough.
Tomaro,
He was All-East as a First-Year last season and I just read he was named Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year this morning. Good job to him.
THIS IS A POOR MAN VERSION OF TROY AND NORTH TONAWANDA… IF NEW RO SHUTS THEM DOWN WITH 7-8 IN THE BOX GAME IS OVER….... NEW RO IS TRAPPING THEM INTO PASSING BELIEVING THE QB IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO THROUGH MULTIPLE ZONE COVERAGES!!... NEW RO TAKE THE OVER 30
Prince/hoops, very poor version of Troy… I am serious… I think AA second tier can play with them… Maybe just a bad camera angle… But kids did not look good vs Shen .. And it wasn’t Shen making them look bad..
New ro has to turn it over 5 times to lose…
I think (section 1)is past the point of thinking any playoff game outside of the section will be easy. I dont think this is an elite New Ro team, and I was at the CBA game where the best New Ro team and one of the top 3 teams in NY history lost to Paulus( Granted after Ray got hurt) the tide of the game changed. However, unless NY is having a down year in AA, New Ro will be in battles here and at the Dome if they make it.
Let’s go Blue Bison!!!
Justafactasaurus November 16th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Prince/hoops, very poor version of Troy… I am serious… I think AA second tier can play with them… Maybe just a bad camera angle… But kids did not look good vs Shen .. And it wasn’t Shen making them look bad..
New ro has to turn it over 5 times to lose…
JUST… I AGREE!... LOOKS LIKE JJEF
football guy November 16th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Let’s go Blue Bison!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Not trying to hijack the new ro game,but who do you guys like tonight in class a game??I think Cornwall can win because Mike White was 10 for 30 for 149 yards,1td,2int last year.Gotta think hes going to have a better game than that.
Riley, section 1 has been shafted by 3 games 11 days….north rock should have beaten nfa last year… Same for pok… This year somers was just a cluster f off days… Though execution, not preparation why somers lost imo…
2010 had to be one of troy’s all around best teams… To d1 backs… Qb d-1aa for defense… But then I know u know all this… Dont forget their line and #44…. New ro just missed there…
2009… State chip appearance… A couple of blunders 2007&2008… Three games 11 days 2006…. 2005 down year … Which gets u to 2003&2004…..
This one in the bag!
Rileygirl November 16th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
“I dont think this is an elite New Ro team”
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Yeah, I’m a New Ro fan but I tend to agree with you. Their defense is definitely championship caliber but their offense throughout the year has been erratic and inconsistent. They have struggled to put up points in games.
Afraid to say it but this could be another North Tonawanda/New Ro type year where a single key injury decides the outcome. They lost their quarterback early in that game and could do little from that point on. Edney is running the ball too often and the better defensive teams can shut him down.
Sir Sisophous November 16th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Rileygirl November 16th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
“I dont think this is an elite New Ro team”
.......................
Yeah, I’m a New Ro fan but I tend to agree with you. Their defense is definitely championship caliber but their offense throughout the year has been erratic and inconsistent. They have struggled to put up points in games.
Afraid to say it but this could be another North Tonawanda/New Ro type year where a single key injury decides the outcome. They lost their quarterback early in that game and could do little from that point on. Edney is running the ball too often and the better defensive teams can shut him down.
I THINK THEY WILL DO WELL THEY HAVE A GREAT DEFENSE AND THE OFFENSE LOOKS LIKE IT’S IN A GOOD RYTHM… #IF THEY WOULD HAVE WENT WITH MCGHEE IN THE STATE CHIP I BELIEVE NEW RO WINS THAT GAME!!.......
statesman ,
i will be at the hobart game tomorrow
Godsquad,
Long drive. 12pm kickoff. Have fun.
” MCGHEE IN THE STATE CHIP I BELIEVE NEW RO WINS THAT GAME!!.......”
Prince, u are a know nothing!!!!!!
I agree!!!
Newro better d than 2009….... o line worse than 2009 base on play to date… Don’t care about potential or health… More RB’s in 2009… Better punter now… I give edge to this team when everything clicking … Let’s see how it plays out…sari toga springs 2009 better team than shaker 2012…
statesman ,
this may be the last chance i get to see one of my former players , nick strang, i had the opportunity to coach on the allstar team two years ago and i was very impressed with tyree , i root for both of them !!!
