Football

Pine Plains 7, Sullivan West 6

Bulldogs come up short in defensive war with Pine Plains

PINE PLAINS, NY — For the Sullivan West Bulldogs, the difference between winning and losing a non-league game under the lights this year came down to a missed point after touchdown kick.

Steve Daley scored the first touchdown of his career on a three-yard run to put the Bulldogs up by a score of 6-0. The teams went back and forth in a tight defensive battle before Jayson Millius of Pine Plains scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter. The point after kick was good, and Pine Plains held on to their 7-6 lead for the duration of the game.

According to Sullivan West coach Ron Bauer, “we had a couple of chances to score but failed to convert them.”

He was referring to two key pass plays that did not result in sufficient yardage on fourth downs. “The routes over the middle were turned upfield instead of towards the sidelines,” Bauer said.

Late in the game, a 20-yard incomplete pass to John Kitson in the endzone dashed the Bulldogs’ chance of a comeback.

Sullivan West compiled 167 yards on the ground and 45 in the air. Daley had 29 yards on 12 attempts. Orion Darder carried the ball eight times for 33 yards. John Glassel had 10 tackles and Scott Peters had five.

Sullivan West’s defense was effective in keeping Pine Plains at bay. A number of times the Bulldogs were able to cause their opponents to turn the ball over on downs in the red zone.

Kenny Redard had to leave the game with a twisted ankle, which set the stage for Daley’s first touchdown.

Asked about his team’s efforts, Bauer said, “I was pleased with the fact that we played hard.”

Pine Plains (3-2) will play Eldred later this season. Sullivan West (2-3) will face Ellenville at home on October 11 for homecoming weekend.