KINGSTON - The Section Nine Class AA championship game here at Dietz Saturday night was a wild and exciting offensive slugfest that begged for one defense or the other to make a stop. With 4:15 left in the fourth quarter that stop finally came.

Trailing Monroe-Woodbury, 35-28, Minisink Valley faced a second and goal at the Crusader eight. The play was the 14^th of a drive that had started back at the Warrior 20 after a Jaimie Boyle kickoff had bounded into the end zone for a touchback. Out of the shotgun, MV quarterback Nick Iannuzzi rolled right, desperately looking for an open receiver. He had found plenty of them during the game, but this time the MW defense had them covered. In addition three Crusaders bore down on Iannuzzi as he neared the sideline and converged on the senior all at once. The sack popped the football loose, and defensive tackle George Dawoud covered the fumble to stop the threat and allow Crusader fans the chance to finally take a deep breath.

Monroe-Woodbury then smashed down the field, picking up five first downs on nine running plays, to the Warrior nine where quarterback Danny Scalo took a knee and let time expire. Scalo’s genuflection ended one of the section’s most action-packed and exciting games ever.

This contest was all about offense. The state-ranked #1 Crusaders chalked up 462 net yards of the stuff while the #8 ranked Warriors contributed 339. The game’s first six possessions all ended in touchdowns.

Minisink’s H.R. Rotolo took Boyles’ opening kickoff at the four and returned it to the 17. The Warriors, aided by a 35-yard Iannuzzi scamper and a pass interference call against the Crusaders, covered the 83 yards in 10 plays. Iannuzzi did the honors with a one-yard scoring plunge at 6:25, but Russ Aldave’s extra point boot was low and bounced off the scrum of linemen in front of him. 6-0.

Monroe-Woodbury’s offense was a little more efficient on its first possession, traveling 70 yards in just four plays. Speed-reading QB Scalo started off with a 52-yard romp to the MV 18. Pounding senior fullback Chris Boyce blasted for 13, Scalo for two and finally Boyce the final three for the six-pointer at 4:30. Boyle put the Crusaders up, 7-6, with his first of five successful PATs.

Before the overflow crowd of close to 4,000 could settle in (they never did the whole night), Minisink was on the march again. The Warriors charged 77 yards on six plays. The series opened with a 13-yard Iannuzzi-to-James Ferrier pass and ended with a 49-yard TD pass and run by the same duo. This time Aldave’s boot sailed wide left, but Minisink led, 12-7 at 1:07.

Naturally, the Crusaders answered, this time by going 70 yards in a mere seven plays. Sophomore sensation Scalo capped the march when he somehow loosed himself from a horde of tacklers and bounded down the left sideline. He got a block at the 10 and zipped into the end zone to finish his 30-yard TD jaunt. Boyle made it 14-12 at 9:16 of the second quarter.

The next drive was actually stopped - momentarily. A 28-yard Iannuzzi punt was muffed by MW’s James Young and recovered by Minisink’s Anthony Puglisi at the MW 38. The Warrior offense took advantage. Iannuzzi ran for 19 yards and then for eight more to the 11. Rotolo ran for four and then on first and goal, scored as he scooted outside, got a block and went into the end zone at 5:58. Iannuzzi then ran for two points after to put the Warriors up, 20-14.

On the next series, the sixth of the game, it was now the Cru’s turn. Staring at its 24, the Purple Gang went 76 yards in just six plays. A 21-yard Scalo-to-Jon Green pass put the pigskin at midfield. Scalo then ripped off a 33-yard run. Then Boyce got the call. First he banged for seven yards and then again for the TD which came from six yards out. Enter Boyle and it was 21-20 in MW’s favor with 3:25 still left in the half.

Now Iannuzzi and Company went to work. The senior QB, rushing three times for 37 yards, led his team from its 35 to the Crusader 25. But finally a defense got tired of being pushed around. An Iannuzzi pass to Rotolo went nowhere. Then came a pair of incompletion. A fourth down sack of Iannuzzi by MW linebacker Kyle Milazzo ended the offensive giddiness (temporarily).

But there were still all of 39 seconds left in the half. So Scalo, completing two passes for 36 yards and rushing for nine more, got his team to the Minisink 21 with just enough time for a Boyle field goal try of 38 yards. Boyle, however, uncharacteristically mis-hit the ball which sailed far left of the posts. So MW went into the locker room with a one-point, halftime lead.

The paydirt frenzy continued in the third quarter. Monroe-Woodbury had the advantage of receiving the second half kickoff which was returned 17 yards by Andrew Tolosi to the 37. This would set up a 12-play, 63-yard drive. Boyce carried three times for 15 yards. After a five-yard penalty against MW and offsetting penalties temporarily broke the rhythm, Scalo rushed 15 yards to the Warrior 38. Two plays later his 12-yard pass to Karl Ehlers put the ball at the 24. Then Scalo ran for nine and seven yards to the MV eight. After Boyce was stopped for no gain, Scalo ran the final eight for the six points. Boyle’s boot made it 28-20 at 6:30.

