Fall Bears Extraordinaire
Tri-Valley Fall Sports Athletes Are Extolled For Their Outstanding Efforts
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Tri-Valley athletes enjoy a rare and special relationship with their coaches, a fact tearfully expressed by senior cross-country Co-MVP Olivia Rehm as she offers a tribute to coach Missy Iatauro (center). The Most Valuable Players from this fall appear in clockwise fashion from left to right: Greg Swarthout-football, Jim Bernstein-boys cross-country, Olivia Rehm and Autumn Bender-girls cross-country, Anthony Beale-boys soccer; Heidi Furman-girls tennis; Sarah Schneyer-girls soccer; Josue Ramos-boys soccer; Rachel Adriaans-girls soccer and Ali Reynolds-cheerleading
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Seasons change and time moves on apace. But memories linger on, especially for young men and women who have given their all to a particular sports endeavor. For the Tri-Valley athletes, this past fall was a wellspring for many such
memories.
So it was that on the evening of November 14, coaches called forth their teams to the stage and extolled their efforts in addition to presenting awards to several outstanding individuals.
By evening’s end, a slide show that chronicled the accomplishments of cheerleaders, cross-country harriers, soccer, football and tennis players flashed across the screen to the strains of uplifting music to reinforce the words of praise that had been spoken all evening long.
Athletic Director Derek Adams welcomed the audience and extended thanks to the parents, administration, building and grounds crew and the Board of Education for their great support. Quoting Nolan Ryan, Adams referenced the idea of enjoying success by virtue of adapting. Clearly this autumn with its surfeit of rainfall required that and more.
Cheerleading coach Leighanne Walsh lauded her team. This was her second year of coaching football cheerleading while all the while preparing routines for the upcoming basketball season. Walsh had great words of praise for seniors Brittany
Rennison, Jessica Lee, Stephanie Hyzer, Jackie Wallace, Amber Watch and AmberBuley. Dorothy Monforte was the team’s
MIP. Ali Reynolds was named as the Most Valuable Cheerleader and Schuyler Kraus won the Coach’s Award.
Junior varsity girls soccer coach Ryan Ahl had words of praise for his team and noted that several of the young women would soon be filling in the rank of the varsity squad next fall.
Varsity girls soccer Coach Mary Feusner started by averring what a privilege it was to work with her team. Challenged by the loss of 12 of last year’s players including nine to graduation, the Lady Bears fielded a team of 13 dedicated players this season bolstered by a few call ups from the junior varsity. Nine of Feusner’s 16 players were first timers. Feusner was assisted this season by Kayla
Connelly, one of her former players who brought her high school and college experience to bear on helping the squad.
The team made it to sectionals and improved on their pair of 7-0 losses to dominant S.S. Seward with a more competitive 3-1 defeat in the Class C quarterfinals.
The team scored 49 goals and had 27 assists while finishing the season at 8-9 and 4-8 in its division. They registered six shutouts and had ten goals against Chapel Field. They allowed 43 goals.
Megan Tyndell was selected as the team’s Most Improved Player. Rachel Adriaans was named as the Offensive MVP, while Sarah Schneyer won the honors as the Defensive MVP. Erin Smith won the Coach’s Award.
Cross-Country Coach Joe Iatauro called forth the boys and girls teams to the stage and proceeded to praise them for their outstanding efforts. The girls were donned in t-shirts that spelled out TEAM IATAURO! The relationship that Joe and Missy
Iatauro have fostered with their teams over the years is an integral part of the storied history the program has recorded.
Evincing strong performances at invitationals from coast to coast including the legendary Mt. Sac race in California was great preparation for the divisional championships recorded by the girls (12th consecutive) and the boys (second year in a row). The girls finished first at Mt. Sac in their division, the first time since 1992. The boys were fourth there out of 30 schools.
The girls won the Section Nine championship, while the boys finished second. The girls competed at this year’s state meet and did admirably despite unspeakably muddy conditions. It was Tri-Valley’s 19th appearance at the state meet.
Brendon Hasbrouck was named as the boys MIP. Jim Bernstein was awarded the honor as the MVP. Bernstein was the
Section Nine Class C champion and a state qualifier for the second consecutive year. He finished 29th in the state meet. Omar Lopez was the recipient of the Coach’s Award.
The girls team had an exceptional season. They were led by eighth grader Autumn Bender, who was named as Co-MVP along with Olivia Rehm. Iatauro lauded the intensive training regimen of his runners, in particular Rehm and Bernstein who logged 400 and 500 miles respectively this past summer. Danielle Graham was named as the girls team MIP.
Varsity football coach John Rusin was up next and literally gushed with pride as he recounted the heart and resolve of the Bears who started their season at 1-5, but could have easily been 5-1. The team had 14 seniors and Rusin praised each one including soccer converts Josue Ramos and Anthony Beale along with gridders Andrew Malone, Fred Dumond, Jon Edwards, Tyler Lopez, Shawn Markle, John Monforte, Rafael Ramos before awarding four other seniors with trophies and more words of praise.
Conor Walsh was named as the team’s MIP. “He played any position we asked him to,” noted Rusin. Troy Rossi was
the team’s Outstanding Defensive Player. He was second on the team in tackles and recorded 3 ½ sacks. “He is an
outstanding defensive player,” said Rusin.
Rusin extolled the courage, grit and success of Joe Mickelson, the team’s Outstanding Offensive Player. Mickelson had a mammoth season a year ago and despite a hairline fracture that kept him out of a couple of game this season, he morphed
from quarterback to fullback and had 53 carries for 391 yards bringing his career total to 508 yards. He also was outstanding on defense as middle linebacker.
“The best of the best,” is what Rusin had to say about MVP Greg Swarthout, a player who never leaves the field. “Durable,” was a word Rusin used to describe the stalwart senior who took over at quarterback when Mickelson went down. “He just gets it,” said Rusin about Swarthout’s intelligent and adept play. The Bears made it to the playoffs but lost to eventual Section Nine champion O’Neill. Winning two key league games including a homecoming thriller against Millbrook proved to be the ticket to this year’s
postseason berth.
Boys varsity soccer Coach Jason Closs lauded his team as a group of special individuals who showed vast improvement this season. Emphasizing rigorous conditioning, the Bears were determined to be in every game. The team had ten seniors including Anthony Beale, Dan Lederman, Hunter Kennedy, Christian Reynolds, Mike DeVault, Josue Ramos, Patrick McHugh, Eugene Morton, Tom Monforte and Ryan Erts.
Josue Ramos and Anthony Beale were named as Offensive MVP’s, while Tom Monforte received the honors as Defensive MVP.
Girls varsity tennis coach Janet Carey capped off the team presentations as she described the challenges of the merging of three divisions into two this season. That change meant playing bigger schools and tougher opponents. The team graduated its
entire roster last year except for its number-one singles player Heidi Furman who was joined on the team this season by fellow senior throwing cohort Dominique Darby.
Jennifer Sheeley was named as the team’s MIP, while veteran Heidi Furman was the obvious choice for MVP.
This writer spoke about the outstanding character evinced by Tri-Valley athletes and their impeccable sportsmanship. Benefiting from a supportive school and community and in particular affirming parents and coaches who serve as mentors and role models,
T-V athletes are making a valuable investment in their future through their efforts on the playing fields, courts and race venues.
Last winter was an exceptional one and as kids now move on to basketball, skiing, wrestling, cheerleading and indoor track, this year may well be dubbed “Tri-umphant Valley II.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Brave New World
Tri-Valley Returns To The Ethereal Afterlife Of Postseason Contention Behind Its Commanding League Win Against Defending Champion Millbrook; Once Hapless Bears Now Figure To Be A Fierce Foe As They Evince Newfound Efficiency To Go Along With Existing Heart and Grit
Tri-Valley 31, Millbrook 20
Field of Dreams: Tri-Valley celebrates its 31-20 Homecoming Night playoff-clinching win over Millbrook (Clockwise): Players erupt in jubilation at the game's conclusion. Millbrook's Henry Cardinal gives the Bears and their fans an initial sense of concern with his 65-yard TD run just 46 seconds into the game. Tri-Valley senior cheerleaders (left to right) Jackie Wallace, Stephanie Hyzer, Amber Buley, Brittany Rennison, Jessica Lee and Amber Watch. Wide-eyed and filled with emotion, Conor Walsh and Greg Swarthout listen to Coach John Rusin extol the play of the team and encourage them about the road ahead. The Bears burst through the homecoming banner. Greg Swarthout scores one of his two TD's. T-V senior gridders pose for a photo. Names are all listed in the story.
