Home Field Swan Song
Liberty Defeats Fallsburg In Last Home Game Of The Season; Comets Still In Search Of First-Ever Win Will Now Travel To Eldred Looking For It There; Liberty’s Senior-Laden Squad Relishes The Game and Win Despite Disappointment Of No Postseason Bid
Liberty 33, Fallsburg 7
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Scenes from the last Liberty home football game of the season (Clockwise): Fallsburg's Josh Carter calls the signals as the Comets get set to take on Liberty. Fallsburg's Sabastian Sanchez carries the ball. Liberty's Kenny Jaycox nearly scored on this carry but did so on the very next on the next carry. Liberty and Fallsburg cheerleaders perform for each other prior to the game. Liberty's Atwoun Ackerley dives across the goal plane following a 24-yard TD run.
LIBERTY, NY—The sky was steely gray and a chill was in the air as the Indians got set to play their final home game of the season, a non-league tilt against neighboring Fallsburg, a team still in search of its first-ever win as it draws near the end of its second season.
Compared to football games with playoff berths on the line where avid fans filled the stands and great drama was being played out with eyes riveted on every play, this game had a more relaxed feel to it. Fans were on hand, but there were fewer of them than were present when the Indians were still in the hunt.
The 2011 Liberty Indians
By now, two week after their one-point overtime loss to Sullivan Wes t in a league game that sealed their fate, Liberty players seemed to have accepted their lot.
That said, this was the last home game for a senior-laden Indian squad, a team coaches hoped would not just make it to the playoffs, but one which had a chance to win it all but alas that was not to be.
Fallsburg's Thomas Zuewesky scores the Comets' only TD on a 13-yard pass from Josh Carter.
This year’s seniors include Joe Franke, Javier Baez, Marshon Williams, Jesse Hufnagel, Efrain Baez, Dejon Williams, Anthony Covington, Kenneth Padilla, Tino Casiano, Ryan Zayas, Jon Santiago, Daniel Ramirez, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tiago Mastrogiovanni, Cosmos Fitzpatrick, Victor Agunbiade, Michael Herbert, Danny Hopkins and Taylor VanKeuren.
Fallsburg seniors were reckoning with their waning high school football careers in their next to last game Comet elderstatesmen include Alexandre Mathieu, Douglas Carter, Russell Corley, Benjamin Davis, Kyle Dillon, Kai Jackson and Corey McKeon.
Prior to the game the Fallsburg and Liberty cheerleaders took turns entertaining each other with their spirited displays.
Liberty Coach John Wilhelm and his staff looked to this game as an opportunity to play all of the young warriors who have worked so hard all year long. Fallsburg’s diminished numbers, now hovering around 16 would prove to be no match for powerful Liberty and it didn’t take long for that fact to manifest itself.
Liberty's Kenny Jaycox.
Liberty won the toss and elected to receive. Fallsburg’s Sabastian Sanchez kicked it off and Victor Agunbiade returned it to the 28 where he was met by Sanchez and Jackson. On the first play from scrimmage Anthony Covington rumbled to the Fallsburg 41. Kenny Jaycox and Marshon Williams took the ball in turn before Jaycox scored on a one-yard TD run to make it 6-0. Ryan Henry kicked the PAT and the Indians took a 7-0 lead in a game they would never trail in.
Fallsburg returned it to the 37 and soon had to reckon with a fierce run defense as tackles by Padilla and Covington led to a fourth and three at the 44. Sanchez marshaled a first down but on the next play Fallsburg QB Josh Carter’s pass was intercepted by Joe Franke at the Fallsburg 41.
Liberty moved the ball with efficiency as Franke, Hufnagel and Jaycox advanced it to the 19. Williams threw a 19-yard TD pass to Henry at 3:37 and Libety led 13-0 as Henry’s PAT failed.
Arron Hornbeck received the ball on the Comets’ 42 and Fallsburg went back to work but it was a short shift as they soon went three and out. Liberty took over on downs at the Comets’ 46. Williams completed a 15-yard pass to Efrain Baez and Ehat Shehi got a carry much to the delight of his teammates before junior Atwoun Ackerley took off and wove through traffic for a 24-yard TD run at 11:07 of the second quarter for the 19-0 lead. Henry’s PAT sailed through the uprights for the 20-0 lead.