Not used to being behind, Minisink answered with an eight-play, 66-yard drive. The series was topped off with a pair of Iannuzzi passes to Jess Vavricka, good for 15 and 26 yards. On the second catch Vavricka shed three would-be Crusader tacklers to make it into the end zone. Then on the all-important PAT, Iannuzzi hit junior Ferrier with a two-point conversion pass to tie the game at 28 with 2:19 left in the third stanza.

The Monroe-Woodbury offense knew it dared not take a series off. Chris Crosby returned the short kickoff 20 yards to give the Crusaders good field position at their 41. As if they needed it. Scalo ran for 15. Boyce bucked for three. Then Ehlers swept for 23 to the MV 17. Minisink DT Matt Mecking slowed down the charge for a moment when he dropped Scalo for a yard loss. But the QB responded with a 14-yard pass completion to split end Nick Perez. Minisink then encroached to move the ball to the two. From there Ehlers jetted around the right end for what would be the winning touchdown at 11:54. Boyle made it 35-28.

Then followed the Minisink drive that ended in the big sack of Iannuzzi and his subsequent fumble.

Scalo, named the game’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player, led all rushers with 230 yards on 17 carries. The section’s leading scorer and rusher, he now has 1,394 yards on 122 carries for an average of 11.4 yards per carry. His excellent reading ability and the powerful Purple Steamroller offensive line don’t hurt. The QB (protected by the wide-bodied firm of Chris McHale, Marco Scalia, Jared Bari, Gabe Mendez and Mikhail Benscosme) also connected on six-of-seven passes for 101 yards with no interceptions. Green caught two passes for 43 yards, Perez two for 32 yards and Ehlers two for 26 yards. Meanwhile Boyce rushed 18 times for 83 yards while Ehlers was five-for-48.

Iannuzzi led the Minisink attack with an 11-for-16 for 170 yards passing performance that included two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed 15 times for 98 yards. Vavricka, a junior, caught six passes for 95 yards. Ferrier caught four-for-75 yards and rushed for 27 yards on nine lugs. Rotolo rushed 15 times for 43 yards.

The loss was a bitter blow to the Warriors who end with a 9-1 record. For the juniors on the squad it was especially painful, being the first scholastic loss they’ve ever suffered.  Warrior DB Steve Pascarelli was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

For Monroe-Woodbury (10-0), the season continues. In winning their fourth consecutive Section Nine AA championship, the Crusaders will play in next Saturday night’s Class AA Regional (Dietz, 7:30 pm) against Section Two champ Troy LaSalle, a fine offensive team that Minisink had defeated up in Troy back on September 7^th, 42-28.

--- Phil Dusenbury

Naming the All-Class AA team gets a bit unconventional. Our Back of the Year, a quarterback, didn’t make the first team offense! The reason is the Player of the Year who is also a quarterback. If you witnessed the Class AA title game, then you can understand why we did what we did. That classic contest was one of the best - if not THE best - games ever played in the section. Danny Scalo and Nick Iannuzzi were right in the middle of all the action as they were all season long. Here is the SNF Website Class AA All-Star Team for 2007:

Player of the Year: Dan Scalo, Monroe-Woodbury

Back of the Year: Nick Iannuzzi, Minisink Valley

Linemen of the Year: Chris McHale and Marco Scalia, Monroe-Woodbury

Coach of the Year:  Pat D'Aliso, Monroe-Woodbury

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB - Dan Scalo - Monroe-Woodbury, sophomore

RB - H. R. Rotolo - Minisink Valley, senior

RB - Chris Boyce - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

APB - James Ferrier - Minisink Valley, junior

WR - Isai Reyes - Warwick, senior

WR - Nick Perez - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

TE - Anthony Puglisi - Minisink Valley, senior

OL - Chris McHale - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

OL - Marco Scalia - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

OL - Matt Malunat - Minisink Valley, junior

OL - Jared Bari - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

OL - Matt Page - Valley Central, senior

PLK - Jaimie Boyle - Monroe-Woodbury, junior

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DE - Jess Vavricka - Minisink Valley, junior

DE - Jon Green - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

DL - Eric Conklin - Warwick, senior

LB - Matt Walker - Newburgh, senior

LB - Adam Ismaeil - Minisink Valley, senior

LB - Marcus Spearman - Newburgh, sophomore

LB - John Martino - Pine Bush, senior

LB - Ryan Barrett - Warwick, senior

DB - Mat Hannon - Minisink Valley, senior

DB - Sean Powers - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

DB - John Janasiewicz - Kingston, senior

P - Marc Corrado - Newburgh, senior

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB - Nick Iannuzzi - Minisink Valley, senior