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—It’s not unlikely that many denizens of the local football world were stunned upon waking up early in the morning on October 22 to learn that Tri-Valley had made the playoffs; that the team many had come to regard as the reincarnation of the “Bad News Bears, had beaten a tough Millbrook team up and down the field in a momentous 33-20 win consigning the defending Class C champs to be observers of the coming playoff rounds they ruled a year ago.
You can't say enough about the heart and toughness of Joe Mickelson. Out for weeks with a hairline fracture to his tibia, the senior returned when it mattered the most. His work over the past two league wins has been immense. This game: 21 carries for 155 yards.
Tri-Valley’s 2-1 league mark would now carry them back to a milieu many figured would be lacking their presence this season, namely a chance to vie for a Section Nine Class C Championship in the coming playoffs.
But those of us who have been close to this team and know these boys and their coaches, never doubted whether they could indeed pass through that magical portal.
We knew that the Bears’ losing record was not a true reflection of the team’s talent and drive, and that should they qualify for the big dance, that they would be a fearsome adversary for any of the teams they had to face,.
That said, Tri-Valley’s record prior to its two recent league wins against Fallsburg and now Millbrook was a dismal 1-5. As Coach John Rusin put it, he was tired of opposing coaches telling him how tough his team was, how they had pushed their teams up and down the field and how they were the best 1-5 team in Section Nine.
That and $2.50 will get you a ride on a NYC subway to the end of the line.in other words.. to nowhere. Now the reborn Bears are going for a ride with an entirely new destination, aboard an express train which they are conducting. Warning signals are flashing up ahead to teams in their way: T-V’s express has no brakes.
What a difference a day makes.
Tri-Valley players and coaches will be the first to admit that for much of this season they had been a train wreck. After all, when your positive game highlights are overshadowed by countless turnovers and blunders, you don’t show up on anybody’s radar as more than a benign blip.
But the Bears knew that were it not for those weekly slip ups, that they could easily have been 5-1 and regarded as fearsome Grizzlies by Section Nine teams instead of being considered….well…..dare we say it.. Teddy Bears to be played with and cast aside.
Rusin knew his team had talent, toughness and heart. What they needed was to play nearly flawless football to show what they were made of.
A picture's worth a thousand words: Greg Swarthout shows his excitement after a rushing TD. He carried the ball 15 times for 102 yards and completed 2/5/33 yards including a TD pass to Cody Exner.
And so it was that after losing to O”Neill, he told his team that they had destiny in their hands. That if they beat division foes Fallsburg and Millbrook, they’d be in the playoffs with a zero-zero record just like O’Neill, Sullivan West and Burke, a trio of teams that profited by T-V mistakes to marshal victories.
Moreover, he told them, they’d be a dangerous foe, potentially lethal. But first they would have to take care of the business at hand and defer their dreams about paying two of the aforementioned teams back in spades.
Fallsburg could have been regarded as an easy mark, but the Bears did not take the Comets lightly. Playing a team in search of its first-ever win on its Homecoming Night, on a field that was a muddy mire had more than enough potential for a disastrous slip up.
But the Bears who had upended themselves against Chester, Sullivan West, O’Neill, Eldred and Burke were done sliding in the standings, though there was plenty of slippage on the mud at Morningside Park.
Steady Joe Mickelson took the ball 16 times for 175 yards and scored two TD’s, his formerly broken tibia now a distant memory. Greg Swarthout, Brendan Tierney and Shatik Smith scored as well and Anthony Beale added five PAT points as the Bears rolled to a 41-14 road win over the Comets..
Now would come the acid test.
The Bears and the Fiery Millbrook Blazers were each 1-1 in Division II coming into this do-or-die clash. The winner would advance to the playoffs, while the loser would have its title contention hopes abruptly terminated.
Millbrook's Lucas Lehmkuhl races for an 11-yard TD in the third quarter. The Blazers pulled within a TD and two-point conversion before Anthony Beale iced the deal with a late field goal.
Seniors in particular, would be devastated by such a tragic finale to their high school careers.
The Bears won the toss and elected to defer, daring Millbrook to reckon with its fierce defense .
Egged on by the capacity home crowd the Bears burst through the cheerleaders ‘Homecoming banner to rally around their beloved coach.
The sounds of the pep band, the cheerleaders and the rabid fan base filled the night.
Tri-Valley fans adore their team no matter what the season. Years back nearly every denizen of the community traveled to Westbury, Long Island to watch the Bears play Friends Academy in a boys basketball regional final. Had they won they would have filled the stands at Glens Falls. Last year they packed Mount St. Mary College to watch their Section Nine girls champs vie against Haldane bound and determined to head to Troy if they had advanced.
But back to the present.
At last the long wait was over. The kick went up and the Millbrook blaze ignited forthwith. On the second play from scrimmage tight end Henry Cardinal dashed 65 yards up the left sideline at 11:14 to draw first blood. Devon Jackson kicked the PAT and the Blazers were on the board with a 7-0 lead.
Jackson kicked off and the Bears took over at their own 35. Joe Mickelson took a steady diet of carries interspersed with advances by Cody Exner. In just four and a half minutes the Bears marched 65 yards in eight plays as Greg Swarthout capped off the drive with a one-yard TD at 6:43. The PAT failed and the Blazers held a narrow 7-6 lead.
Cody Exner cruises into the endzone. He carried the ball 9 times for 62 yards, rushed for a TD and caught a pass for another.
Millbrook began its next quest at its 34with an 11 yard run by Lucas Lehmkul. It soon became evident however that the Bears were getting great backside penetration on Millbrook’s attempted sweeps with tackles from Jesus Lozada, Troy Rossi and Brendan Tierney. Millbrook got as far as the T-V 44 before the Bears held firm and took over on downs.
As the quarter waned it was Mickelson carrying the load again with a first down and Exner getting it to the Millbrook 45. Two plays later Swarthout took off on a keeper for a 35-yard TD run at 11:13 of the second quarter. Mickelson ran in the two-point conversion and the Bears led 14-7.
Henry Cardinal was tagged for a loss by Rossi as was Brad Pitz as the Bears were now extinguishing the Blazers blaze by forcing a punt. The short kick gave T-V the ball at the MB 40. A pitch to Exner netted nine but a penalty made it a first and 15. After two failed run attempts, Swarthout uncorked a 30-yard TD pass to Exner at 6:36 of the second quarter to make it 20-7. Beale punctuated it with a PAT and the Bears now led 21-7.
As Millbrook Coach Sean Keenan would later point out, Tri-Valley disrupted Millbrook’s run game by penetrating from behind and causing loss after loss. “Their kids fly to the ball. We knew this was going to be a war. We didn’t do our best job of blocking and they just ran underneath our blocks and dismantled us,” he said.
That defensive efficiency resulted in a three and out on the Millbrook series following the Bears’ most recent score. T-V took over on downs and made a stalwart stand on a fourth and seven play on an advance that had taken Millbrook all the way to the T-V 16. “Get a stop now,” yelled Rusin and his team took him at his word.
Halftime verve! T-V cheerleaders rev it up with a great show of skill, flexibility and spirit.
The Bears got it back on downs, got off a nice weaving run by Exner but the half ended and the seniors got ready for their introduction and flower rendering ceremony to their parents and loved ones.
The following football seniors were called forth and posed for pictures with their family, friends and loved ones:: Greg Swarthout, Conor Walsh, Anthony Beale, John Monforte, Andrew Malone, Tyler Lopez, Joe Mickelson, Shawn Markle, Troy Rossi, Rafael Ramirez, Jonathan Edwards, Jameshenry Osterhoudt and Fred Dumond, Senior cheerleaders included Jackie Wallace, Stephanie Hyzer, Amber Buley, Brittany Rennison, Jessica Lee and Amber Watch.