Fallsburg's Shakree Gibson
Fallsburg was pinned back on its own 11 from the Henry kickoff and again it was three and out followed by a short punt that gave the Indians a short field at the Comets’ 20. Fallsburg’s defense stiffened forcing and 15 from the 26. Henry then missed on a 42-yard field goal attempt as he looked to break a school record.
Fallsburg got it back and moved it with Shakree Gibson’s running and a completed pass to Thomas Zuewsky but time ran out on the half and the teams went to their respective locker rooms with the Indians leading 20-0.
Liberty began the second half by recovering its own onsides kick at midfield. Just a few plays later Jaycox bolted 27 yards for a TD at 8:09 of the third quarter to make it 26-0. Once again the PAT failed.
Gibson was the recipient of a resounding hit on the ensuing kickoff. Fallsburg went three and out again and Covington took the ball on the first play of Liberty’s next series on a 23-yard run into the endzone to make it 32-0 with 3:30 left to play in the third quarter. Henry’s PAT went through the uprights and Liberty now led 33-0.
Subs galore were now shuffling in and out for Liberty. Fallsburg had none to send in. The few people on its sideline were mostly nursing injuries.
The third quarter ended with Fallsburg in possession of the ball at their own 27. From there they mounted an impressive drive which was extended by a fourth and seven completed pass to Zuewesky. At 3:39 Carter hit Zuewesky with a 13-yard pass and several of his teammates ran over to him and celebrated like they’d just won the Super Bowl.
That would be it for scoring as Liberty improved to 5-3, while Fallsburg fell to 0-8.
“This was our best game yet,” affirmed Fallsburg Coach Adam Ramirez. We’re down to 16 kids. Academics hurt us to as we lost four. We practiced hard all week and we just came out to have fun and play good, consistent , solid football. Liberty is a great team. They’re coached well. John gets his kids ready for every game,”
“This was good for our seniors and we got a lot of kids in the game,” observed Coach Wilhelm. It’s a great bunch of kids. We’re very proud of them. It’s unfortunate that we’re not in the playoffs. That was a goal of ours. It’s a part of life. We knew the system and we knew what we had to do but we didn’t get it done. It is what it is,” said Wilhelm. “Right now our senior class has the most numbers with numbers going down each grade. We won’t have as many kids coming back but we will have kids who were major contributors this year. They include Ryan Henry, Tony Saravia, Andy Martinez, Ryan Boxberger, Kenny Jaycox and others.
Liberty's Ryan Henry
Some kids from the junior varsity will come out and help out too. Our modified numbers are good but it will take a couple of years to get them ready,” he concluded.
Stat Line:
Liberty:
Passing : Marshon Williams 3/4/54 with one TD
Rushing: Marshon Wiliams 2/49; Anthony Covington 10/90 with a TD; Kenny Jaycox 7/69 with two TD’s.
Efrain Baez 3/10. Ehad Shehi 1/9 and Atwoun Ackerley 1/24 and a TD.
Receiving: Ryan Henry 2/27 with a TD; Joe Franke 1/18
Defense: Joe Franke an interception; Javier Baez seven tackles; Damien Fitzpatrick had a sack; Tyrell Ivory had seven tackles.
Fallsburg
Passing: Josh Carter 5/8/2 1 TD;
Receiving Tom Zuewesky 3/23 one TD
Rushing: Sabastian Sanchez 13/33; Shakree Gibson 8/33.
Sabastian Sanchez had the PAT.
Defense:Sabastian Sanchez led with six tackles.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
The Breaking Point
Sullivan West Earns Playoff Berth As Liberty Fails On Potential Game-Winning OT Conversion Pass; Two Teams Play Toe-To-Toe For 48 Minutes And Each Scores In Overtime As Fate Of A Season Is Defined In One Cathartic Moment
Sullivan West 21, Liberty 20 OT
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Compelling drama from Sullivan West vs. Liberty (Clockwise) Tom Mootz scores the second of his three TD's on the night. His final one came in OT and coupled with Kitt Borowski's PAT gave the Bulldogs the momentous win. Kenny Jaycox goes aloft to elude one tackler before cutting it back for a huge kickoff return that set Liberty up for a TD pass to Ryan Henry to tie it up at 14-all before the first half ended. The score remained deadlocked for the entire second half and on into OT.E.J. Franskevicz barrels ahead on a keeper that sets up Mootz's first quarter TD that evened the score at seven-up. Ryan Henry booms a kickoff that nails the Westies back on their own four to start the second half. Tom Mootz goes upside down on a TD run after toppling into the endzone. Marshon Williams bends over in disappointment after missing what would have been the game-winning conversion pass in OT. Tom Mootz and E.J. Franskevicz share a moment of joy and incredulous relief following the win. Marshon Williams gallops 37 yards for the game's first score. Tom Mootz after bursting through the line as he scores TD number two. Sullivan West players erupt in a jubilant celebration.
LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY—Had Irving Stone not entitled his epic novel “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” perhaps this writer would have seen fit to use those exact words to describe the final moment of one of the best high school football games he’s been privileged to bear witness to.
For in the final moment of a deadlocked battle between two teams who in all earnestness had earned every right to be playoff contenders, Liberty’s agonizing disappointment stood in stark contrast to Sullivan West’s ecstatic celebration.
Tom Mootz dives for an extra yard as he advances the ball. Mootz had 20 carries for 110 yards and three TD's.
In that cathartic moment a resonant life lesson was imparted to the players and onlookers alike that reminds us about the paper thin margin between unbridled joy and disconsolate sorrow and between gratifying success and the stultifying lack thereof.
Life is indeed a razor’s edge.
And so it was on this crisp and clear early October night that a season hung in the balance of a final play and that one harrowing moment would constitute a world of difference between the victorious Bulldogs and despondent Indians, not just in a game, but in their quest to reach the afterlife of postseason play.
Standing in the endzone after Liberty’s Kenny Jaycox had just answered Sullivan West’s Tom Mootz with an Indian touchdown in overtime, I had my camera trained on the Liberty players lined up ostensibly for the PAT which would have tied the game yet again and sent it on into yet another dramatic sequence to follow all those that had preceded it to that point.
In the interstice between Liberty’s final score and the play that would come to define the season for both of these fine teams, I pondered whether the Indians would gamble for the win by going for the two-point conversion.
Coaches have the weight of the world on their shoulders in spots like this and must take stock of their team’s assets and liabilities to come up with the play that will put their team in the best position to win.
To that end, Liberty Coach John Wilhelm decided to take the gamble, a decision Sullivan West coaches later agreed they would have made themselves in the same situation.
In lieu of having Ryan Henry kick the PAT as the formation would suggest, Wilhelm had directed holder Quinn Jackson to throw a pass to Marshon Williams who had now raced uncovered into the endzone not five feet away from my telephoto lens.
Liberty's Kenny Jaycox proved hard to bring down but by night's end the Bulldogs had done a good job of limiting the explosive back to one TD, the one that came in OT.
As the blurry picture depicts, the pass sailed over Williams’ shoulder and with it went Liberty’s hopes of sending its archrival down to defeat for the third straight year. While Williams stood bent over, his body language saying more than words could ever hope to convey, Sullivan West players erupted in a display of joyful release. Amidst hugs, smiles, tears of joy and high fives, they rushed to each other in what amounted to an endless group hug.
Wilhelm’s choice hadn’t worked out but one would have to stand in awe of his confidence in his players and his assessment of what would have given them the best chance under the circumstances.
“We hadn’t had much overall success running the ball. They were plugging it up all night so we took a chance. I made the call and it didn’t work out. It’s on me but I’m proud of my kids. They played a great game,” he averred.
“They had run the ball well at times tonight and we didn’t. We felt our chances here were better to go for the win than in going score-for-score with them because we just weren’t moving the ball,” he added.
While Wilhelm, Williams and the rest of the Indians were now experiencing what Sullivan West had undergone the past two seasons at their expense, the Bulldogs were busy drinking in the elixir of victory and the promise of great things that could still lie ahead.
For Sullivan West senior Tom Mootz who had scored all three Bulldog touchdowns on the night, trying to take it all in was clearly going to take some time. “This is the best feeling in the world right now. Everybody came out pumped up and ready to go with the desire to win. Especially after what they did to us the past two years,” he noted
Officials ruled Ben Kline's fourth down catch incomplete claiming he trapped it. But Kline's hand appears to be under the ball which would have given the Dogs a first down in the red zone in the second quarter. As it turned out the point was moot as the Bulldogs won the game.
