GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — On November 4, the Bears of Tri-Valley took on the Onteora Eagles in a non-league crossover varsity football game at the home turf’s Iatauro Sports Complex. 

Both teams took to the local gridiron coming off losses, which effectively closed out their season: on October 27, Tri-Valley succumbed to the Comets of Fallsburg 38-32, while on October 28, Onteora fell to the Pine Plains/Rhinebeck Bombers 24-22.

The Bears (3-7) posted a trio of TDs: a Travis Capawana rush, a reception by QB Josh Fanslau and a reception by James Kachelriess.

On the other side of the scorebook, the Eagles (3-6) ruled the airwaves as they posted 5 TDs on the way to a 40-20 victory: Cole Matteson’s 66-yard reception from QB Reese Rotello, a 36-yard reception by Ethan Barryann, a 49-yard reception by Matteson, a 34-yard reception by Griffin Alterio, and to close out the attack, a 32 rush across the goal line by Alterio.

“We made the playoffs for the first time in 30 years,” said Eagles coach Mike Liverani. He called last week’s loss to the Bombers “heartbreakingly close,” and added of this year’s senior-heavy team, “These guys played out of their minds all season.”

Josh Fanslau , a 17-year-old junior, is the Bears’ QB.

In talking about Tri-Valley narrow loss to Fallsburg, in the wake of a Comets pivotal play with 50 seconds left on the game clock, he said, “Last week was a tough game, but we almost came out with a win… In the second half, we came out with fire, ready to play, ready to fight.”

Plans for next year?

“Win the championship,” replied Fanslau.

Tri-Valley coach Kevin Crudele noted that this year’s team only had three seniors to lead the way. Looking ahead to next year, he said that a number-one goal was to build up the beef.

“We’re going to hit the weight room,” he said. “We’ll come back a year older, with more experience and knowledge, and go for that trophy.”