The cheerleaders performed at the half much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.
The Bears received to start the second half and within three plays, they were on the board again, this time behind a 25-yard TD run by Swarthout at 11:17. Beale’s PAT made it 28-7 but you knew Millbrook wasn’t going quietly.
On the next series, the Blazers responded with a series of powerful runs by Lehmkul and Pitz and a pass reception by Jackson. Lehmkul capped off the drive with an 11-yard TD run at 8:19. Jackson kicked the PAT and the Blazers had closed the gap to 28-14.
They punctuated that by forcing a three and out on the Bears next series.
With 5:03 left in the third quarter the Blazers began at their own 21 but three plays later, a Lehmkul fumble was recovered by Walsh and with 1:59 remaining in the period.
T-V safety Shatik Smith makes sure Millbrook's Jonathan Crane stays down after his pass reception. The Bears defense yielded two TD's in the second half but held firm when it mattered for the win.
The Bears did not capitalize on the takeaway however as they began with a delay of game penalty. The quarter ended with them facing a third and eight at their own 40.
The fourth quarter began with what appeared to be a 60-yard TD pass to Exner but it was called back on a holding penalty. The series fizzled and the Bears punted.
In the next Blazers’ series, Millbrook compensated for a couple of run losses by garnering a 26-yard TD pass from Crane to Lehmkul at 9:04. The PAT sailed wide right but the Blazers were now a TD and two-point conversion within tying it up as they trailed 28-20 with plenty of time left.
Tri-Valley’s temporary reversion to its errant care of the football afforded Millbrook another try as a fumble on a pitch was recovered by Lehmkul at 6:22 at their own 38. Jonathan Edwards was hurt on the play and didn’t return for the remainder of the game. Soon he’d have company on the bench as John Anzano would join him with an injured ankle. Exner had sat out following his 60-yard callback.
Millbrook couldn’t make hay out of the takeaway. They began with a holding penalty and two snuffed running plays as the Bears were heeding Rossi’s impassioned call: “WE ARE GOING TO SECTIONALS,” he barked to his fellow defenders.
The Bears responded by stopping Millbrook on a fourth and ten play at their own 28.
The Bears got it back on downs with 3:42 remaining in the game. Mickelson marshaled one first down but the Bears found themselves facing a fourth and four at the nine. Rusin called a time out and decided on a field goal try.
Beale kicked it from the 25 straight through the uprights for the game-clinching 3 points as the Bears now led 31-20 with just 1:27 remaining in the game.
The clock and season ran out on the Blazers as the Bears celebrated the victory with hugs, smiles and a few tears of joy.
Keenan had loads of praise for Tri-Valley:
“We’ve watched them two or three times. They’re a big, physical team and they play hard. John and his staff did a great job. We never show our team film of the opponent but this past week we did it twice so they would know how good these guys were,” he noted.
Millbrook lost to Burke on a fumble recovery earlier in the season which put the Blazers in the same boat as the Bears.
Players listen to their coach John Rusin as he extols their play and tells them to enjoy their weekend safely and wisely. This week's preparation is all about O'Neill.
Rusin praised his troops before turning to talk to this writer, “You executed, limited turnovers and special teams were an asset. I’m so proud of you. You took responsibility. Everybody did what they wre supposed to do. It was a total team effort. Your record before doesn’t mean anything. Do you want the next one?” he barked. The answer from the team was deafening in its unison call of yes.
“It was so frustrating earlier in the season to see so much talent not actualizing its potential. We have senior leadership, a solid line, a good backfield, smart quarterbacks and our defense is tough. It’s a matter of putting things together, limiting mistakes and other teams’ big plays and special teams have to be a big part of it too,” he asserted.
“Millbrook is extremely well coached and they bring an offense you dread to play against. If any of your defensive 11 has a lapse they will exploit it. You just simply have to outscore them. We’ve scored 58 points in a game against them and lost.”
He went on to say, “Our guys did a good job of moving the ball and that allowed our defense to play and not have to worry about every play,.” Looking ahead to the playoffs, Rusin noted that teams will be more prepared the second time around given the fact that all of the other teams in the playoffs played T-V this year.
If the Bears beat O’Neill they’ll face the winner of the Burke-Sullivan West game in the title game. Last year they lost to Burke in the semifinals. The Bears won the Class C title in 2007 when they defeated Sullivan West 18-6.
The seniors linked arms and walked across their home field to cherish the memory of their last home game. As they walked, I strode alongside to listen to their thoughts and to soak up the final vibrations of a special night.
Here’s what was on their minds:
Greg Swarthout: “It feels so good to get a win at our last home game. I ‘ve got to give a lot of credit to the line. They were shuffling in and out with injuries and switching positions from guard to tackle. Millbrook is a really good team. Their system is tough. They give you fits. We worked extremely hard on extending our ends and clamping down on their jet sweeps,” he observed.
Anthony Beale
Anthony Beale: “The last two field goals I tried I missed but this time I was pretty relaxed. Now every time I try to think of it as an extra point and not worry about the distance. Football is so much fun. I’m just a kicker but these guys accept me and I love how they play with a lot of heart, as does my soccer team. I wouldn’t trade either sport for the other. I’m blessed to have the teammates I have on both squads,” he averred.
Conor Walsh: “It feels absolutely great. I’ve been with most of these seniors since Pumpkin Patch prekindergarten. We’ve grown up together. I used to wrestle with Greg in the hallway. Tonight feels ecstatic. I couldn’t want anything more than to go into the playoffs with my fellow seniors who I grew up with.”
Conor Walsh
Joe Mickelson:“Playing Millbrook was insane! They play great. Their coaching is great. They knew every play we were calling. I could hear them calling them out. I have to say this was the best defensive game Brendan Tierney has had in his career, penetrating that back side. As a senior I’m excited we’re going to the playoffs,
Joe Mickelson
Now we’re looking to run the table.”
Tri-Valley plays O’Neill at Middletown’s Faller Field on October 28 at 4;00pm.
Tri-Valley Stat line:
Mickelson 12/155; Exner 9/62 with one rushing TD and one 30-yard TD catch; Swarthout 15/102 with a TD; He completed 2/5 passes for 33 yards and a TD;
Leading tacklers included Jesus Lozada, Troy Rossi, Brendan Tierney, John Monforte and Joe Mickelson. Tackling statistics were not totally tabulated so numbers are not listed.
Happy Berth Day Lady Bears!
T-V senior keeper Erin Smith goes aloft for an electrifying save against Fallsburg.
Tri-Valley needed just one more win to make it to sectionals and they had hoped to garner that honor under the lights on October 21. But due to the calamitous collision between Fallsburg’s Arturo Perez and T-V’s Hunter Kennedy that had brought an end to the boys game and postponed the girls clash, the game was deferred to the next afternoon.
Fallsburg was about to unveil what Coach Mike Geller would term his team’s best play under his watch. Indeed, it was a highly competive match, even more so in the second half wherein Fallsburg had the lion’s share of the possession. Tri-Valley got two goals in the first half. The first one came at 17:17 as junior varsity call-up Ashley (A.J) Johnson picked up a pass from Mareena DiMIlia and lofted it over the head of Comet keeper Brooke Rappaport for the 1-0 lead.
At 28:00 T-V sophomore midfielder/striker Amanda Tyndell added another goal on an assist from Colleen Jones. With T-V’s staunch defense heading off Fallsburg’s runs that rarely reached keeper Erin Smith, the Lady Bears were able to marshal the needed victory. Smith made an electrifying save, one of her six on the day, as she went aloft to punch a ball skyward out of harm’s way in the upper right corner of the box.
Fallsburg’s Brooke Rappaport would have nine saves on the day and also showed her defiance of gravity on one of those nixes.
“The first half was much better than the second half,” noted T-V Coach Mary Feusner. “I think that everybody that was out there contributed in a good way for us. We were getting our shots off. Sometimes we needed to have a little bit more patience before shooting. In the first half we got to get to the battle of the net and that’s what did it for us,” she observed..
The Bears improved to 8-7 (4-7 OCIAA) and will play S.S. Seward at home on October 25. Sectional seeding will be revealed on October 27.
