Football

Pine Plains 34, Eldred 19

Winnable non-league game gets away from Yellowjackets

By RICHARD A. ROSS

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Eldred’s Vinny Reilly (16) takes off for a sizeable gain against Pine Plains. Corey Proscia (54) gets ready to block Pine Plains Stephen Bingenheimer (24). (Click for larger image)

ELDRED, NY — “One, two, three, four pride,” shouted the Eldred team in a pre-game huddle prior to a non-league game against Class C Pine Plains. Pride was all that was left of a season that had once looked so promising.

Running back Kyle Schneider’s preseason injury followed by heartbreaking losses to Milbrook and Livingston Manor dashed any hopes of playing in the postseason.

By the end of the day, after letting a winnable game slip through their hands on October 25, pride was the sole domain of team parents who supported and cheered their sons despite the disappointing season.

The players walked off dejectedly.

Eldred had trouble handling kickoffs that got by their receivers. On their first series, they were forced to start from their own seven-yard line. After failing to make a first down, they put Pine Plains in great field position, but the Yellowjackets’ defense held them to a field goal. Pine Plains led 3-0 at 7:58 of the first quarter.

The Yellowjackets found their rhythm on the next series despite having to start on their own 17-yard line courtesy of another receiving miscue. Vinny Reilly and Jonathan Counts combined on runs bringing the ball right down the field. Nick McCormick scored on a keeper and the Yellowjackets took the lead 7-3 after Taylor Diguid’s successful extra point kick.

The good feeling dissipated on the Bombers’ next series as halfback Jayson Millius began an impressive afternoon by returning the ball to the 47-yard line. He followed that up with runs of eight and 24-yards. Stephen Bingenheimer burst off tackle on a 32-yard touchdown run to give the Bombers a 9-7 lead. The extra point was blocked.

Pride was still a factor as Eldred took the lead right back. Tim Hallock got into the mix as Pine Plains tried to key in on Reilly. The drive ended up with a short touchdown run by Corey Proscia at 10:53 of the second quarter.

After holding Pine Plains, Eldred committed a turnover that proved to be the turning point of the game. McCormick’s errant pitch behind the line to an Eldred back got loose and was recovered by the Bombers at the Eldred 18-yard line. At 3:28 of the first half, Millius carried the ball in, giving Pine Plains a 16-13 lead. Eldred’s final drive of the half brought them to the bombers’ 18-yard line before Millius intercepted a pass from McCormick in the end zone.

Millius wasn’t done ruining Eldred’s day. He burst from the backfield on the third play of the second half and galloped 65 yards for a touchdown making it 22-13.

Pine Plains wove more havoc when they recovered the onside kick and went back to work on the vanishing Eldred defense. A counter play sent halfback Stephen Bingenheimer into the end zone from the 14-yard line, making the score 28-13. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

What else could go wrong? Vinny Reilly suffered a knee injury that sidelined him, and Pine Plains stymied the Yellowjackets on their next series. After moving the ball successfully, Pine Plains took a 34-13 lead on a scoring run by James Davis. Eldred did come back with a late score by Jonathan Counts, but the damage had already been done.

Reilly had 22 carries for 138 yards. Counts carried 12 times for 59 yards. McCormick completed 10 of 13 passes for 129 yards.

Pine Plains’ leading rushers were Jason Millius, who carried the ball 15 times for 159 yards, and Steven Bingenheimer, who carried the ball 7 times for 74 yards.

	(Click for larger image)

Eldred faces Roscoe at home under the lights on November 1 at 7:00 p.m. for its final game. Pine Plains will face Tri-Valley for the Class C title at Dietz Stadium. The date and time for that game have not yet been determined.

Pine Plains assistant coach Gerald Sawyer said the Bombers made adjustments at half time, choosing to use trap blocks to spring their running backs. It turned out to be a good idea.

Eldred coach Frank Kean was extremely disappointed with his team’s effort, especially in light of the fact that Chester upset Livingston Manor 20-18 to earn a playoff berth on October 24. Chester is the only team the Yellowjackets beat this season. Manor will play Milbrook on November 1 to determine which team will face Chester at Dietz Stadium.

Kean and his team still can’t believe they won’t be playing there this year.