Asked about what was going through his mind as he took the ball for the 20-yard overtime TD run, Mootz quickly replied, “I don’t even know what I was thinking. Everything left my mind. But I do know that if it wasn’t for the offensive blocking I wouldn’t have gotten in there.”
Senior quarterback E.J. Franskevicz tried to put the outcome into words. “It’s unbelievable. We worked so hard to get back to the playoffs. This was our biggest win of the year and it’s just a wonderful thing to see all the seniors getting back to the playoffs,” he said thoughtfully.
Looking back over the events of the game, this writer knew full well that it might have as easily been victorious Liberty players he could have been interviewing.
It was just that close.
Liberty won the opening toss and elected to receive. Kitt Borowski kicked it off and Kenny Jaycox returned it to the 34. Anthony Covington proceeded to break tackle after tackle as he ferreted the ball to the SW 36. Two snuffed running plays led to a third and 11 at the 37. Then Liberty spread Sullivan West out and Williams took off on a delay for the 37-yard TD at 9:56. Ryan Henry kicked the PAT and Liberty led 7-0.
Sullivan West began its first series at the 37, soon abetted by a Liberty encroachment. Sawyer Erlwein got a first down at the Liberty 46. Sullivan West went three and out as runs by Jared Meola and Franskevicz failed to move the chains. Franskevicz punted but Jaycox fumbled the ball which was recovered by Erlwein at the Liberty 19.
Franskevicz took the ball twice to avail his team of a first and goal at the four. Mootz carried it in from there at 5:20 to make it 7-6. Borowski split the uprights and the game was knotted at seven apiece.
Liberty cheerleaders brave the chill and heat up the crowd with their incredible spirit.
Liberty cheerleaders were braving the chill as they extolled the Indian fans to vocalize their support.
After the kickoff Liberty went on the march with its best sequence of running plays as Covington and Jaycox ran ten yards on successive carries to the Bulldogs’ 47. Todd Roeder’s tackle of Efrain Baez made for a third and 12. Liberty went back to the spread but Williams overthrew Efrain Baez leading to a punt.
Franksevicz returned the ball to the Bulldog 41. On a third and eight, Sullivan West pulled what they hoped was a special play out of the hat with a pass intended for Borowski. Reading the play perfectly, Javier Baez leaped skyward and intercepted the ball. Baez gave Liberty a first down at the Sullivan West 27 with 3:10 to go in the quarter.
Sulllvan West stuffed Covington for a two-yard loss and the quarter ended in a 7-7 tie.
The Dawgs’ run defense continued to stymie Liberty which found itself again facing a fourth and 11 at the 29. Liberty went back to the wide spread but Williams couldn’t get the needed yardage on a keeper so the Dawgs took over on downs at their own 25.
Mootz ran it out to the 44. Mootz got carry after carry as the Bulldogs moved the chains to the Liberty 29 with 7:07. Erlwein picked up another eight. Mootz got a first down to the 17. “This is nothing we haven’t seen,” barked Liberty coaches on the sideline as they implored their defense to make a stop.
Franskevicz took it around the right to the eight. Then Mootz burst up the middle for the eight-yard TD at 4:30. Borowski’s PAT made it 14-7.
What a difference a year makes. Look back at the game photos from last year's clash with Liberty as a despondent Brandon Wagner walks off the field symbolizing the Bulldog downfall.
On the ensuing kickoff Jaycox fumbled the ball but quickly picked it up. He leaped over the first would-be tackler on the right sideline and cut it back over the middle bouncing off at least two more failed wrap-ups and turning on the jets. Andrew Parsons finally brought him down but not before he had reached the Sullivan West 35.
Scott Erdman and Mootz upended Covington on a gain of five, but Wiliams proceeded to uncork a 31-yard TD pass to Ryan Henry who beat Jared Meola in single coverage. Henry then kicked the PAT to tie it up at 3:25.
Henry’s short kickoff gave the Bulldogs the ball back on their 44. SW advanced the ball on three plays to the 20 but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved it back to the 36 with 2:15. Danny Hopkins stopped Mootz at the line of scrimmage. Facing a fourth and 14 at the 33 with 31 seconds remaining, Franskevicz ran it to the 25 and the Indians got it back on downs.
