League Lore 2012
OCIAA Meet Lives Up To Its Usual Standard Featuring The Best Of The Orange County League’s Runners, Jumpers And Throwers; Records Shattered, Personal Bests Abound As Athletes Marshal Their Resolve For Coming Sectionals And States
Boys team results: 1) Warwick Valley 132; 2) Monroe-Woodbury 116; 3) Kingston 80; 4) Newburgh 60; 5) Middletown 31.66; 6) Washingtonville 30; 7) Cornwall 24; 8) James I. O’Neill 22; 9) Pine Bush 20; 10) Valley Central 18.33; 11) Liberty 12; 12) Eldred 10; 13) Monticello 9; 14) Goshen 8; 15) Fallsburg 7; 16) Minisink Valley 6; 17) Tri-Valley 3
Girls team results: 1) Cornwall 143; 2) Newburgh 95; 3) Monroe-Woodbury 78 ; 4) Kingston 56; 5) Warwick Valley 47; 6) Washingtonville 30 ; 7) Middletown 28; 8) Valley Central 27; 9) Pine Bush 23; 10) Eldred 14; 11) Port Jervis 11; 11) Tri-Valley 11; 13) Goshen10 ; 14) Minisink Valley 4; 14) Fallsburg 4; 14) James I. O’Neill 4; 17) Liberty 3; 18) Monticello 1
Glorious moments from the OCIAA Championships (clockwise) Middletown's Amber Goodspeed rockets by the water barrier en route to winning the 2000 steeplechase. Kingston's Tarriq Jones edges out NFA's Isaih Valentine to win the 100. Port Jervis' Karissa Caesar wins the 100 by two one hundreths of a second over Cornwall's Olivia Jebb. Cornwall's Brittany Bryant wins the 100 high hurdles. Liberty's Kane Sauchuk takes 4th in the 110 high hurdles and the 400 intermediate hurdles. Tri-Valley's Jimmy Bernstein shatters his prior personal best in the 800 with a time of 1:59. Cornwall's Brittany Bryant wins the long jump. She also won the high jump and just missed a sweep of all four events as she was just shy of teammate Jebb in the triple jump. Valley Central's Holly Cavalluzzo holds off NFA's Gianna Frontera in the 1500 just like she did in the 3000 a day prior. Fallsburg's Michael Robinson clears 5-10 in the high jump and fails to place but he took third in the triple jump and sixth in the long jump. Monticello's Tino Taylor breaks the school record in the 400 with a time of 50.62. The mark had stood on the books for more than 20 years. Warwick's Paddy Grandinall and Eldred's Hunter Proscia are side by side in the early going of the 3000 steeplechase. Grandinall won the event. Proscia finished 4th with a PR. Grandinall also won the 3200 and the 1600.. Sullivan West's Amanda Rosenberger and Liberty's Rebeccah Harman were Sportsmanship Award winners along with Washingtonville's Lauren Hehir and Newburgh's Xavier McAllister. Liberty's Kenny Jaycox was fourth in the long jump.
WARWICK, NY—From the photogenic steeplechase races in the early morning to the last relay of day two of the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships, it was a non-stop panoply of athleticism, speed, strength, determination and moments of personal and team glory.
Each and every year it always is just that.
What can you say about Warwick’s boys team? Having just completed their 24th season without losing a dual meet, the Purple Wave reclaimed the league title won by Monroe-Woodbury a year ago. In the girls realm it was powerful Cornwall retaining its title. True, Aisling Cuffe is now rendering her superior talents to the Stanford Cardinal, but in her stead remain a cadre of talented Lady Dragons across the spectrum.
The Warwick High School venue is outstanding, the competition is first-rate and if you love track and field as much as I do, there are momentous things happening nearly everywhere you look.
All of which explains why I am invariably smiling when I arrive at Warwick and why that smile is still on my face in late afternoon as I am heading to my car with my camera jam-packed with memorable photos and my brain brimming with the density of all that I’ve seen and heard during the day.
To try and report on all of the milestones of the day would be an impossible task and as I have earned the distinction of being spot-on reporter/photographer/troubadour for the Sullivan County schools, I am naturally looking to key in on kids from Monticello, Liberty, Sullivan West, Tri-Valley, Fallsburg and Eldred.
For the athletes from Sullivan County, the challenge of testing their mettle against the immense talent on display from the larger schools offers a chance to push for lifetime bests and to hone their edge for the coming sectionals wherein the competitive field will be narrowed down to kids from similarly sized schools.
