Bears even record with mauling of Onteora

Heads-up play by Knox leads to key scores via interceptions

By JAMES WALSH and RICHARD A. ROSS

ONTEORA, NY — After suffering a brutal loss to Chester last week, Tri-Valley looked to rebound and turn the page. The Bears came into week four needing a win to get their momentum going as it traveled to Class A Onteora on September 24.

For its part, Onteora was reeling from troubles of its own. Hampered by the recent dismissal of head coach Lou Quick, the Indians entered this fray winless. Class C Tri-Valley came in at 1-2. Clearly, both teams desperately needed to right the ship.

Onteora won the toss and elected to receive. In a foreshadowing of their unfortuitous day, the Indians’ first play from scrimmage was a fumbled snap. The Bears’ defense forced Onteora to go three and out as two Indian dive plays came up short.

The Bear’s first play was an incomplete pass to Nick Cassidy. On the next play, Bears’ quarterback Joe Garigliano threw an interception, which gave Onteora the ball in Bears’ territory.

After two Onteora dives and a sweep, Tri-Valley’s Danny Knox picked off an Indian pass and returned it for an 82-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Bears led 7-0. Onteora’s offense struggled on its next possession. A dive play was stopped by defensive tackle Jimmy Walsh and linebacker Nick Cassidy. Then Tri-Valley defensive back James Connolly stuffed a sweep for a loss of two. An Onteora dive brought up fourth down and the Indians were forced to punt.

The Onteora punt gave the Bears great field position. The Bears’ first play was an off-tackle run to Knox, which went for a 46-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Bears extended their lead to 14-0.

Onteora picked up its initial first down of the game on its next drive. The Indians drove inside the Bear’s 20-yard line, but a fumbled handoff was recovered by Cassidy.

The Bears marched down the field on their next possession. Knox ran off-tackle for a first down, and freshman Ryan Van Lieu followed with a run for 34 yards. An option to Knox went for five yards before Van Lieu recorded a first down on a dive play to continue the drive. Knox ran off-tackle for five yards, and Danny Walter ran a sweep for another first down. Capping off the drive, Garigliano hit wide receiver James Connolly for a 39 yard score. The extra point was missed, but Tri-Valley led 20-0.

After an incomplete pass and a stuffed sweep, Onteora was able to hit their tight end in the flat for a first down. A sack by Van Lieu, a pass for no gain and a pass for five yards brought up fourth down. The Indians decided to go for it. It turned out to be an unwise decision as Knox picked up his second interception and returned it 80 yards for his third touchdown of the game. The extra point was good. Onteora’s offense couldn’t get a score in before the end of the first half, and the Bears held a 27-0 lead going into halftime.

The Bears received to start the second half and scored on their first play. Garigliano hit James Connolly for a 50-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed.

As the game progressed, Onteora fared no better. The Bears picked up their last score on a three-yard run by junior Kevin Smith. The extra point was missed.

Onteora recorded its only score of the game on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left in the game. The two-point conversion was good.

“The victory was a much needed confidence booster, which set us going in the right direction as we head into the second half of the season,” said senior quarterback Joe Garigliano.

The final score was Tri-Valley 39, Onteora 8.

TV stats: Garigliano completed two passes for 81 yards with two TD’s; Knox ran for 84 yards on seven carries for one touchdown. Knox also had two interceptions, both of which went for touchdowns. James Connolly had two receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Danny Walter carried the ball four times for 18 yards.

The Bears (2-2) will host Eldred (4-0) next week while Onteora will play Goshen.