Dawgs honored at annual football banquet

Awards for past season and plans for next mark special night

By RICHARD A. ROSS

CALLICOON, NY — With driving snow and sleet coming down on December 3, the Sullivan West football team and their host of loyal parents were glad of one thing: they didn’t have to brave the weather on the field and sidelines during this maelstrom.

This past season didn’t end with the Dawgs’ hoped-for fourth consecutive Section Nine title, but head coach Ron Bauer praised the team’s efforts nonetheless. “We implemented a complex new offense and we had only one starter back on the line,” said Bauer, who was quick to credit Class C champion Tri-Valley as the team that played better. Bauer urged his players to work on their off-season weightlifting and stressed the importance of attitude.

“A lot of sports is attitude. It’s how you react to things that matters,” he said.

During dinner, players, coaches, parents and the media were treated to a fine retrospective slide show put together by Bill Moloney. Following that, Bauer thanked the cheerleaders and introduced their coaches, Nina Verderber and Tara Brey, who made a special presentation to Kim Verderber for her four years of dedication as Sullivan West’s cheerleading mascot.

Brey remembered how Verderber came to the fence while she was in kindergarten and wanted to be a part of the cheerleading experience. “We’ll miss her,” the coaches said as they presented the outgoing mascot with a gift and flowers.

Gridiron Club president Bonnie Schlott had a long list of people to thank. She presented each of the players with a gift bag, starting with seniors Will Schlott, Jason Leewe, Tom Lynch, Jim Moloney, Luke Tonjes, Ben Creegan and Nick Redmond.

Next up for recognition was the coaching staff that included Anthony Durkin, Kurt Buddenhagen, J.P. Lang, Matt Buddenhagen, statistician Ken Uy and head coach Ron Bauer.

Bauer gave thanks to the parents, cheerleaders and his coaching staff. “We all learned a lot this year,” he said, reeling off some of the major accomplishments of the campaign. These included 2,675 yards of offense, 1,632 rushing yards and 1,043 yards of passing. Jim Moloney, who was chosen as the Class C Back of the Year and named a first team All-Star, rushed 116 times for 606 yards and completed 60/120 passes for 1009 yards.

Will Schlott rushed for 467 yards and had 27 yards receiving. He scored nine touchdowns. Brad Reimer was the team’s leader in all-purpose yardage with 791 yards. He gained 238 yards receiving, 267 on kickoff returns and 76 on punt returns.

Jason Leewe was the leading receiver with 444 yards and six touchdowns, while Dan Figueroa led the team in kickoff returns with 280 yards. Bauer credited the special teams unit with 607 yards on kickoff returns and Artie Norden for his 23 PATs and a 34-yard field goal.

Bauer stressed a need to improve tackling and to add strength through weight training.

He then called up those players who were named to the Section Nine Class C All-Stars. First team selections included Reimer, Figueroa, Moloney, Leewe (leading tackler), Schlott, Tyler Wagner and John Whittaker. Mark Tesseyman and Artie Norden were accorded honorable mention.

Moloney and Reimer were named to the All-Section Nine team and Tyler Wagner was named the Sullivan West Lineman of the Year.

Bauer stressed the importance of maintaining good grades and urged his returning players to work hard starting now. “I expect a good commitment next year, and a Section Nine and perhaps regional trophies as well,” said Bauer.

“Let’s get the job done,” he concluded.