Williams found Efrain Baez who ran out of bounds following a nice gain after the catch to the Bulldogs; 49. His next pass was intercepted by Meola and Sullivan West took a knee to end the half at 14-all.
Sullivan West received to start the second half asHenry’s booming kickoff pinned the Westies at their own four. Poor field position hampered the Bulldogs as Liberty ‘s defense stepped it up. Liberty soon advanced the ball to the Sullivan West 34. Facing a third and six, the snap sailed over Williams’ head for a big loss and the Indians were forced to punt.
This year's seniors will be gone but the rivalry between these division contenders will go on. For football players the preparation for a year ahead is always in the here and now.
Erlwein’s return was hindered by a block-in-the-back penalty giving the Dawgs a long field again, this time at their own seven with 8:08 to go in the third quarter. Franskevicz brought it out to the 23 on a keeper. A pass to Borowski advanced it to the 37. Running effectively the Bulldogs kept it moving to the Liberty 49 where it was third and inches. Mootz was stuffed as Liberty held fast and the Bulldogs punted.
Defense continued to hold sway as each team forced punts by the other. Sullivan West had a first and ten at the Liberty 30 as the third quarter wound down. The third quarter ended with Sullivan West facing a second and one on the Liberty 21.
In lieu of taking it up the middle for the first down, the Westies went with Borowski to the edge who was thrown for a four-yard loss. Franskevicz was snowed under for another loss as Liberty was making a big stand. The fourth and eight pass to Ben Kline was ruled incomplete as the official ruled he had trapped the ball. The photo clearly proves otherwise as one can readily see his hand under the ball.
Clearly the camera was in a better position to view the play but despite protests from the sideline the call stood and instead of a first down in the red zone, the Bulldogs now found themselves on defense.
Liberty set up at their own 28. Erlwein threw Jaycox for a loss and Williams’ pass in the flat for Henry was overthrown. An incomplete pass to Covington gave the Bulldogs the ball back after the punt.
Mootz soon made it a first at the 50. Liberty forced a three and out and punted it back again. Still no second half scoring had been tallied. Jaycox picked up a first down to the Liberty 33. Liberty got a first down but a pass to Efrain Baez was overthrown. Facing a third and seven at the 47, Liberty failed to convert on a pass to Henry and had to punt it back.
With 3:26 to go the Westies had the ball once again at their own 16. Mootz slipped and lost five. On a third and 11 the Bulldogs once again found themselves on the wrong side of an official’s view of a pass. This one was to Erlwein that would have kept the drive alive. No photo of this one could confirm Erlwein’s assertion that he had caught the ball.
One began to wonder whether these judgments would impact the outcome of the game.
Sullivan West punted it to the Liberty 45 with 1:42 to go. Erlwein and Erdman brought down Jaycox for a big loss as overtime seemed to loom as a distinct possibility. Sullivan West used its time outs after Liberty plays and got the ball back with 21.4 seconds to go at the 18. Mootz ran it up the middle and the Westies used their last time out at the 28.
Borowski was knocked out of bounds with seven seconds to go at the SW 35 but regulation ended in the 14-all deadlock.
The Westies won the toss and chose to take the first shot from the 20. Mootz burst threw for the 20-yard run and was mobbed by teammates. Borowski’s PAT made it 21-14.
Now it was Liberty’s turn from the 20. “This is our season. This is our house. This is our season!” Sullivan West players shouted at each other. Having been burned on a pass over the top against O’Neill, it was clear the Westies were looking for the ball to go airborne.
The first pass bounced off Henry with four defenders on him. But a pass to Efrain Baez gave Liberty a first and goal and Jaycox soon ran it in to make it 21-20. Quinn Jackson’s pass sailed over Williams’ shoulder on the conversion try and the rest is history.
After meeting with his disappointed squad in the end zone, Wilhelm responded to the question about whether he could get his team motivated to play the remaining games of the season knowing they wouldn’t be in the playoffs. “Yes. They’re a great group. I can’t say enough about them. It’s unbelievable because we really wanted to be in the playoffs. Imagine this: we lose two games by one point and we’re out,” he said.
His point is well-taken and summarizes the absurdity of the system wherein teams have only a few meaningful games on their schedules.