Before giving homage to the locals I would be remiss without mentioning some of the day’s highlights from across the entire variorum of the meet. Shooting upwards of 700 photos, and resolving to keep over 500 of them which are posted on www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com, I turned my camera on as many events as possible to afford big school kids as well as my usual clientele, a chance to see themselves in their shining moments.
Standouts of the day included Warwick’s Paddy Grandinall who followed up his prior day win in the 3200 (9:22.11) with a win in the 3000 steeplechase (9:41.39) and the 1600 (4:23.94).
Cornwall senior Brittany Bryant ran a personal-best 14.81 seconds in the 100 hurdles, Bryant also topped out with a PR in the high jump at 5-5 to win that event. Looking for a sweep of all four of her events, she got her third victory with a winning long jump of 18 feet, 2 inches, just 14 inches shy of her season’s best . Teammate Olivia Jebb won the triple jump in which Bryant leaped 36-4 to take second. Jebb posted a mark of 36.75. Bryant will be heading to Division II American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts where she will play both volleyball and run track.
Monroe-Woodbury junior Amin Tmimi won the 110-meter high hurdles in 15.06 seconds and the 400 intermediate hurdles in 52.29 seconds just one day after failing to win the pole vault in which he was heavily favored.
Valley Central junior Holly Cavalluzzo held off Newburgh sophomore Gianna Frontera in the 3000 (9:57.36) and again in the 1500 (4:35.58). Both finishes surpassed her seed times coming in.
Sportsmanship award winners on the day included Washingtonville’s Lauren Hehir, NFA’s Xavier McAllister, Liberty’s Rebeccah Harman and Sullivan West’s Amanda Rosenberger.
Now on to the Sullivan County warriors. Let’s do this school by school.
Tri-Valley: Mareena DiMilia finished second in the outdoor pentathlon with 2,434 points. She was tops in the following pentathlon events: 100 high hurdles (16:31) and the shot put (10.42m) and third in the long jump (4.50m); In other pentathlon finishes, Keira McHugh was 3rd in the 800 ( 2:34.90) and Katlynn Greffrath was third in the high jump (1.58m); In the boys penthathlon; Zach Nilsen was fifth overall with 2,267 points. He was 6th in the pentathlon high jump (1.57m) and 2nd in the pentathlon 1500 meter run (4:28.89).Brooke Gillette was second in the unseeded 3000 (11:27.32). Olivia Rehm was sixth in the event (11:34.23). Jimmy Bernstein ran a personal best in the 800 in 1:59 and finished first in the unseeded 3200 (10:03.46). Hauk Boyes was sixth in the event (10:26.79).
Tyler Greffrath was 5th in the unseeded 100 (12.66). Autumn Bender was sixth in the 2000 steeplechase (7:50.87). Sabrena Smith was 2nd in the unseeded steeplechase (8:14.57). Justin Weintraub was 1st in the unseeded 3000 steeplechase (10:59.31). Dalton Cerbone was 2nd in the 3000 unseeded steeplechase (11:02.03). The boys 4×800 relay comprised of Omar Lopez, Bernstein, Weintraub and Brandon Bobik was sixth in 8:35.78. Josh Winters was second in the javelin (143-10) and Colleen Jones was 5th in the discus (98-03).
Liberty: Kane Sauchuk was splendid with his fourth place finishes in the 110 high hurdles (15.75) and in the 400 intermediate hurdles (55.88). Sauchuk’s leadership this year cannot be understated from cross-country throughout the indoor season and now in the spring. A hard-working cerebral competitor, Sauchuk has evinced some of his best performances to date this spring and this day evinced two of them.
Rebeccah Harman was 6th in the 400 intermediate hurdles (1:08.73). Peter Koval won the javelin with a mighty heave of 153-11 setting a new school record in the event. Amanda Bertholf was fourth in the pole vault at 9-0. Kenny Jaycox was 4th in the long jump (21-02.25).
Fallsburg was paced by Candhace Forrest’s 4th place finish in the 100 with a time of 13:00. Michael Robinson was 3rd in the triple jump (44-02) and was 6th in the long jump with a mark of 20-02.75.
Eldred: Julian Gottlieb was 4th in the unseeded 200 (24.97). Matt Watts was 6th in the event (25.36). Hunter Proscia was 3rd in the 3200 with a PR of 9:33.55. He registered another personal best in the 3000 steeplechase wherein he finished 4th in 10:06.90. Proscia was 1st in the unseeded 1600 (4:34.25). Zak Dilles was 2nd in the unseeded 100 (12.16); Breanna Brucher finished 2nd in the pole vault with a leap of 10-0. Erika Bowring was 4th in the triple jump (33-09) and 5th in the long jump (15-04.50).