Mike Geller noted that his team was doing exactly the kinds of things he has taught them. They hustled, and vied to win every 50-50 ball. Geller had immense praise for Rappaport in the cage.
Fallsburg fell to 4-8 -1 (1-8-1 OCIAA).
For albums of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Sudden Impact
Tri-Valley/Fallsburg Boys Soccer Game Terminated After Frightening Second Period Collision Of Players; Girls Game Postponed As Well Due To Safety Concerns; Fallsburg’s Arturo Perez Okay After Night’s Stay At CRMC; Hunter Kennedy Treated And Released From Hospital
Fallsburg 2, Tri-Valley 0
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
A night of great soccer would change into a night of gloomy concern after a scary midfield collision between Fallsburg sophomore Arturo Perez featured in earlier action in the top left photo and Tri-Valley's Hunter Kennedy pictured next to Perez, again earlier in the game in the top photo at right as they observe a scramble in front of the T-V goal. Perez was seriously hurt and had to be transported by ambulance to CRMC where he remained overnight. He' and Kennedy are both okay. Bottom left: Sam Didinsky beats T-V keeper Mike Devault for the game's first goal. Another close encounter of the cerebral kind: Didinsky and Tom Monforte nearly bang heads as Patrick McHugh looks on.
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—It only takes a second for life to suddenly shift from the routine to the starkly dramatic.
The dramatic faces of comedy and tragedy mirror life's starkly contrasting emotions.
Ask drivers or passengers who have ever been in accidents. One minute they were just going along and then out of nowhere comes that unforgettable moment of a collision, that terrifying sound of metal on metal and then the aftermath….
Lives can be changed or even lost in the space of a nanosecond and we rarely see it coming.
As I write this piece that can’t help but focus on the terrifying on the field collision between Fallsburg sophomore Arturo Perez and Tri-Valley senior Hunter Kennedy, I am reminded just how precious life is, how fragile we are.
In the blink of an eye the focus on this chilly night shifted without warning from a compelling soccer game between rivals teams to the grave concerns about what could have been a potentially life-threatening injury.
Before recounting what occurred, it is of paramount importance to report that both boys are okay.
Perez was assiduously attended to by the Grahamsville EMS team and covered with a cascade of donated jackets, sweatshirts and sweaters from concerned fans to prevent him from going into shock.
Fallsburg senior keeper Dustin Foertsch making one of his powerful punts. Foertsch and teammate Daniel Justiniano went to the hospital to look in on Arturo Perez.. The team is literally a band of brothers.
This transpired just moments following the head-to-head collision with the much larger Kennedy as the two boys raced with all the verve of their youth and determination for a ball that veered towards the near sideline, literally a few feet from my fixed attention, not to mention far too close to be photographed by my nearly 300mm zoom lens. .
Kennedy was clearly shaken up, but soon able to get up on his own power apply an ice pack to his aching head and looked over by EMS staff, before heading off to the hospital with his mom to be further checked out.
By stark contrast, Perez had fallen instantly to the field and immediately went into convulsions which then morphed into an even more frightening state of motionless as coaches and other personnel rushed to his aid.
As is the case with volunteer ambulance services in rural areas, it took awhile for the ambulance to arrive. Meanwhile Coach Herb Foertsch knelt over Perez, holding his hand and reassuring him that help was on the way.
The EMS team methodically assessed Perez’s vital signs, checking his pupils for dilation and rendering his neck and head motionless for the ensuing transfer to a backboard beforeh is trip to Catskill Regional Medical Center.
The collision had occurred in an area of the field partially darkened by a stubborn set of lights that had kept going out during the game. There was still sufficient light for the game to be played in but officials had already decided during the halftime that if any others had gone out they were going to call the game and the subsequent girls game slated to follow.
Tri-Valley's Anthony Beale nearly gets one by Dustin Foertsch. Operative word here: nearly.
The incident occurred with 18:55 remaining in the second period. Fallsburg led 2-0 at that juncture but the game was clearly no longer the focus at this point; only the safety and well-being of the injured players and by extension, the two teams who awaited news about their condition and what was to happen next.
Foertsch never thought twice about what he needed to do. He accompanied Perez to the hospital in the ambulance. Devoted to his players whom he regards as his own children just like he does his son Dustin who is the team’s keeper, he sped off in the ambulance, leaving things in the hands of his able assistant coach Mike St. Lawrence.
The latter expressed his reservations to the officials about putting his team back out there on the partially darkened field and told them that Fallsburg Athletic Director Tim Bult was on his way and that the decision would rest with him and the Tri-Valley Athletic Director as to whether the game should be resumed.
By now it was getting later and later and the girls game slated to start at 8:00 would have been delayed by more than a half-hour at the least. Bult conferred with Tri-Valley Athletic Director Derek Adams, the coaches and the officials and after a lengthy confab, the game was called.
“Safety is our principal concern, “ stated Bult who noted that the game was official having passed its halfway mark and that the girls game would be rescheduled as quickly as they could agree on a viable date/time.
Foertsch’s wife Winnie, who diligently photographs Fallsburg sports of every ilk and variety was visibly shaken by the scene. Like her husband, she is immeasurably close to her son’s teammates. She messaged me early the next morning to let me know the boys were okay and that Dustin Foertsch and Danny Justiniano had gone to the hospital to be on hand for their teammate.
Such brotherhood is part and parcel of teams like Fallsburg where the bond of playing together forges abiding friendship and love. Perez is the younger brother of the now –graduated Victor Perez. The family ties speak for themselves and by family I am referring to the entire team connection.
While Tri-Valley (1-13, 0-9 OCIAA) is no longer in contention for a playoff berth, Fallsburg now 4-7 (2-5 OCIAA) needed to win every remaining game including this one, two against Eldred and one versus Chester to return to the sectionals where it has had its share of success as well as drama over the past two years.
The Bears kicked off to start the game but Fallsburg went right on the attack. Tri-Valley had trouble clearing the ball in the early going as Sam Didinsky turned it back as did Austin Halchak as the Comets pressed their cause.
Fallsburg drew first blood with 4:37 gone by on a goal by Didinsky for the 1-0 lead.
Fallsburg's Victor Martinez and Tri-Valley's Dan Lederman vie for a ball near the sideline.
Tri-Valley looked to counter as the ball was sent ahead to a charging Tyler Greffrath. Fallsburg knocked it out and on a throw in by Dan Lederman the Bears tried to take advantage of the short field in front of Foertsch to make something happen.
Fallsburg’s Alan Sierra prevented that with a rapid rush up the far side. T-V kicked it back in but Justiniano was there to reverse it again as the back-and-forth parry continued. Mike Devault made a save on a Fallsburg shot attempt. Devault stopped a Didinsky shot as the fiery Comet held the sides of his head in disappointment.
Much of the play continued in the midfield with great intensity, a foreshadowing of the second half catharsis but there would be no more scoring in the period as the teams came off the field with the Comets holding the narrow 1-0 lead.
The Comets would add to that with a goal by José Rubio on an assist from Didinsky at 24:17. The Bears had a couple of chances to get it by Foertsch including shots by Greffrath and Anthony Beale but the dominant keeper wasn’t going to be beaten on this night.
With the second period now more than half gone, the pace intensified as the Bears tried to break through. It was then that the aforementioned collision occurred and everything came to a halt.
Clearly the game stats were the last thing on my mind so I am unable to report on the minutiae including shots on goal, saves etc. Once the decision to call the game was rendered, Fallsburg’s 2-0 victory went into the books. The fans and the girls teams exited the field. The Tri-Valley girls who were hoping to clinch a playoff berth with a win over Fallsburg will now have to wait for that potential chance.
Good Golly Ms. Volley
Fallsburg senior volleyball players are honored on Senior Recognition Night: Left to right (players and coaches names only not including their representatives (sorry!) Coach Carlye Hyde, Shanice Mack, Isabel Mejia, Alexis McCarthy, Nicolle Freeman and Marie Countryman.
Fallsburg senior volleyball players had were honored on Senior Recognition Night prior to their 3-1 victory over Liberty. T-V seniors include Marie Countryman, Nicolle Freeman, Alexis McCarthy, Isabel Mejiaa and Shanice Mack. The girls posed for photos with their loved ones prior to the game in the ceremony overseen by Athletic Director Tim Bult and Coach Carlye Hyde.