Strang really came into his own up there. He’s a good kid, smart tol. I’m sure you’re proud of him. Hopefully they can make a decent run this year and play w/ house money. Should be a fun ride and I’m sure Tyre appreciates the love.
Justafactasaurus November 16th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
“Prince, u are a know nothing!!!!!!
I agree!!!”
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Try to play nice will ya? Without Prince these forums would lose a lot. He may be more subjective than objective but he contributes a lot. I enjoy all the feedback, even ones that attack me.
I really curse those b a s t a r d s at MSG Varsity. They carry endless games from Long Island, NYC and Jersey and a lot of garbage sports like Girls soccer yet they will not get off their Fat Azzes and cover this game live. Shame on you MSG Varsity.
Sir Siso, that was inside joke between me and Prince!!!
And I agree… Dude brings a lot… Personality and info!
Thanks guys!!..
MaxPreps has Shaker beating NewRo
Jersey
There wrong!!.. Again
Prince!!!!!!! Shaker going down…
New ro YTL could beat them!!!!!!
Yes… I said it!!!!!!!!!
Justafactasaurus, thanks for the kind words about Toga 2009, That was a solid team and New Ro did a good job staying cool and coming back to win. Have to disagree though about Troy 2010 being theirbestever they had a run late 90’s early 2000’s where they won a state title in Class A and a state title in AA, 2010 offense may have been better but the defense on the state title teams was brutal. Don’t underestimate Shaker, their line is very strong and they’ve beaten some solid teams, should be a good game.
Justafactasaurus November 17th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Prince!!!!!!! Shaker going down…
New ro YTL could beat them!!!!!!
Yes… I said it!!!!!!!!!
Beep…. Beep!!!
What a bunch of quitters this New Ro team is. They lead 20-0 against North Bergen and manage to lose late in the game. They lead Shaker 20-0 but about to lose again. I said this team has no heart and they proved it. This is such a disgrace and the biggest let up team ever. Take that to the bank.
Note I SAID that New Ro is not executing point after attempts all year long and it cost them a title. Team is a d-i-s-g-r-a-c-e.
Orchard Park will win the title, bank on it.
Spoke to soon Sir. New Ro just won. Wait till game is over before you pop off at the mouth.
FULL 48 MINUTES.. They are just high school kids take it easy bro…
No heart Sailor, New Ro got very lucky. And please do not coddle the kids thinking I am too harsh. This New Ro team CAVED in this game. I mean collapsed. No team wins championships with that label. 20 points lead and this team surrenders it.
I never mention anyone by name, I mention the team as a whole. Deal with it, life is a lot harder than these message boards.
Sir, get real. I coached HS Football for 16 years. In New York, Arizona and Florida. Trust me New York would get rolled by my Phoenix teams, Rolled bad. What I forgot about football you have not even learned yet. It’s just HS FOOTBALL TAKE IT FOR WHAT IS IS. You are way to serious. Just HS football BRO…
I agree Orchard Park will beat New Ro.. My best buddies kid plays for them OP.. So you are right there but that is about it…
See you in Cuse. Later Bro
A colossal collapse, not once, twice during the year by New Rochelle. And Coach D can’t fix the problem issue with point after attempts, his team misses half of them and he does not seem to care. If I were coach I would make some changes when the kids are not getting it done. Do not be surprised if Orchard Park wins next week by the margin of a missed Extra Point by New Ro. It would actually fall in line and be justice.
statesman ,
great to see tyree and strang today , they both played great, strang really developed his game , very quick delivery , good feet, we are proud. tyree was awsome , he closed with great speed , unblockable . i was very impressed , i had the chance to talk to him after the game , great kid and great future , awsome for dutchess county football
God Squad,
Glad to hear it was a safe trip. Sounds like the offense was unstoppable and the D struggled with the option attack before they settled. If Tyre continues at this pace he’ll have to get some pro looks as a James Harrison type OLB. I just hope he’s as passionate about his academic and professional development in case that falls through. Football takes up a lot of time in that regard and I wish he and Nick the best.