Sullivan West: Dani Myers was 3rd in the unseeded 2000 steeplechase (8:37.61). Corrine VanWagner was 5th in the event in 8:47.86. Reed Scott was 5th in the unseeded 1600 with a personal best 4:45.82.
Monticello’s Tino Taylor broke the school record in the 400 with a time of 50.62. He finished sixth in the race. The record had stood on the books for more than 20 years. Garrett LaPolt was 2nd in the shot put (47-06.75). Camryn Johnson established a personal best in the unseeded 3000 as she took first in 5:09.94. Twin sister Sydney Johnson was third in the event in 5:10.87.
Next up are the Section Nine championships with the B/C titles on the line on May 23 and the A/D clashes set for May 24.
Once again, for an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Combined Energy
Athletes Team Up In Splendiferous Tri-Valley Relays; New Paltz Boys and Rondout Valley Girls Are Tops; Tri-Valley Girls 2nd Overall And Tops In Small Division; Ellenville 2nd In Boys And Tops In Small Schools; T-V Boys 3rd Overall, 2nd In Small Schools Array; Spackenkill’s Sahsche Allen And New Paltz’s Alfredo Mazzucca Outstanding Track Athletes; Ellenville’s Jeff Nuñez And New Paltz’s Cora Butler Outstanding Field Athletes
Boys Team standings and key: 1. New Paltz (NP) 180 points; 2. Ellenville 157.3; 3.Tri-Valley (TV) 143; 4. Rondout Valley (RV) 124.3; 5. Liberty (Lib) 84.5; 6.Saugerties 76; 7. Sullivan West 66.5; 8 John A. Coleman Catholic (JAC) 61.33; 9. Spackenkill 53; 10. Eldred (Eld) 49; 11 Millbrook 17; 12. Chapel Field 11
Girls Team standings and key: 1. Rondout Valley (RV) 197.5 points; 2. Tri-Valley (TV) 174; 3. New Paltz (NP) 124.5; 4. Ellenville and Liberty 90; 6. Saugerties 77; 7. Spackenkill 69; 8. Sullivan West 54; 9. Eldred 44; 10. Chapel Field 35; 11. Coleman Catholic 24; 12. Millbrook 7.
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Photos at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Scenes from the Tri-Valley relays (clockwise) T-V's Autumn Bender wins the 2000 steeplechase, Spackenkill's Sahsche Allen wins the 100. She was the Outstanding track athlete of the meet. Eldred's Hunter Proscia captures the 2000 steeplechase. T-V's Jimmy Bernstein is second in the 1600. SW's John Masten shows great form in the 1200 shuttle hurdle relay as does T-V's Ali Reynolds. New Paltz's Alfredo Mazzucca was the outstanding track athlete at the meet. Here he is en route to winning the 1600. Sullivan West's Amanda Rosenberger wins this semifinal 100 heat. She finished third overall. Sullivan West's Corrine Van Wagner soaks up the water in the 2000 steeplechase. She finished 5th. Eldred's Christine Donnelly took 2nd in the 1500. Liberty's Andy Hazelnis completes the anchor leg of Liberty's winning varsity 400 relay. Lara Jane Heslop does the same for the Lady Indians' victorious team. Tri-Valley's Raphael Ramirez does his part to capture the hammer throw relay. Brendan Tierney added his throw after taking the SAT's. Eldred's Craig Burns wins the 100. Sullivan West's Matt Cardona combined with Mitch Paciga to win the high jump relay. Tri-Valley's Katlynn Greffrath leaps over the hurdles as she completes one third of the winning 1200 hurdle relay for the Lady Bears. T-V's Sabrena Smith carries the baton in the winning 3200 relay. .
GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Given the wisdom of the old adage that two heads are better than one, imagine how much more viable are three or four, especially when they’re attached to strong young bodies in pursuit of a combined victory in any given event in track and field.
That is the modus operandi of the annual Tri-Valley relays, a departure from the normal track meet proceedings wherein the only combined events are the 400, 800,1600 and 3200 relays. In this relay meet, the individual events on the docket were the 100, the girls 1500 and boys 1600 and the 2000 steeplechase. Every other event was scored by combining the times, heights or distances of a team’s participants.
Needless to say every athlete strives for his or her best individual performance and indeed the day would evince numerous personal best marks. But even with such landmarks posted, teams could lose an event if one of the other participants failed to muster a sufficient time, distance or height. Track meets are always a blend of individual efforts that combine for team standing, but in meets such as this, the combined effort is even more consequential.
As it was two weeks prior for the Tri-Valley Invitational, the weather was magnificent, perhaps in deference to Coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro who will retire after next season and who have witnessed more than a few maelstroms and frigid outings on the days on which landmark meets have been staged over more than three decades.