The Lady Indians won the opening set 25-19 but the Lady Comets came back to win the subsequent three sets by the scores of 25-23, 25-18 and 25-20 to garner their third win and a season sweep of the Lady Indians. Fallsburg’s other win came against S.S. Seward.
Top Performers:
Fallsburg: Melissa Melko 7 aces, 19 service points, 4 digs; Shanice Mack 5 aces, 10 service points, 5 kills, 3 blocks, 3 digs; Isabel Mejia 3 aces, 5 service points, 3 kills, 4 digs.
Liberty: Tea Williams 4 aces, 10 service points, 3 assists, 5 kills, 4 blocks; Cortney Sawyer 2 aces, 9 service points, 3 assists, 6 kills, 2 digs; Kristen Siegel 4 service points, 5 assists.
Records: Fallsburg 3-15; Liberty 1-16.
For albums of photos from the volleyball and soccer games visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
On A Mission
Bears Fall To Playoff-Bound Raiders As Turnover Woes Continue; Non-League Game Could Well Be A Preview Of First Round Playoff Tilt As Bears Control Their Own Destiny; Raiders Vow To Hone Their Edge To Facilitate Successful Playoff Run
James I. O’Neill 29, Tri-Valley 15
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Scenes from the Tri-Valley vs. O'Neill non-league clash..perhaps a preview of a first-round playoff game if the Bears win out over Fallsburg and Millbrook (Clockwise) O''Neill's Matt McCarthy hauls in a four--yard TD pass from Keegan West after the Raiders capitalize on a T-V fumble of a kickoff. Another Bears miscue leads to a second TD in the first half as Amon Gerber returns a punt for a TD to regain the lead. Tri-Valley's Shatik Smith intercepts a pass intended for O'Neills' Chris Olave and T-V's Cody Exner races for a 60-yard TD to give the Bears the lead back in the third quarter.
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—For all the apparent difference in their relative success and the lack thereof, 5-1 O’Neill and 1-5 Tri-Valley have several things in common. While the Raiders are already booked as the number-one seed from Division One for the October 28 playoff opener and the Bears must now run the table against Division II foes Fallsburg and Millbrook, the mission is the same: Make fewer mistakes, sustain drives and sharpen up or else….
O'Neill junior workhorse Jerry Nasi applies a straight arm to Tri-Valley's Conor Walsh. Strong, fast and tough to bring down, Nasi is a lethal weapon. In this game it was a workman-like 113 yards on 25 carries and a TD.
For O’Neill Coach Anthony Finochio that “Or else” meaning elimination in the playoffs, can be avoided by his team looking even sharper and avoiding mental errors. “If we want to make a run through the playoffs we have to nix those in the bud and play flawless football,” he said following his team’s 29-15 win over a tough, physical Tri-Valley team that held leads at two separate times in this game including a 15-14 edge midway through the third quarter.
The “Or Else,” for Tri-Valley is infinitely more daunting.
The Bears turned the ball over three times in this game, thereby shooting themselves in their bullet-ridden feet yet again as Coach John Rusin described this day’s somber outcome as an ongoing sore point. “ A “broken record. It’s week in and week out,” he noted as the talented Bears continue to neutralize their fine play at times with costly errors.
Now in the eleventh hour of their season the Bears have no margin for further error as they prepare to play a pair of league games against Fallsburg and Millbrook.
To make the playoffs Tri-Valley must win both of those games and if they do, it will be O’Neill they will face in the first round of the playoffs. If this game is any indication, that could be an all-out war as both squads know what they’re up against.
Rusin believes if his team gets to the playoffs that they could “Make some serious noise.” I’m sure Finochio and his Raiders won’t take that challenge lightly…or else…
Rusin hammered the message to his troops following this latest loss that followed the same script. “We are turning the ball over way too much. Minus three is the story of this game. We moved the ball well, played good defense as we have throughout but we can’t keep giving people short fields and we can’t stall drives with turnovers,” he stated emphatically.
They don't build them any tougher: Joe Mickelson, back from a hairline tibia fracture rushes the ball from the fullback spot. Mickelson brings the right stuff for T-V to win but mistakes must be minimized to do so.
Rusin believes in his team, but eschews the notorious distinction of being the “best 1-5 team in Section Nine. “I’m tired of hearing the other team’s coach tell me we’re the toughest team they’ve played all year and that you beat us up and down the field and that we’re going to give next week’s opponent hell. Those are direct quotes,” Rusin avers but they are not the words he relishes in the least.
Yet for all of the heartbreak and the mélange of miscues, Tri-Valley is in position to benefit from the requirements of playoff contention, namely to emerge with a positive league record, thereby rendering all of these past weeks defeats meaningless.
Much has and will be said about this process whereby teams like Liberty could easily be 6-3 by season’s end, having lost two league games by a single point and find themselves on the outside looking in. You can be sure that the entire system will be scrutinized severely as it renders most of the games teams play as insignificant in terms of playoff entry.
Tri-Valley won the toss and elected to defer, a logical choice given the fact that its defense has consistently been its strongest suit all year. “Let’s set the tone! They’ve come here to try and pound us but don’t let them dictate the tempo o f the game,” Rusin implored.
Tyler Lopez, returning from his absence since the Pine Plains game, kicked the ball out of bounds and the Raiders set up at the 35. As expected the first carry went to junior workhorse Jerry Nasi, his first of 25 on the day, this one for a nine-yard gain. He took it again for a first down before Joe Mickelson tagged him for a loss.
Mickelson’s return from a hairline tibia fracture was a plus for the Bears. In his absence fellow senior Greg Swarthout has been calling the signals. Mickelson would play fullback in this tilt and would make a fine showing therein, but here on defense he showed his aggressive verve had not been dulled by his inactivity.
O’Neill committed a pair of offsides penalties, giving credence to Finochio’s contention about his team’s lack of mental focus at times. That doomed this first series and after an incomplete pass to Matt McCarthy, the Raiders got set to punt.
When it comes to spirit there is none greater than that exuded by the Tri-Valley cheerleaders.
The Bears’ elation about their fine defensive stop was short-lived as Shatik Smith fumbled the punt and the Raiders recovered it at the Bears’ 20. Troy Rossi stopped Nasi in his tracks on first down. Nasi wove in out and for five before being dropped by Jesus Lozada bringing up third and five at the 15.Nasi met Brendan Tierney and Rossi on his next attempt.
The Raiders went to the air on fourth down as quarterback Keegan West hit McCarthy for the 15-yard TD at 7:08. O’Neill surrendered five yards on the PAT attempt by dint of their third offsides penalty and kicker Jordan Baskerville’s kick sailed wide right as the Raiders now led 6-0.
Mickelson carries brought a first down as Finochio called a time out after yelling, “Trips,” seeing a trio of T-V receivers in a formation he felt his team was unprepared to defend against. The Bears soon penetrated into Raider territory with their ground game. The chains kept moving as the Bears marched on with runs by Swarthout, Mickelson and a pitch to Lopez.
The drive continued as Swarthout converted a third and two run from the 25 to the Raiders’ 19. The Bears were moving the ball at will as they garnered a first and goal from the nine with 2:09 to go in the first quarter. O’Neill stiffened as the Bears faced a fourth and goal at the two as the quarter ended.
Pass defense will be needed to beat O'Neill whose running game sets up strikes like the one that beat Sullivan West. Here T-V's Shatik Smith defends against Chris Olave as the ball falls for an incompletion.
Mickelson was stopped and the Raiders took over at the three. Furious at having squandered their attempt to take the lead the Bears’ defense bore down on O’Neill looking for a safety. The Raiders barely avoided such on the first carry by Nasi. On a third and 11 it appeared they had Nasi in the end zone but the officials said no.
The ensuing punt was a short one giving the Bears the ball just outside the ten. Smith caught a ball coming back across the grain to bring the ball to the three. Cody Exner ran it in from the one at 7:44 to tie it at six- all. Anthony Beale gave the Bears the 7-6 lead with his PAT.
