Sectionals

Valhalla looms large

Win and advance or one and done? Soccer and football stories unfold

By RICHARD A. ROSS

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — This is what they play for. This is what it’s all about: the right to compete in sectionals and create a legacy of memories. If successful, there could be banners and trophies that define the victory of Section Nine tournaments. Win, and advance to the state rounds toward the ultimate Holy Grail, a state title. Lose, and you go home. It’s as simple as that. Here’s the lowdown of what’s on the docket this week. First in football.

Liberty ices the three seed, readies for Sullivan West

With its convincing 33-6 win over Spackenkill, Liberty cemented its position as the three seed in the upcoming Class C football playoffs and gained a chance to avenge a week-two 32-8 defeat to the Bulldogs. Sullivan West overcame an early deficit to Tri-Valley that persisted into the fourth quarter to emerge the 29-19 victor.

Here’s the skinny: Sullivan West, 7-1 (5-1 OCIAA), will be favored and is looking forward to a rematch with Ellenville in the title game on November 7 at Dietz Stadium. First, they’ll have to handle the hottest team in Class C, the 4-4 (4-2OCIAA) Indians. A pair of tall receivers in Jovaughen Clark and Mike McLean seek to stretch the field for Liberty, which hopes to get its running game going with Chris Soto and Brandon Tompkins. The Westies will answer with the offensive weapons such of Austin Erlwein, Chris Murphy, Latti Rabii and receiver Artie Norden. Quarterback Ryan Alsdorf will try to shake off the soreness from T-V and move the chains. The teams will play at Faller Field in Middletown on October 30 at 4:00 p.m.

Girls soccer match ups feature strong rivalries and new foes

Since the soccer sectionals did not get underway until October 26 at 2:00 p.m., look for results on sportsinsightsny.com and a review of the sectional tourneys in next week’s River Reporter. No rivalry is stronger than that which exists between Class B Burke and Sullivan West’s girls. The Lady Westies could have won their first-ever Division IV title with a late-season win over Burke, whom they tied earlier, and O’Neill, whom they beat in their first encounter.

But Burke came to Jeffersonville and won the rematch 2-0 after beating O’Neill the day before. That handed the banner to Burke. Then, Sullivan West lost to O’Neill. Now, number 7 Sullivan West had to travel to number 2 Burke for the Class B quarterfinal. This game promised to be emotional and hard-fought.

Meanwhile, number 8 Liberty drew number 1 Spackenkill on the road for its opener. The Lady Indians beat Burke for the first time in 11 years this season before losing to them in the rematch. They also defeated Sullivan West in the second game of their set after losing the first. The Spack/Liberty winner got number 4 Highland in the semis. The Sullivan West/Burke winner played number 3 Marlboro in the semis. The Class B championship is slated for November 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Middletown High School.

In Class C, number 4 Tri-Valley looks to avenge a loss the week before as they take on number 5 Chester on the Lady Bears’ pitch. The winner advances to play at number 1 Millbrook on October 29. Finals will be played on November 2 at Middletown H.S. at 4:00 p.m. The Lady Bears got a big boost of confidence by beating Tuxedo 6-3 in a rematch of a game they lost 3-0 earlier this season.

In Class D, number 3 Roscoe traveled to number 2 Eldred to play for the right to battle number 1 Livingston Manor. The Class D final was scheduled for October 31 at 9:00 a.m. at Middletown.

Three Sullivan County boys teams

enter the fray

In Class B, number 6 Liberty drew a great seed by garnering a game with number 3 James I. O’Neill, a team they tied 0-0 in their first outing and beat 1-0 the second time out. The winner advanced to play the winner of number 7 Onteora vs. number 2 Marlboro. Games are played at the higher seed’s school. The final was scheduled for November 3 at 4:00 p.m. at Middletown. In Class C, number 6 Fallsburg traveled to play number 3 Tuxedo. The winner advanced to play at S.S. Seward in the semifinals. The finals were slated for November 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Middletown.

In Class D, number 1 Family School awaited the winner of number 3 John A. Coleman Catholic vs. number 2 Chapel Field. The final was slated for October 31.