For the purpose of this meet, schools were divided by T-V Coach Joe Iatauro into Division I and II though those classifications have little to do with the state size categories. For this meet Division I was comprised of New Paltz, Rondout Valley, Saugerties and Spackenkill. Division II participants included Chapel Field, John A. Coleman Catholic, Eldred, Ellenville, Liberty, Sullivan West and Tri-Valley. Invitees Livingston Manor/Roscoe and Clarkstown South were not present. Events were scored through the eighth place finishers.
Continuing their spring barnstorm of success, Tri-Valley’s boys and girls teams excelled with the girls taking second place overall and first among the small schools on hand. This followed team victories at the Tri-Valley Invitational wherein the Lady Bears not only won out over Division II schools (by state size standard) but also held sway over every one of the other 26 schools competing. They followed that up a week later with a team win at the Monticello Games.
In the Tri-Valley Relays The Lady Bears were gold medalists in the following:
F/S Sprint Medley Relay 4:36.7; 6400 relay 24:34.6 (Brooke Gillette, Olivia Rehm, Danielle Graham and Sabrena Smith); F/S Discus relay 162-3; hammer relay 237-8 Dominque Darby and Heidi Furman; varsity shot put relay 68-5 ½ Darby and Mareena DiMilia; 2000 steeplechase 7:58.9 Autumn Bender; 300 shuttle hurdles 51.8 DiMilia, Vicky Tingley and Ali Reynolds; distance medley relay 14:14.6 Bender, Alex Brooks, Sabrena Smith and Rehm; javelin relay 185-9 and the 1200 intermediate hurdle relay 3:42.5 behind the combined effort of Katlynn Greffath, Sabrina Smith and Ali Reynolds.
As for the boys squad, a third place finish overall and second among small schools marked yet another stellar outing. The boys finished first among Division II schools at the Tri-Valley Invitational and fourth overall at the Monticello Games.
The Bears were gold medalists in the following:
F/S sprint medley relay 3:54.4 Aidan Woolsey, Tyler Greffrath, Josh Winters and Justin Weintraub; and the hammer relay 269.4 Brendan Tierney and Raphael Ramirez.
Jimmy Bernstein took 2nd in the 1600 (4:32). This was Bernstein’s last competition on the Tri-Valley track completing a storied home career.
But Tri-Valley was far from alone among Sullivan County schools in capturing its moments of glory on the day. Eldred’s Hunter Proscia won the 2000 steeplechase in 6:25.3, just three second shy of the mark he had posted to win the event at the Tri-Valley Invitational. Craig Burns won the 100 in 11.3.
Christine Donnelly took 2nd in the 1500 (5l08.3).
Sullivan West took gold in the high jump relay as Mitch Paciga and Matt Cardona combined for a height of 11-6. Amanda Rosenberger recorded a blistering 12.6 in the 100 and 27.1 in her legs of the 400 and 800 relays for personal best times. She took 3rd in the 100. The 1500 racewalk (non-scoring) was easily won by Rachel Deppa (8:09.4).
Liberty claimed the gold medal in the 1200 intermediate hurdle relay 3:00.5 as Erick Cuellar, Andy Hazelnis and Kane Sauchuk combined for the speedy win. The Indians also garnered gold in the varsity 400 relay (46.) as Cuellar, Nick Campos, Kenny Jaycox and Hazelnis marshaled the victory. Liberty’s girls varsity 400 relay (52.7) was also victorious as Amanda Bertholf, Nikole Snyder, Rebeccah Harman and Lara Jane Heslop took turns speeding forward with the baton.
Staged on the day when SAT’s and ACT’s were being given, the meet always has a 12:00pm start. As those students who were undergoing the rigors of the long tests arrive, they find their way to the events they are slated for and compete, usually after the other members of their teams have finished at that particular venue.
For this photographer the prime agenda was two-fold: First and foremost was to amass a collection of hundreds of stunning photos of athletes at their craft, with a particular concentration on the Sullivan County schools. Second and nearly as important was to stay abreast of milestones both on an individual and team basis.
Track is a complex matter, not for the feint of heart of the occasional unfamiliar correspondent for whom the entire mélange of events taking place all around is undoubtedly confusing and impossible to fathom.
As for me, being a ten-year veteran of these multi-ring circuses, it all makes perfect sense.
During the course of a track meet I always find time to schmooze with many of the kids I have come to know so well and to encourage them to press on with the tasks at hand. Invariably they seem to appreciate the attention both in words and in the photos that pour onto the www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com.
So too do the parents who are grateful for the up close, professional photographs that will grace their albums and walls as mementos of these halcyon days of their children’s youthful ardor.