RB - Matt Walker - Newburgh, senior

RB - Matt Krakowski - Kingston, senior

APB - D. J. Romano - Newburgh, senior

WR - Jess Vavricka - Minisink Valley, junior

TE - Nick Mastriaco - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

OL - Zack Conklin - Minisink Valley, junior

OL - Billy Castro - Washingtonville, senior

OL - Ryan Barrett - Warwick, senior

OL - Gabe Mendez - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

OL - Alan Van Duzer - Pine Bush, senior

PLK - Marc Corrado - Newburgh, senior

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL - Emmett O’Brien - Warwick, junior

DL - Brendan Bruinix - Pine Bush, senior

DL - Brendan Byrne - Minisink Valley, junior

LB - Troy Freeman - Kingston, senior

LB - Jesse Kurisko - Valley Central, senior

LB - Kyle Milazzo- Monroe-Woodbury, senior

LB - James Brain - Minisink Valley, junior

LB - Sean Christy - Monroe-Woodbury, senior

DB - D. J. Romano - Newburgh, senior

DB - Steve Pascarelli - Minisink Valley, junior

DB - James Gilman - Kingston, senior

DB - Tom Bruder - Warwick, junior

P - Nick Iannuzzi - Minisink Valley, senior

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE: Tyler Schier (QB-VC-Sr), Tom Milburn (QB-War-Sr), Chris Paolini (QB-Wash-Jr), Tom King (QB-King-Jr), Karl Ehlers (RB-MW-Sr), Fred Locklary (RB-NFA-So), Stephon Rivera (RB-PB-Sr), Kyni Scott (RB-PB-Jr), Carl Ortiz (APB-VC-Sr), Jake Winters (RB-War-Jr), Bobby Tansey (RB-Wash-Jr), John DiCarlo (RB-FDR-Sr), Devaghn Millington (APB-FDR-So), Kyle Oliver (WR-Wash-Jr), Nick Clair (Rec-VC-Sr), Dylam Galm (Rec-King-Jr), Corey Hudak (TE-King-Sr), Dave Burnham (TE-Wash-Sr), Jeff Schnakenberg (WR-King-Sr), Mike Litherland (C-MV-Sr), Zak Lake (T-MV-Jr), Alex Trocino (T-FDR-Sr), Mikhail Bencosme (T-MW-Sr), Troy Johnson (OL-King-Sr), Tom Decicco (C-NFA-Sr), Russ Aldave (PLK-MV-Jr), John Schubert (PLK-VC-Jr).

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE: Corey James (DL-King-Sr), Mo King (DL-NFA-Sr), James Shormis (DL-Mid-Sr), Mike Carpentieri (LB-MW-Sr), Dan Fitzgerald (LB-MV-Sr), Jon Lopez (LB-NFA-Sr), John Pavlakis (LB-FDR-Sr), Eric Stanski (LB-War-Jr), Brandon Krouser (DB-Mid-Jr), Mike Ocampo (DL-Mid-Sr), Nick Ospina (DB-MV-Sr), John Kolesar (DB-War-Sr), Jaimie Boyle (P-MW-Jr).

FOOTNOTES: Player of the Year Dan Scalo (6-2, 190) was a sophomore sensation to say the least. Groomed last year as Greg Sullivan’s understudy and then tutored all during the “offseason” preceding the ‘07 campaign by Monroe-Woodbury head coach Pat D‘Aliso, Scalo really proved to be more than precocious. In leading Monroe-Woodbury to a seven-on-seven win over national power Don Bosco (ranked #20 in the nation and #2 in the northeast by Prep Poll), Scalo showed that he could throw the ball. The 2007 season proved that he could make good reads in the Crusader spread and run with the best. As a passer, the southpaw soph completed 61-of-90 passes for 1,339 yards, 13 TD and six interceptions in 13 games. His Quarterback Rating was a way-above average 122.5. In running the ball, Scalo gained 1,811 yards on 186 carries (9.74 average) and scored 29 TD. Of course, he also had an outstanding front line that cracked generous holes for him to escape into the secondary where his speed and moves made him hard to track down.

The Back of the Year is Minisink quarterback Nick Iannuzzi (5-11, 155), whose QBR wasn’t that far behind Scalo’s. The senior completed 55-of-95 passes for 1,166 yards and 12 TD. With all-stars H.R. Rotolo and James Ferrier to do most of the ball-carrying, Iannuzzi didn’t have to carry the ball often. But this kid, also blessed with speed, could also scramble like nobody’s business (he rushed for about 500 yards), making defenses always wary of his breakaway ability. … We had to name Co-Linemen of the Year, both seniors. With Mountain-of-a-Man Chris McHale (6-4, 320) and Mighty Marco Scalia (6-1, 265) watching his back side on pass plays and steamrolling defenders on running plays, Dan Scalo had an advantage that other quarterbacks would have killed for. McHale was the main steamroller who just overwhelmed would-be defenders while Scalia was a superb pulling guard in addition to being a fine straight-ahead blocker.

