Football

Mighty Eldred buries Roscoe: Chester’s next!

By RICHARD A. ROSS

ELDRED, NY — Make no mistake about it—this Yellowjackets team is going to do everything in its power to earn a berth in this year’s Section Nine, Class D title game at Dietz Stadium in Kingston. If they can marshal all of their fervor and aggressiveness and combine those elements with a razor-sharp execution on both sides of the ball on October 30, they stand an excellent chance of beating defending Class D champion Chester and finally reaching the vaunted destination they have so long sought.

Chester (5-1, 3-1 Class D) lost to Millbrook 34-8 on September 18 and will come to Eldred (5-3, 3-1 Class D) with the same idea in mind: win the game and get to Dietz for a rematch with Millbrook. Something’s got to give as these titans collide. Eldred beat Chester on the road last year, and you can rest assured—the Hambletonians remember the defeat.

For their part, the Eldred players would love to refresh Chester’s memory with another victory over the young men in orange.

This week was the Yellowjackets’ final tuneup before the October 30 season-defining game, but Roscoe presented no challenge for Gang Green, who turned nearly every possession into a score.

Kyle Schneider rushed for 184 yards on 14 carries and scored twice, but it was Jonathan Counts who got the evening festivities going with an 11-yard jaunt at 8:14 of the first quarter. Nick McCormick connected with J.T. Vogt on an end-fly pattern for the second strike of the evening. Taylor Diuguid’s PAT was unsuccessful. The accurate senior was 30-for-33 coming into this game.

While Roscoe foundered, Eldred pounded. Its monstrous defense got into the act with Corey Proscia picking up a fumble and returning it for a touchdown and George Fountain blocking a punt.

Official Jason Kelly from West Point, who has spent many years officiating football games in Georgia, was most impressed with Fountain. “Is he being recruited?” asked Kelly. “He’s just blowing people away out there. I’ve seen a lot of talented linemen and he ranks among the best I’ve seen.” Fountain grinned when Coach Kean told him what Kelly said. It was Fountain’s second score of the season.

Kean, never one to willingly run up a score, pulled his starters with about four minutes left in the first half. Eldred’s Mark Thornton, a jayvee player, added a final touchdown in the second half and Tom Compasso took a short pass from Steven Geiger into the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Referring to Eldred, Roscoe Coach Fred Ahart noted, “They’re a really good team. Coach Kean has done a great job in building his program and I wish them luck.” Roscoe (1-7, 1-3 Class D) will finish its season this weekend at Millbrook.

Tri-Valley pounds Burke 40-21 as Bears hone their edge for Sectionals

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — It’s been a pattern all year for Tri-Valley. In the weeks following defeats, they have been virtually unstoppable.

After falling to Class B Sullivan West 28-0 last week, the Bears took out their frustrations on Dietz-bound John S. Burke Catholic. Danny Knox carried the ball 22 times for 195 yards on his way to scoring a trio of touchdowns. Josh Smith also gave the Eagles fits as he ran 26 times for 144 yards, adding a pair of touchdowns to the scoring flurry. Joe Garigliano ran 12 times for 81 yards and scored a touchdown. He completed two of four passes and threw one interception. Tri-Valley dominated the time of possession and limited Burke to three scores. Fullback Dave Racine had 16 carries for 150 yards. Racine scored a pair of touchdowns. Andrew Jackson’s nine for 34 yards included a touchdown run. Quarterback Mike Sullivan completed six for nine passes for 95 yards. Tri-Valley (4-3) will finish out its regular season at Livingston Manor (3-5) on October 30. The following weekend, the Bears will vie for the Class C title against Pine Plains.

Manor feeds on hapless Webutuck with 24-0 shutout win

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Switching to the quarterback position turned out to be fortuitous for Wildcat Mike Perry, whose three touchdown passes of 13 and 25 yards led Manor (3-5, 2-3 Class D) to a 24-0 division win against winless Webutuck (0-8, 0-4 Class D). Josh Mendez bolstered Manor’s scoring with touchdown receptions of 20 and 25 yards as he got the chance to be on the receiving end of the ball following many starts this season at the quarterback position. Manor takes on a tough Tri-Valley team on October 30 for its season finale.