Medals were awarded to first, second and third place finishers. Team trophies were awarded as well.
First through third place finishers are listed below but for more edification I have provided the score sheets that show all eight place finishers courtesy of T-V scorekeeper Kevin Giroux.
Boys Team standings and key: 1. New Paltz (NP) 180 points; 2. Ellenville 157.3; 3.Tri-Valley (TV) 143; 4. Rondout Valley (RV) 124.3; 5. Liberty (Lib) 84.5; 6.Saugerties 76; 7. Sullivan West 66.5; 8 John A. Coleman Catholic (JAC) 61.33; 9. Spackenkill 53; 10. Eldred (Eld) 49; 11 Millbrook 17; 12. Chapel Field 11
100 meters: 1. Craig Burns (Eld) 11.3; 2. Kenny Jaycox (Lib) 11.6; 3. Charlton Tsai (NP) 11.7; 1,600: 1. Al Mazzucca (NP) 4:27.2; 2. James Bernstein (TV) 4:32.0; 3. Marco DiBella (JAC) 4:37.6; 330 shuttle hurdles relay: 1. Ellenville (Bruce, Echols, Groat) 51.3; 2. Tri-Valley 53.1; 3. Sullivan West 54.7; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Hunter Proscia (Eld) 6:25.3; 2. J. Grout (Ell) 7:11.5; 3. Eric Dunham (Sau) 7:21; 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Cuellar, Campos, Jaycox, Hazelnis) 46.0; 2. Rondout Valley 46.4; 3. Ellenville 46.5; 800 relay: 1. Spackenkill (Wilson, Mastmann, Bonden, Clear) 1:35.3; 2. Rondout Valley 1:35.7; 3. Coleman 1:37.4; 1,200 intermediate hurdles relay: 1. Liberty (Eric Cuellar, Andy Hazelnis, Kane Sauchuk) 3:00.5; 2. Tri-Valley 3:02.2; 3. New Paltz 3:04.6; 1,600 relay: 1. New Paltz (Stewart, Hasbrouck, Lamarche, Climer) 3:29; 2. Spackenkill 3:35; 3. Tri-Valley 3:35.8; 3,200 relay: 1. New Paltz (Busby, Hasbrouck, Mazzucca, Mazzucca) 8:30.7; 2. Tri-Valley 8:36.2; 3. Spackenkill 9:47.5; 6,400 relay: 1. New Paltz (Rizza, Torquato, Mazzucca, Busby) 20:32.9; 2. Tri-Valley 21:31.8; 3. Liberty 23:20.8; distance medley relay: 1. New Paltz (Mazzucca, Climer, Mazzucca, Busby) 11:11; 2. Tri-Valley 11:44.5; 3. Sullivan West 12:34.6; sprint medley relay: 1. Coleman (Vansteenburg, Catalano, Discovo, DiBella) 3:46.3; 2. Rondout Valley 3:48.8; 3. Libery 3:53.4; high jump relay: 1. Sullivan West (Mitch Paciga,Matt Cardona) 11-6; 2. (tie) Coleman and Ellenville 11-4; long jump relay: 1. Ellenville (Quicero, Echols) 39-2; 2. New Paltz 37-1; 3. Rondout Valley 35-7; triple jump relay: 1. Ellenville (Echols, Quiceno) 79-9; 2. Coleman 77-1.5; 3. Rondout Valley 76-3; shot put relay: 1.Tri-Valley (Brendan Tierney, Raphael Ramirez) 82-3; 2. Ellenville 78-2.5; 3. Saugerties 74-3; discus relay: 1. Ellenville (Jeff Nunez, Preston Bazemore) 261-4; 2. Coleman 234-3; 3. Liberty 233-2; javelin relay: 1. Ellenville (Gaetta, Boriello) 245-2; 2. Liberty 244-10; 3. Tri-Valley 226-4; hammer relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Ramirez, Tierney) 269-4.5; 2. Ellenville 269-3; 3. Liberty 181-7; pole vault relay: 1. Ellenville (Kasloski, Farrenkopf) 23-0; 2. (tie) Eldred and New Paltz 21-0; Pentathlon: 1. Shamar Corum (NP) 2,571 points; 2. J.P. Heylde Ortiz (NP) 2,127; 3. Mateo Julia-Wise (NP) 1,864.
Outstanding field athlete: Jeff Nunez (Ellenville).
Outstanding track athlete: Alfredo Mazzucca (New Paltz).