Lopez fired an onsides kick that was rolling loose before the Raiders recovered it. A flag signaled a late hit by T-V’s Aric Boyes affording the Raiders fine field position at their own 47. O’Neill tried a sweep with Kyle Kilner carrying but Rossi snuffed it out after a yard. The ball came loose but it was ruled to be after the play.
Facing a fourth and five the Raiders went to the Power I formation and Nasi got the needed yardage to the T-V 36. After an incomplete pass to McCarthy, West went to the air again but it was Smith who came up with the ball as he dove to take it away from intended receiver Chris Olave.
A jubilant Smith was lifted aloft by Brendan Tierney but as it would turn out, the Bears failed to capitalize on the break. Instead, their drive stalled and in a dramatic turn of events, they allowed O’Neill’s Amon Gerber to return a punt all the way to the house. Nasi ran in the two-point conversion out of the “Power I” formation to put the Raiders in the drivers’ seat to the tune of 14-7 with 2:37 left in the half.
The Bears worked to get the lead back with a run by Exner and a reception of a halfback option pass by the stalwart junior but a Mickelson fumble was recovered by O’Neill’s Zach Trainor to extinguish the threat. O’Neill carried the 14-7 lead into halftime after the Bears’ defense stymied O’Neill’s final drive that ended with a sack of West by Fred Dumond and Rossi and a trio of incomplete passes.
Rusin’s address to his troops at the half must have been a stern one given the turn of events.
The Bears began the second half with a return to the 33 by Exner. A big run by Exner was brought back by a block in the back. After a short gain by Tierney, Exner broke loose for a 60-yard TD run at 10:15 to make it 14-13.
O’Neill was called for offsides and Rusin replaced his PAT array with his offense to go for two. Mickelson took over at QB for this play and effected a sneak for the 15-14 lead.
Jesus Lozada denied Gerber a kickoff return as he zoomed in on the quick sophomore determined to not allow him game-breaking runback.
The Raiders went back to a steady diet of Nasi who soon had the chains moving in the Raiders’ favor to the O’Neill 41. With a fourth a three to go at the O’Neill 49, Nasi got the first down as officials issued a sideline warning to the T-V coaches.
McCarthy snared a pass as he ran in between Smith and John Monforte just moments after defensive coach Joe Porcaro had yelled for Smith to drop back. The ball now sat at the T-V 20 with 5:45 to go in the third quarter.
On a third and two, West hit McCarthy with a 12-yard TD pass at 4:20 for the 20-15 lead. Nasi carried it in for the two-point conversion to make it 22-15.
Again the Bears were moving the ball on the ground but an option pitch to Conor Walsh was recovered by Kilner snuffing out yet another T-V drive. Kilner carried it to the Bears’ 40. Nasi came up short on a third down play giving the Raiders a fourth and two at the Bears’ 28 as the quarter expired.
West got the first down on a keeper. The Bears worked assiduously to hold the Raiders out but Nasi twisted and turned his way to the 11. Lozada knocked Nasi back to the 14 on the next play. On a third down play the Raiders used effective trap blocking to spring Nasi for the nine-yard TD to the outside at 7:41 for the 28-15 lead.
A snap infraction on the center pushed the ball back on the PAT but Baskervile split the uprights anyway for the 29-15 lead.
The Bears began at their own 24. A roughing the passer penalty availed the Bears extra yardage as the Bears moved it with a pass and a reverse to the O”Neill 31. Down by two the Bears got another first down at the 20 with 3:58 to go but the clock was moving as Swarthout was caught behind the line of scrimmage by Chris VanSkyock. Facing a fourth and long back at the 27 the Bears failed to convert on a screen pass to Mickelson as the Raiders took over on downs with 2:22 to go.
O’Neill kept it on the ground to run out the clock. The Bears used their last time outs to no avail as they were unable to thwart a final fourth and inches. The game ended with O’Neill in possession of the ball and the victory.
Nasi took the win in stride acknowledging the fact that there is much yet to do. “We still have a lot of work to do. Tri-Valley was physical and fast, “ he said giving props to the Bears, “but we’ve got to get better each week.”
Finochio had already stated as much in his comments that began with praise for Nasi. “he finds the seams and does a good job. When you have a great running game it does open up passing lanes too,” he noted referencing the TD catches from McCarthy.
“The formula has been working and we’re trying to get better week to week,” he said. Asked if he had held anything back anticipating that the Bears might be the team the Raiders would face in the playoffs, Finochio quickly replied, “No, we play to win every game.”
Rusin’s words conveyed his disappointment, while he continued to cite his team’s toughness and work ethic. “Am I proud of them? Absolutely. Do I want more them? Absolutely. They’re a much better football team than their record shows but the left column is all anybody ever looks at. Repeating the mantra he will stress each and every day over the coming week, “We control our own destiny. But if we turn the ball over three times to Fallsburg, we will lose.”
Tri-Valley’s mission is to dampen the Comets’ Homecoming by garnering the win. If they do that, they will then turn their attention to talented Millbrook whom they host on their own Homecoming the following week to determine which team will face O’Neill on October 28.
O’Neill plays Livingston Manor Roscoe and Ellenville in its final two tune ups.
Tri-Valley stat line:
Rushing: Exner: 7/93 2TD’s; Mickelson: 16/60 2PT conversion; Swarthout: 9/34; Lopez: 2/7;Tierney: 1/2; .Total: 35/196.
Passing: Swarthout: 3/5 32YDS; Mickelson 1/1 13YDS.
Receiving: Exner: 2/21; Lopez: 1/15; Smith: 1/8.
Defense: Mickelson: 10 Tackles 6 Assists 1 Sack; Lozada: 9 Tackles 1 Assist; Tierney: 5 Tackles 4 Assists.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Between The Lines
Burke Clinches Division Title With Win Over Gritty Tri-Valley; Bears’ Heroic Defensive Effort Cannot Overcome Offensive Miscues And Missed Opportunities
John S. Burke Catholic 21, Tri-Valley 7
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
There's more here than meets the eye: Scenes from the gritty division showdown between Burke and host Tri-Valley (clockwise) Burke's Tom Sullivan catches a 46-yard pass on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage from quarterback Robert Pezzullo as T-V junior Shatik Smith does his best to break it up. Smith slipped, Sullivan raced on and the Eagles led 7-0. In the fourth quarter Smith scores on a halfback option pass tossed by Conor Walsh. Smith is pursued by Burke's Mat Cino. Burke Coach Ed Van Curen Jr. tries to fire up his team's lackluster first half effort during a time out. Mat Cino heads up field as he is pursued by T-V's Jesus Lozada. T-V cheerleaders add spirit, allure and vibrancy to the overcast day as they cheer on their beloved Bears. T-V players raise their helmets in anticipation of the coming fray. Burke's Steve Tomaszewski scores on a 12-yard run. The scoring came as Burke capitalized on an interception by Tom Sullivan. Patrick Joyner returns the second half opening kickoff 85 yards for a score to give Burke a 14-0 lead.
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Face it. We live in a fast-paced world where events are often reported to us in sound bites, ten-second highlight reels, headlines and briefs. Rarely do we get the complete story, nor does it seem that most people want to take the time to uncover it.
But in racing to just grab the skinny on what takes place, whether it’s about a complex news issue or a game that contains much more than can be gleaned from a final score, we lose far more than we gain.
A fine run by Tri-Valley's Greg Swarthout comes to an airborne conclusion as he is upended by Burke defenders in the early going.
I suppose that’s why when I was contemplating a name for my nascent photojournalistic enterprise three years ago, I decided to call it Sports Insights. From my perspective, the larger meaning of high school sports requires a thoughtful, in-depth analysis, not just a laundry list of game details, but more importantly , an assessment of the lingering lessons such engagements impart to its participants.
As the saying goes, “The devil is in the details.” To that end, it is my hope that in the reading of this piece about the Burke-Tri-Valley football game readers will come away with a distinct picture of the day’s proceedings and the possible ramifications thereof.
Burke’s 21-7 Class C Division II win over Tri-Valley gave the 5-0 (3-0 Class C) Eagles the Division II title and punched their ticket back to the playoffs. The Eagles’ persistence, particularly in the second half was emblematic of a fine and battle- tested football team, a squad ably coached by Ed Van Curen Jr.