Oddly too, both Sullivan West and Liberty lost to O’Neill in games they rightfully should have won. Liberty’s failure to convert on a late O’Neill fumble with a first and goal at the Raiders’ three that ended in a missed field goal and Sullivan West’s failure to secure a first down that would have allowed them to run out the clock before surrendering a last second over-the-top TD pass .
Those misfortunes put both of these teams in a do-or-die game on October 6. Had they won they would have been playing this game for the Division title and the top seed but both of them would have been in the playoffs.
Liberty fell to 4-2 ( 1-2 Division I), while Sullivan West improved to 4-2 (2-1 Division I).
Sullivan West Coach Ron Bauer had this to say: “Overall it was a great game. Both teams played well and both had good plays at times. A whole season turned on a single play.” Asked if he thought Liberty would go for the two-point try, Bauer said, “We weren’t sure. We were going for the block to secure the win. Luckily the pass was incomplete.”
Asked about his team’s ongoing motivation now that they’ve punched their ticket to the postseason Bauer said, “We’ve got to get better for the playoffs. I thought we could have tackled a little better. Jaycox is a tough runner. I also thought we caught those two passes that were ruled incomplete,” he added. Clearly that was moot point given the win.
Sulllvan West faces Burke for the last regular season game, a team they’ll meet the following week in the first round of the playoffs. Neither team is likely to show much in that regular season encounter.
Sullivan West stat line:
Rushing: Tom Mootz 20/110 with three TD’s; E.J. Franskevicz 14/65; Kitt Borowski 6/42; Jared Meola 4/19; Sawyer Erlwein 3/15;
Passing: Franskevicz 2/4/15;
Defense: Mootz ten tackles; Erlwein ten tackles; Scotty Erdman ten tackles; Todd Roeder five tackes and a sack for a 16-yard loss. Borowski eight tackles; Andrew Parsons eight tackles.
Liberty stat line:
Rushing: Anthony Covington 10/45; Marshon Williams 8/68 with one TD; Kenny Jaycox 7/15 and a fumbled punt; Efrain Baez 1/-1;
Passing: Williams 5/13/73 with one TD and one interception.
Receiving: Ryan Henry 2/31 with one TD; Efrain Baez 2/15; Javier Baez 1/27;
Defense: Javier Baez nine tackles and an interception; Williams seven tackles; Danny Ramirez nine tackles; Anthony Saravia nine tackles and Tyrell Ivory six tackles.
Sullivan West will host Rondout Valley on October 14 for its Homecoming Game, while Liberty travels to Millbrook.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
The Razor’s Edge
O’Neill’s Defense Makes A Huge Late Stand And Liberty Misses The Game-Winning Field Goal In An Epic High School Classic; League Result Puts O’Neill One Win Away From A Playoff Berth and Liberty Having To Run The Table Vs Ellenville and Sullivan West
James I. O’Neill 14, Liberty 13
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Scenes from an epic clash as Liberty and O'Neill vie for a win in a closely-contested Division I clash (Clockwise) Liberty's Anthony Covington dives over the goal line for a 12-yard TD. O'Neill junior Jerry Nasi cruises into the end zone on a two-point conversion run. He scored both Raiders' TD's as well. Liberty's Ryan Henry hauls in a 20-yard TD catch from Marshon Willaims. Williams is brought down by a diving Nasi. Both teams played fine defense but O'Neill had the last word.
LIBERTY, NY—Sometimes it’s the narrowest margin that separates contrasting outcomes in life. In a sense we’re always walking that tightrope knowing full well that in some instances things will work in our favor, while at other times they just won’t go our way.
One right answer on a test can be the difference between passing and failing; one quick swerve on the road can avoid a catastrophic collision. Even more poignantly, as we saw on 9/11, precious life can hang in the balance in a fateful second as a burning skyscraper is about to collapse. In such critical instances a split second decision can be the difference between life and death
While sports mirrors life in its teetering outcomes and offers the compelling drama of games that literally hang in the balance, we must remember that they are after all, just games. Win or lose, the outcomes must remain in perspective.
O'Neill's Jerry Nasi racked up 140 yards on 20 carries and accounted for all 14 Raider points.