Girls Team standings and key: 1. Rondout Valley (RV) 197.5 points; 2. Tri-Valley (TV) 174; 3. New Paltz (NP) 124.5; 4. Ellenville and Liberty 90; 6. Saugerties 77; 7. Spackenkill 69; 8. Sullivan West 54; 9. Eldred 44; 10. Chapel Field 35; 11. Coleman Catholic 24; 12. Millbrook 7.
100 meters: 1. Sasche Allen (Spac) 12.8; 2. Christine Kelly (RV) 12.9; 3. Amanda Rosenberger (SW) 13.1; 1,500 race walk (non-scoring): 1. Rachel Deppa (SW) 8:09.4; 2. Mary Alongi (TV) 9:54.5; 3. Lindsay Green (E)) 11:11.1; 1,500: 1. Shannon Averill (Saug) 4:55.7; 2. Christine Donnelly (Eld) 5:08.3; 3. Cami Ferguson (NP) 5:11.2; 300 shuttle hurdles relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Mareena DiMilia, Vicky Tingley, Ali Reynolds) 51.8; 2. Liberty 54.5; 3. Rondout Valley and New Paltz 57.7; 2,000 steeplechase: 1. Autumn Bender (TV) 7:58.9; 2. Megan McGowan (CF) 8:02.0; 3. Olivia Rehm (TV) 8:31.6; 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Amanda Bertholf, Snyder, Rebeccah Harman, Lara Jane Heslop) 52.7; 2. Rondout Valley 53.0; 3. Chapel Field 54.1; 800 relay: 1. Rondout Valley (Mondini, Ospina, Winnie, Kelly) 1:51.9; 2. Liberty 1:51.5; 3. Ellenville 1:57.6; 1,200 intermediate hurdles relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Katlynn Greffrath, Sabrena Smith, Ali Reynolds) 3:42.5; 2. New Paltz 3:46.1; 3. Rondout Valley 3:49.8; 1,600 relay: 1. Saugerties (Averill, Kilmer, Averill, Averill) 4:19.5; 2. Rondout Valley 4:23.3; 3. Chapel Field 4:25.6; 3,200 relay: 1. Saugerties (Averill, Doyle, Averill, Averill) 10:29.3; 2. Tri-Valley 10:35.7; 3. Rondout Valley 11:09.8; 6,400 relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Brooke Gillette, Olivia Rehm, Danielle Graham, Sabrena Smith) 24:34.6; 2. Rondout Valley 30:24.9; 3. Ellenville 31:47.7; distance medley relay: 1. Tri-Valley ( Autumn Bender, Alex Brooks, Sabrena Smith, Olivia Rehm) 14:14.6; 2. Sullivan West 14:52.4; 3. Rondout Valley 14:53.9; sprint medley relay: 1. Chapel Field (St. Germain, Vellenga, McDermott, McGowan) 4:36.8; 2. Eldred 4:42.5; 3. New Paltz 4:47.1; high jump relay: 1. Rondout Valley (Strang, Mathedy) 9-4; 2. (tie) Tri-Valley and Rondout Valley 9-0; long jump relay: 1. New Paltz (Butler, Bouchard) 32-0; 2. Tri-Valley 29-9.5; 3. Rondout Valley 28-6.25; triple jump relay: 1. New Paltz (Butler, Butler) 68-1; 2. Rondout Valley 64-7.75; 3. Liberty 60-0.5; shot put relay: 1. Tri-Valley ( Dominique Darby, Mareena DiMilia) 68-5.5; 2. Tri-Valley 56-9.5; 3. Rondout Valley 55-9; discus relay: 1. New Paltz (Takacs, Carroll) 177-5; 2. Rondout Valley 170-3; 3. Saugerties 139-2; javelin relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Mareena DiMilia, Heidi Furman) 185-9; 2. Tri-Valley 135-9; 3. Ellenville 131-7; hammer relay: 1. Tri-Valley (Dominque Darby,Heidi Furman) 237-8; 2. Ellenville 196-9; 3. Tri-Valley 155-2; pole vault relay: 1. Rondout Valley (Gribbon, Agustaro) 16-0; 2. Eldred 10-6; 3. Liberty 8-6; Pentathlon: 1. Grassi (RV) 1,576 points; 2. Hart (NP) 1,370; 3. Bader (RV) 1,059.
Outstanding field athlete: Cora Butler (New Paltz).
Outstanding track athlete: Sasche Allen (Spackenkill).
Results of the Tri-Valley Relays showing places from 1st through 8th. Scoresheets compiled and generously contributed by Kevin Giroux.