Tri-Valley, a team hampered by injuries, beset by inexperience and a lack of size, was nonetheless about to unveil what amounted to a herculean defensive effort that would slow the mighty Burke machine down to a crawl in the first half limiting them to a sole score, a 46-yard TD catch by senior Tom Sullivan, abetted in part by the slippage on the wet turf from T-V safety Shatik Smith. For the rest of the half, Burke moved the ball a mere 26 yards against the undaunted Bears.
Truth to be told, when Burke junior quarterback Robert Pezzullo tossed that initial strike to Sullivan on the Eagles’ first play, that quick score raised the specter of a potential rout. To their credit, neither team perceived things as such and took things in stride.
After blockers dispelled the last of T-V's would-be tacklers, Patrick Joyner continues his run to the end zone behind his 85-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Gone he is, along with the Bears' amped up spirit to start the half down only 7-0.
For the Eagles whose roster contains an uncanny 20 seniors in the fold, experience has been a dear teacher. Losing last year’s championship game 20-19 to Millbrook stung favored Burke and led to an off-season avowal to make amends in 2011.
Burke is the odds-on favorite to do just that, but winning a Section Nine title means overcoming adversity, evincing incredible persistence and will and fighting with all you’ve got on every down and in every game.
Having played Tri-Valley twice a year ago, Burke knew it was up against a gritty adversary; a team that would carry a strong belief in itself despite its disadvantages in a relentless search for an upset victory.
Tri-Valley Coach John Rusin is an impassioned leader who inspires his players to summon every fiber of their reserves to battle opponents, no matter what that team’s assets, reputation or record.
On this cloudy October 1, that gritty relentlessness was best personified in the play of junior safety/wide receiver Shatik Smith. Were Smith to step on the scale with rocks in his pockets, he might get the needle to tip at 125 pounds. “That’s generous,” quipped injured T-V quarterback Joe Mickelson.
What Smith lacks in height and weight, he more than makes up for in heart and in that sense, he embodies what Tri-Valley football is all about. It wouldn’t be long before Burke would glean the fact that on this overcast day on a sodden field, they were about to be engaged in a fight far more daunting than they probably anticipated. More than once they’d look up and see that little guy in the number 2 jersey making a big play on both sides of the ball.
The Bears won the toss and elected to receive. With Mickelson still sidelined with a hairline fracture to his tibia, Greg Swarthout would be calling signals again. The snap on the first play sailed over Swarthout’s head. He recovered it but that doomed the first series and the Bears punted. As it would turn out, that initial miscue would prove to be a harbinger of struggles for the Bears on the offensive side of the ball.
Pezzullo uncorked the aforementioned strike to Sullivan as Smith played him perfectly but slipped. Smith was giving up about ten inches in height to Sullivan who then raced for the score at 10:23 Andrew Nutt kicked the PAT and Burke led 7-0.
Swarthout had a nice run on a keeper but an ensuing fumble by Brendan Tierney was recovered by Burke. Turnovers have plaqued the Bears this season and this one would not be the last in this fray.
Tri-Valley junior Aric Boyes makes great headway as he bursts through the first tier of Burke's defense before being impeded in the secondary. The problem was T-V could not sustain any offensive momentum.
Burke set up at the T-V 42 but the Bears were about to make the first of many stands on the day as they forced the Eagles into a three and out. The Eagles faked a punt on fourth down but Pezzullo’s pass to Patrick Joyner was incomplete .
Offensively the Bears continued to sputter with a big loss on first down that would soon lead to a futile series and another punt. Burke was getting good field position but not making much use of it as Jake Morganstein returned Conor Walsh’s punt to the Bears’ 39-yard line. Troy Rossi hit Mat Cino for a loss after the Bears yielded five yards on an encroachment penalty. Good defense by Tierney and Fred Dumond forced another Burke punt.
Nutt’s punt pinned the Bears at the 12. Not only were the Bears unable to move the pigskin, Walsh couldn’t get the punt off and was tackled by Trevor Reynolds at the one-yard line. Another Burke score seemed inevitable.
Raffy Ramirez sacked Pezzullo for a loss and Christian Ward was brought down by Jesus Lozada as the Bears refused to accede any ground. A tackle by Tierney made it fourth and goal at the six as the quarter ended.
“You’re doing an outstanding job,” Coach John Rusin barked to his troops. Nutt’s field goal went wide and the Bears took over on the five after a momentous stand.
Burke’s interior defense was tough to penetrate but Cody Exner found room to turn the corner for a first down and a personal foul by Burke moved it ahead to the Bears’ 44. The Bears failed to convert on a third and five as Burke got the ball back on an interception by Steve Tomaszewski. Pezzullo threw a fourth down pass to Sullivan for a first down to the 30 with 6:05.
Another first down, this one a pass to Cino at the 16 had the Eagles threatening again but the Bears held fast again as they stopped a run for a loss and withstood a trio of incomplete passes for another big defensive stand.
The Bears had the ball at their own 22 but their offense was just not firing. A complete pass to John Monforte gave the Bears the ball at their own 44 but the half ended with nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. Burke led 7-0 at the break.
Joyner received Anthony Beale’s kickoff at the 15 and raced 85 yards behind a wall of blockers for the score at 11:45. Nutt’s PAT made it 14-zip.
Shatik Smith is wide open on this halfback option catch as Burke bit on the pitch to Conor Walsh who then threw the strike to Smith for the Bears' lone score of the game.
Aric Boyes had an electrifying run on the second play of the Bears’ first series. A holding call on a Burke defensive back gave the Bears a first down. The ball was first spotted at the three but then was moved back as officials placed it at the 25 as they marked off yardage from the line of scrimmage. But Burke would take over on downs as Swarthout’s fourth down pass to Exner was incomplete.
Burke continued to accrue penalties. A big run by Cino ended as the ball sailed out of his arms only to be recovered by Smith at the Tri-Valley 35. Once again, the Bears failed to capitalize on a Burke miscue and had to punt.
The Eagles offense wasn’t doing much better but a booming punt by Nutt pinned the Bears inside the ten yard line. Then Sullivan picked off an errant Swarthout pass on the Bears’ first play of the series. After a few losses on run attempts, Steve Tomaszewski carried it in from the 12 to make it 20-0 with 1:03 to go. Nutt’s PAT made it 21-0.
The score would remain as such until late in the fourth quarter when the Bears got on the board as Walsh took a pitch from Swarthout and heaved it to a racing Smith for a 42-yard TD. Smith, who earlier in the second half had leaped skyward to knock a ball away from Sullivan, would prove himself to be the hero in the Bears’ losing cause. Beale’s PAT made it 21-7, which would prove to be the final score.
Rusin would extol Smith in his post game comments. “His whole body must be heart. He has incredible legs and toughness on every single play offensively and defensively. I’d be comfortable putting him any place on the field. Even on that TD catch he was in outstanding coverage. He’s an excellent football players, the kind of kid you love to have on your team.”
Rusin had begun his postgame reflection by talking about his team as a whole. “I was pleased with the defense. They kept us in the game,” noting that the offensive guys were essentially the same players. “Offensively we have to do a better job. We keep shooting ourselves in the foot, especially on early downs and we are not the kind of team that overcome that,” he averred.
I commend my team’s efforts and I know they left it all out there on the field today but we have to be a more crisp team if we’re going to have any chance at the playoffs. We cannot turn the ball over , especially against a quality team like Burke.
Eyes on the prize. Burke senior Captain Spiro Nanakos waits to shake hands with the Bears. Now it's on to bigger things for the Eagles who lost last year's title game to Millbrook by one point. For the senior-laden squad there is no such thing as next year's quest.
We have to do a better job of protecting the football and answering scores. Over the years we’ve proven ourselves to be a pretty formidable team offensively. We’ve got to work together-linemen, receivers and backs to get on the same page to put together some drives. Defense will keep us in games but we need our offense to win.
I love this team with all of my heart,” said Rusin.
Burke Coach Ed Van Curen Jr knew his team had been up against a tough opponent. “They played very well today,” he began.