That said, in clashes such as the epic down-to-the-wire division encounter between host Liberty and visiting James I. O’Neill, won 14-13 by the latter on September 17, the captivating allure of a high school classic whose result would not be manifested until the game’s very final seconds, was indeed a reminder of how narrow the margin can be between exultation and heart-rending disappointment.
For Liberty which came into this fray having scored 94 points over its first two wins of the season and playing its first league game, this was to be an emotional first-step towards returning to the playoffs, a place they’ve been for the past two years. More so, the Indians have dedicated themselves towards winning it all and they most certainly still can do that.
But succumbing by one point after recovering an O’Neill fumble, having a first-and-goal at the Raiders’ nine –yard line and seeing things unfold the way they did with a dropped pass in the end zone, the inability to surmount O’Neill’s staunch run defense and then missing a game-winning 22-yard field goal by a kicker for whom this ordinarily represents a chip shot was a shocking result.
“That’s football,” said Liberty Coach John Wilhelm who knew that his team had squandered a win by dint of excessive penalties and missed opportunities. Ever the realist and always focused on the next step, Wilhelm will now guide his young Tribe towards keeping their focus and winning against Ellenville on what else, Pride Weekend, in order to stay in the hunt.
As for O”Neill, they showed immense character down the stretch and for that matter, most of the second half as they played what Coach Anthony Finochioy called “Raider football,” to withstand the most daunting threat. To be sure, O’Neill’s heroics which up to that point had centered on great second half blocking, relentless tackling led by Eric Wallace’s 15 takedowns, and the outstanding running of workhorse junior Jerry Nasi were capped off by a goal line stand of epic proportions.
O’Neill won the toss and elected to defer. As Libety junior Kenny Jaycox received the ball and ran it back to the Raiders’ 45, the home crowd had its first electrifying rush of excitement. Liberty offered up a mix of runs with junior Anthony Covington, senior quarterback Marshon Williams and Jaycox as they advanced the ball to the 17 before faltering on fourth down allowing O’Neill to take over on downs at their 16.
Sophomre Keegan West was calling the signals. A false start hampered O’Neill on its first play but an option pitch to Nasi proved to be profitable as did the next few plays on the ground until Covington registered a sack on fourth down of Keegan and the Indians got the ball back.
Liberty junior Kenny Jaycox electrifies the crowd on this hefty game-opening kickoff return. Jaycox was key on defense as well with nine tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles. He ran for 34 yards on eight carries.
Liberty was unable to sustain its drive on this series and Ryan Henry’s fake punt was snuffed out giving the Raiders the ball on the Liberty 40. A pass to senior tight end Matt McCarthy was key as the first quarter ended 0-0 but with O’Neill threatening at the nine-yard line.
A steady diet of carries by Nasi soon yielded a one-yard TD at 9:48 of the second quarter. The PAT failed and O’Neill led 6-0.
Liberty’s ground advance was undercut by a chop block call that set them back with a first and 25 at midfield but the Indians overcame the challenge with a great catch by Henry that brought the Tribe to the Raiders’ seven-yard line. A TD by Jaycox was called back on a holding penalty but Williams connected with Henry again, this time for a 20-yard TD with 4:15 remaining in the period to tie the game at six-all. Henry’s PAT gave Liberty a 7-6 lead.
An onside kick was recovered by O’Neill’s Bobby Jackson and once again the Raiders had a short field at their own 46. Jaycox caused a fumble which O’Neill recovered but the Raiders were forced to punt. Neither team scored and the Indians took the 7-6 lead into the half.
O’Neill recovered Liberty’s opening onsides kick but went three and out to start the third quarter. The punt was partially blocked and Liberty took over at the Raiders 45. Impressive runs by Jaycox, Williams and Covington got the ball to the 12. Covington scored from there sailing airborne over the goal line at 6:20 for the 13-6 lead. Henry’s PAT ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar. Little could anyone imagine that that would constitute the difference in the game’s final score.
Liberty now had the momentum as Henry recovered his own onsides kick but the Indians didn’t capitalize on the advantage and went three and out. Henry’s punt pinned O’Neill at its own 16 but Nasi was about to go to work taking the ball on nearly every down. The quarter ended with the Raiders on Liberty 15.