Once again, photos are located at www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
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
Backs To The Wall
Liberty Is Victorious Over Ellenville In A Quagmire To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive; Covington and Jaycox Score Two TD’s Apiece In Mud War Against Struggling Blue Devils; Win Caps Off Pride Weekend Success
Liberty 25, Ellenville 6
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
An epic win keeps playoff hopes alive: Liberty defeats Ellenville to stay in the hunt for a berth in the Class C afterlife (Clockwise) Anthony Covington makes a great gain as he is finally wrestled by his jersey by Blue Devil Robert Borriello. Liberty QB Marshon Williams and Covington lead the line as muddied Liberty players get ready for the handshake. Kenny Jaycox sets off on a 45-yard TD run. He and Covington scored two TD's apiece. Liberty cheerleaders dance in the rain and splash in the puddles. Ellenville's Tyler O'Bryant avoids a diving tackle attempt by Ryan Henry as he returns a second half kickoff to the house for the Blue Devils' only score of the game.
Editor’s note: Heading off to Monticello for the game vs. Saugerties. I will add more photos to the text below tonight.
LIBERTY, NY—Sports build character. Of that there can be little doubt.
Perseverance, teamwork, leadership and courage in the face of adversity are required to marshal the strength to pick oneself up off the mat and forge on when things don’t go your way.
Liberty did just that following its heart-rending 14-13 loss to O’Neill a week ago, a game they had in their control at the end and failed to capture.
Gathering around and anxious to take to the muddy field,, Liberty players get some tips on the sideline.
Evincing a dominating 25-6 win over Division I rival Ellenville by putting the hammer down early against the Blue Devils, was fitting as the denouement to Pride Weekend already alluring behind girls and boys soccer wins and a victorious tennis match.
The winning effort was a testament to the gritty nature of the Indians and the inspiration they derive from their coaches, fans and adoring community.
Faced with the prospect of being eliminated from playoff contention with a potential loss against the 2008 and 2009 Section Nine Class C Champions, Liberty took to the soupy field amidst a rainy maelstrom and took care of business.
With weather conditions such as they were, the Indians knew they’d have to rely on their ground attack and as Coach John Wilhelm would later note “We’d have to get the ball to our playmakers in space,” in order to maintain an advance against an Ellenville team facing the same elimination threat. As it would soon become apparent, those playmakers included quarterback Marshon Williams and running backs Kenny Jaycox and Anthony Covington.
Their heroics will soon be recounted in detail as this game story unfolds.
But truth be told, the notion of losing this game was never seriously entertained by the upbeat Indians who put last week’s debacle in the rearview mirror and played a ferocious brand of football on both sides of the ball.
As for me, clearly the only photo journalist on hand to document this crucial game, and not wanting to take the risk of damaging thousands of dollars worth of photo equipment, this already –sodden sports maven took to the booth and relied on his nearly 300mm worth of zoom lens capacity to zero in on the action.
Liberty received to start the game but stalled deep in their own end behind a lack of traction in the quagmire and Ellenville’s staunch defense. After a three and out they punted and the Blue Devils began their first series at their own 46. Indian defense swarmed in and Ellenvile QB Robert Borriello recovered his own fumble only to be smothered by LibertyTyrelll Ivory. Liberty got the ball back via a punt and Williams ripped off a 20-yard run on a keeper giving the Indians a first at the Ellenville 43 as he evaded as series of Blue Devil tackles.
Williams continued to carry the load, churning his feet in the muddy pudding as he marshaled another first down to the 16-yard line. Efrain Baez got five but a fumble put Liberty up against a fourth and five from the 11. Williams got the first down to the five.
Kenny Jaycox scored on a one-yard run with 1:34 remaining in the first quarter to give Liberty a 6-0 lead. The PAT was blocked. Liberty used a quick kick by Ryan Henry, which was Efrain Baez offering Liberty the first takeaway of the night.
Liberty set up at the Ellenville 37-yard line and soon faced a fourth down sand short as the quarter ended. Jaycox got the corner around right for a first down. On third and eight Covington broke loose for a 13-yard TD run at 9:52 of the second quarter for the 12-0 lead. The two point conversion pass was knocked down by Ellenville’s Tyler O’Bryant.
Henry sent a squib kick skittering across the mud that Ellenville’s Kyler Conner recovered at the Blue Devils’ 44. Ellenville tried to run inside to no avail. Its pitch plays also made little or no headway against the pursuing Indians who had practiced to content with such. With such poor traction, O’Bryant’s blazing speed would be severely hampered. That said, as Ellenville Coach Tony Borriello would later note, despite plans to run an inside game, more runs to the outside would have offered better prospects for advance.