“This was a tale of two halves. We’ve been coming out and playing effective offense this year. Tri-Valley is a great team and they’re well-coached. They now us well. We saw them twice last year and we may well see them twice again. Class C is turning into really fine football.
In the first half we kind of sleep-walked so in the second half we knew we had to come out and get our offense working. They played great defense against us. They were forcing us into three and outs . Our special teams did a great job though of pinning them deep.”
Asked about the sodden field and its impact on his team’s effectiveness, Van Curen noted, “We’re two running tams. We throw the ball out of necessity but this field certainly slowed us down. As for Tri-Valley, they’re a Wing-T team which relies on its ability to make cuts to get upfield.”
Runners like T-V’s Cody Exner were certainly hampered by the field as well as Burke’s excellent lateral pursuit.
Burke plays Fallsburg for its last league game of the season, while Tri-Valley (1-4, 1-1 Class C) must defeat Fallsburg and Millbrook in order to make it to the postseason.
Tri-Valley Statistics.
Rushing: Cody Exner 10/29; Greg Swarthout 11/37; Brendan Tierney 7/21; Aric Boyes 9/49; John Monforte 2/-1. Total 39/133
Passing: Swarthout 1/14/36 with two interceptions; Conor Walsh 1/36 TD. Total passing 4/15/72
For an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Pitched Battle
Eldred Prevails Against Feisty Tri-Valley In A Riveting Division V See-Sawing Encounter; Yellow Jackets Sweep Bears In Season Series
Eldred 2, Tri-Valley 1
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Riveting to say the least! Eldred and Tri-Valley go at it in their rematch. Eldred handily won the first game but this one was a down-to-the-wire thriller. (Clockwise) Eldred's Brian Hazen had four goals and an assist in the first clash with T-V. This time out he scored the game's first goal about four minutes into the second half. Tri-Valley's Tyler Greffrath goes airborne to head this shot. T-V tied the game up on a misplay by Eldred and an alert play by Anthony Beale to save a ball Eldred's Matt Watts watched rolling towards the sideline. Eldred's senior keeper Travis Steimle extends himself airborne and sideways to deflect a potential T-V goal. Steimle had 11 saves including a game-ending leap that sent a Beale shot into and over the crossbar.
ELDRED, NY—Getting better from one game to the next is the agenda in all sports, but in a game like soccer, predicated on split second decision making and refined skills, a team must marshal the will and the stamina to build on what it has done to date.
In the rigorously competitive world of Division V boys soccer inhabited by daunting teams like S.S. Seward, Fallsburg, Tuxedo, now back down in Class C, Chester and Tri-Valley, each league game is critical as teams vie for the chance to play in sectionals down the road.
Tri-Valley keeper Mike Devault leaps and saves as Eldred swarms for the attack.
The refinement of skills was clearly manifested as Eldred and Tri-Valley hooked up for a rematch of their September 9 game played in Grahamsville. In that set-to, Eldred, a team loaded with nine seniors and blessed with one of the region’s finest keeper in senior Travis Steimle, stampeded the Bears 6-2 as senior Brian Hazen scored four goals and had one assist.
This time out, the now visiting Bears were determined to show their improving weaponry, staunch defense and resolve to work for a season split with the Yellow Jackets. All of this without their most explosive player Josue Ramos who picked up a red card at the end of the Bears’ last game.
Being competitive is about closing ranks and stepping up and the Bears were about to do just that.
Hazen arrived just before kickoff. Needless to say the absence of the West Point hopeful was a major concern to Eldred Coach J.J. Gass. T-V Coach Jason Closs hoped nothing had gone awry for the feisty Hazen but knew his team might have a better chance in his absence.
The point was moot. Hazen arrived and with every touch and shot, he represented a lethal threat.
Eldred held sway in the first half as they outshot Tri-Valley 15-7 but the teams neutralized each other until 36:30 of the second half when Hazen picked up a ball from teammate Matt Watts and drove it by T-V keeper Mike Devault.
Eldred’s defenders had done a fine job of repulsing Tri-Valley’s attack which centered around the talented Anthony Beale whose speed often resulted in valiant runs deep into Eldred’s half of the filed.
After missing on some great attempts during the game, Eldred's Peter Vorstadt screams with joy after giving his team the go-ahead goal that he played off a T-V miss-kick,
By contrast, Eldred’s onslaught featured a bevy of players pushing up and making things happen. As Gass would later note, “Our defense pushed up very well. When the ball got to the halfline they were pushing it right back in. I didn’t care if it was a pass or a one-timer. If you keep the pressure on them eventually something is going to happen and things can break your way,” he noted.
Things haven’t exactly gone Eldred’s way thus far. After losing to dominant Seward, the Yellow Jackets had to play a back-to-back game with Chester, a match they lost due to diminished stamina and play far below their capabilities.
Again…part of the learning curve. Watching Eldred play following an emotional pre-game encouraging diatribe by Steimle to his team, it was clear that the “Jackets came to play. “Being an emotional leader is a big part of my game. I love getting people fired up. That’s my biggest thing because if they’re not fired up, I’m not fired up,” said the dynamic keeper.
Tri-Valley which to date had only one win, a victory over Chapel Field under its belt, fought like demons.
Keeping Eldred scoreless for the first 40 minutes was impressive and while they didn’t have that many shots on goal, they most certainly had their chances.
After Hazen’s goal had given Eldred the 1-0 lead, the hungry Yellow Jackets looked to get another one in. Credit Tri-Valley’s defense though which stiffened . Ever-vigilant for the opportunity to tie the game, the Bears got their chance on a momentary mental lapse by Eldred’s Matt Watts who watched a ball roll slowly towards the sideline waiting for it to go out instead of turning it back up the field. An alert Beale beat him to it and crossed it beautifully to Tyler Greffrath for the game-tying goal.
Eldred was momentarily stung, but you could sense the fury and fervor in the hive. Back on the attack they went, bringing the ball into T-V’s heartland time and time again. As had happened all day, rocketing shots by Craig Burns, Peter Vorstadt, Hazen and others pelted Devault but to no avail.
Until……..
With 6:25 remaining, Vorstadt picked up a miss-kick by a T-V defender and scored from the left wing. He turned ,raised his arms in jubilation and was met by Adrian Krzystofowicz for a midair chest bump. The 2-1 lead was a product of resiliency and perseverance; two qualities that will be needed in the battles to come.
“It’s a big testament to our team,” Steimle would note after the win. “We haven’t had a lot of aggression in games. Today we definitely proved ourselves and Friday against Fallsburg, we have a lot more to prove.
Evining the kind of speed he is known for in track, Eldred senior soccer veteran Craig Burns motors up the field. Defending with no fear is T-V's Hunter Kennedy who come this winter will be tossing people around in wrestling.
But Steimle had to answer the bell in the final seconds as he leaped to get a finger on a Beale laser that hit he feisty goalkeeper knocked into the crossbar to save the day. Eldred celebrated but Tri-Valley had nothing to hang their heads about.
Closs noted, “We were definitely in a defensive pressure the first half. We had a number of opportunities with shots on goal, good quality opportunities. In the second half we got a little more of a push with guys coming in like Hunter Kennedy. We tied it up and then we had one mis-kick on defense. I’m hope that we’re very close to being competitive in every game we play. I think we’re on the right track.
Eldred improved to 2-3 (2-2 OCIAA) while Tri-Valley fell to 1-3 (0-2 OCIAA). Steimle recorded 11 saves while Devault had 16. Eldred out-shot T-V 27-15.
Gass was pleased with the result, but looks for his team to continue to improve. For one thing he asserted that his team didn’t pursue the attack deep enough by kicking it from too far out. “When there’s ten yards of green in front of you I don’t know why we’re shooting from so far out,” he observed.
Asked about his team’s response to the game-tying goal he noted, “That’s the benefit of having seven senior starters because when something like that happens they have no problem coming right back and keeping their cool. Mistakes will happen. Not every one will result in a goal, though that one did. Their defense was playing pretty solid and I didn’t know if we’d get another one in.
But the guys responded. Having that senior leadership helps out and keeps the younger guys a lot more calm.”
Visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com for the complete album of photos.