A great call on a reverse placed the ball in the hands of junior Derrike Shrieve as Liberty bit on the play and went off in search of Nasi who no longer had the ball. Now the Raider set up with a first down at the four and Nasi took it in from there to make it 13-12 still in Liberty’s favor. He then toted in the two-point conversion with 11;24 remaining in the game for O’Neill’s first lead as they now were on top 14-13.
A great punt by junior Jordan Baskerville who had come out of the game on O’Neill’s first series with a knee injury pinned Liberty at its 15. The Raiders dug in and Eric Wallace sacked Williams. O’Neill got the ball at its own 45 as Liberty coaches barked, “We need a stop.”
They got just that as Covingston knocked the ball loose and Tiago Mastrogiovanni recovered it giving Liberty the ball at the Raiders’ 43.
A facemask penalty by O’Neill helped the Liberty cause as they now faced a first and five at the 42 with just over seven minutes to go. Williams completed a short pass to Javier Baez. After Covington racked up another first down, Liberty was again flagged this time for holding. Now it was first and 20 at the 46 with 4:30 to go.
The Williams to Henry air express worked again yielding a first down on the 22. Five yard runs by Williams and Covington brought it to the 12and with 2:30 to go Williams got a first and goal at the nine.
On the very next play he hit Jaycox in the end zone for what would have been the winning TD but the speedy Fallsburg transfer student couldn’t hold on to the ball. The Indians tried to bang it in with a dive by Covington that went to the five. O’Neill was flagged for encroachment which put the ball on the three. After Williams was stopped in his tracks and with 35.7 seconds remaining. Liberty called a time out and set up its final play, a 22-yard field goal attempt by Henry.
Ryan Henry kicks the field goal at the end of the game but it sails wide right.
“Wide right,” went Henry’s kick and with it the Indians’ hope of a cathartic comeback win. Those were the same famous words used to descirbe the Buffalo Bill demise against the Giants in Superbowl XXV in 1991 as Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard attempt with the Bills trailing by a single point with eight seconds left in the game.
By stark contrast to Liberty’s sinking emotions, O’Neill’s players and coaches erupted in joy at the last minute reprieve.
“Stick a fork in me. I’m done,” quipped Coach Finochioy. “My kids showed unbelievable heart today. They showed that they had the heart of a champion. They really stepped up. I’m so impressed. I’ve never seen a group of young men that played through adversity like this before,” he said as his voice reflected overwhelming emotion.
“Nasi is a workhorse. It doesn’t get any bigger that this he added,” agreeing that this game’s was Liberty’s for the taking and that his team took it back. “Liberty controlled us in the first half and we knew when we came out in the second half that we had to establish Raider football again and run the ball and my kids did that. The offensive line did an unbelievable job including my tight ends.
Jordan Baskerville is tough as nails. He took a knee injury early on and came back in,” he added.
Nasi was quick to deflect the praise. “It it wasn’t for the offensive line I don’t think I would have been going anywhere.”
Liberty Coach John Wilhelm had already spoken to his troops when this writer got to interview him. As the Indians exited the field Wilhelm had this to say: “We hurt ourselves today with too many penalties. But we did play well. The kids ran hard and Marshon threw some really nice passes to Henry but again too many mistakes.
This picture says it all. To the victors belong the spoils.
We did put ourselves in a position to win. Hopefully the next one goes our way. Now we’re in a must-win situation as we face Ellenville and then Sullivan West,” he added.
Ellenville’s coach Tony Borriello was Wilhelm’s coach and is truly his mentor. With the game slated to be played on Liberty’s Pride Weekend and with 0-3 Ellenville and 2-1 Liberty both having to win to assure themselves of a playoff berth, this game is going to be immense to say the least. “Ellenville is hungry and we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Liberty Stat Line:
Passing: Marshon Williams 7/12/107 with one TD.
Rushing: Williams 16/74; Anthony Covington 11/52 with one TD; Kenny Jaycox 8/34
Receiving: Ryan Henry 3/83 with one TD; Javier Baez 2/9; Covington 2/15;
Defense: Baez six tackles; Jaycox nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble; Covington six tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles; Tiago Mastrogiovanni one fumble recovery; Tony Saravia 11 tackles and Danny Hopkins three tackles and one sack.
Liberty is now 2-1 (0-1 OCIAA), while O’Neill is 2-1 (1-0) OCIAA. The Raiders host Sullivan West on September 23. The winner will be assured of a playoff spot.
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