Liberty took over on downs at midfield. Liberty committed a holding penalty but that didn’t prevent speedy Jaycox from uncorking a 45-yard TD run with 5:12 remaining for the 18-0 lead. A delay of game by Liberty, pass interference by Ellenville and ultimately a failed conversion try resulted in no additional points added to the already-burgeoning Liberty lead.
Henry’s kick gave Ellenville the ball at its own 20. Borriello had a nice run on a keeper but Ellenville still faced a fourth and three with 3:10 at their own 25. A completed pass to Victor Perez gave Ellenville a needed first down at their own 33. O’Bryant caught a screen pass and now faced a fourth and four but a big tackle by Danny Ramirez gave the Indians the ball back.
On the first play of the next series with 35.8 seconds remaining in the half, Covington broke away for a 41-yard TD run to make it 24-0. Henry’s PAT gave Liberty a 25-0 lead which it would take into the half. A facemask penalty against Ellenville on Covington’s run was declined.
Liberty kicked off to start the second half and in perhaps the only Indian miscue of the day, he sent it deep to O’Bryant. Having watched the Ellenville game against Sulliivan West and O’Bryant’s speedy return to start that clash won by the Westies 26-14, they already knew what the track sprint champion was capable of.
O’Bryant snared the ball at the ten and raced 90 yards for the score with 11:13 remaining in the third quarter to make the scorre25-6. The pass on the conversion try was incomplete.
Ellenville would evince a much better second half as it would hold Liberty scoreless. They tackled better and penetrated the gaps and while they certainly didn’t stop Liberty’s advance between the twenties, they kept them out of the end zone and afforded themselves far more time of possession than they had in the first half.
For its part Liberty’s defense remained stalwart following the O’Bryant TD. Muddied but grinning, they’d return to the sideline after each stand sensing the impending win and all that means for their continued presence in the Class C picture.
Ellenville got some breaks including a fumble recovery of a slippery ball that escaped from Jaycox, but Liberty responded by putting up an unassailable defense that ended with Ellenville’s intentional grounding of the ball on a third down.
Meanwhile the rain was creating a sideshow as Liberty cheerleaders stomped in the puddles to splash each other and happy-go-lucky fans rolled down the muddy hill. Given the weather, the large number of fans on hand was quite impressive.
At the game’s conclusion 2011 Liberty grad Jessica Dunnigan returned for a cameo appearance. The NYS Division II 200 meter champion was honored. The field will now convey her legacy as it will bear witness to her stellar achievement. Dunnigan is now at Northeastern University.
Ellenville Coach Tony Borriello crossed the field to congratulate Liberty Coach John Wilhelm. The mentor to his former player, Borrielllo expressed his well-wishes to his friend and props for a great game played by his team.
Turning to this writer, the affable and classy Borriello acknowledged the ups and downs of success that are part and parcel of athletics, particularly in small schools.
“We were looking for the little things and that’s what I was happy about tonight. I thought we played a much better second half. We went inside and talked about missed tackles that killed us. The kids did what they had to do in the second half, “ he noted.
“Liberty is a good team. They executed well, a lot better than expected in the mud and we didn’t. We’re young and still need to shore up in some spots. Success comes and goes. It’s their turn now and hopefully they’ll do something with it. As for John, he is definitely going places and is going to do well,” he noted.
Falling to 0-4 and 0-2 in Class C essentially means Ellenville’s season is over in terms of postseason play. But for the coach and his staff who think football all year long, even in track season, the work is already about next year.
Wilhelm put the situation succinctly. “Our backs were to the wall and the team responded after the loss last week. We knew we probably weren’t going to throw much and had to rely on our run game. Even as a spread team, we run the ball more than we throw it. In our Class you’ve got to win two of three league games and we got one tonight.
Liberty will travel to Pine Plains next week for a non-league game before taking the journey up the road to Sullivan West the week after for another do-or-die scenario. Following its crushing 20-16 loss to O’Neill with 50 seconds remaining in their game down at Highland Falls, the Westies are in the same boat. O’Neill clinched the Division and the top seed leaving the two teams it stunned late to battle it out for the right to face Division II’s top seed which is probably Burke in the first round of the playoffs.
Liberty improved to 3-1 (1-1 Class C); while Ellenville fell to 0-4 (0-2 Class C).
Liberty stat line:
Passing: Marshon Williams 1/4/4
Rushing: Williams 13/92; Anthony Covington 9/69 with two TD’s; Kenny Jaycox 10/99 with two TD’s; Efrain Baez 1/5.
Receiving: Efrain Baez 1/3
Defense: Javier Baez nine tackles; Williams four tackles and a forced fumble; Danny Ramirez seven tackles and a sack; Joe Franke two tackles and an interception; Tony Saravia seven tackles.
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.
For the complete photo album visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