Coach of the Year Pat D’Aliso has now led his Crusaders to three straight state title games. After last season, M-W lost its all-state quarterback along with much of its starting offense and all of its starting defense. But D’Aliso and his staff work year-round at football and expect a lot from their players. In the offseason the MW coaching staff put together an excellent offensive line and added some fine role-players. Of course, these players (including Scalo) had been groomed during the ‘06 season as D’Aliso, always looking at least a year ahead, always assured such backup training times were provided in his daily practice schedules. For the defense it was a little tougher. While the offense already had veteran starters like McHale, Scalia, Chris Boyce, Nick Mastriaco and Jaimie Boyle returning, the defense had to be built from scratch. Consequently, very few thought that the Cru would return to Syracuse in ‘07. That MW did what it did this fall with, believe it or not, a roster that was far from overloaded with outstanding talent is a testimony to the excellent staff headed by the ultimate perfectionist, D’Aliso who now has 178 career victories on his ledger. It's also a tribute to his players and their parents.  D'Aliso's varsity staff included defensive coordinator Bernie Connolly, line coach Jim Hintze and assistant Michael Connolly. All the hard work and dedication involved in MW Football makes you wonder just what new Crusader names will rise to the all-star level next year.

EXTRA POINTS: Class AA had some excellent placekickers this year. At the head of the list are MW junior Jaimie Boyle and Newburgh senior Marc Corrado. Boyle was one of those kids who worked so very hard in the offseason to become a premier kicker. In 2006 as a sophomore, he converted 44-of-56 tries. This past season he was 64-for-65 (with two field goals) and will take his streak of 48 consecutive successful PATs into his senior season. That gives him a chance to break the sectional and state record for “Consecutive PATs Kicked” held by Wallkill’s Adolfo Rivera (2003-4) who made 63 in a row. Boyle’s 64 successful kicks places him third on the state list of “Season Extra Points Kicked.” Mike Hart owns the state record of 75. Rivera had 59. The state record for “Career Extra Points Kicked“ is 177. Boyle‘s total is 108 which just surpassed Rivera‘s prior sectional record of 106. … Playing for a team that wasn’t as prolific in scoring TDs as MW (so who around here was?), Corrado’s career PAT stat is 41-for-47. In booting seven field goals this year, Corrado closed his career with 12 field goals. Port Jervis’s John Kelly (1979-81) holds the Section Nine record in “Career Field Goals” with 20. The state record is 23. … Both Boyle and Corrado could boot it deep, too, chalking up plenty of touchbacks in 2007. … On our all-star teams, we’ve set a policy of including top performers who missed a significant part of the season because of injury. In most cases we did not put them on the First Team. Two examples on this AA team are Newburgh’s D.J. Romano and Monroe-Woodbury’s Nick Mastriaco.  

By PHIL DUSENBURY

This week some of the Monroe-Woodbury players and fans started referring to team as “The 300.” The Spartan allusion emerged because of all the chatter about the large crowd the Crusaders’ opponent will have at the Class AA state title game Sunday (3 pm). West Genesee is just 10 miles from the Carrier Dome. Additional fans from the Class C game that precedes the AA showdown are expected to hang out, too. Bishop Ludden is also from the suburbs of West Syracuse.

Monroe-Woodbury knows, however, that its concerns lie on the Field Turf and not in the stands. West Genny comes into the game with a hot hand. Like Auburn, which entered the title game last year against MW with three losses on its slate, WG's Wildcats bring a 10-2 record with them. In larger Section Three, the playoffs begin a week sooner than do Nine's, making for an extra week in which anything can happen. An extra round also means extra teams. West Genesee had lost its final regular season game but still squeaked into the playoffs. Given a second life, the Wildcats relaxed and have gotten stronger each week.

Meanwhile the Monroe-Woodbury defense, which returned no starters from last year’s stingy ’D,’ has been left to fend for itself - sink or swim. There was no injection of offensive starters into the defense last week against powerful New Rochelle as some had suspected would happen. Nope. The Crusader defenders knew that they had to hold up their end of the bargain, or MW wouldn’t be headed to the Dome for the third straight time. And they did.

Now comes a new and different challenge for the Purple defense. While New Rochelle had a very strong ground game, West Genesee brings a high-powered passing attack to the table. Warwick (twice), state-ranked Minisink Valley and state-ranked LaSalle all threw against the Crusaders, Minisink’s being the most successful (Nick Iannuzzi was 11-for-16-for-170 yards and two TDs).

West Genesee’s QB, Tim Moran, was just named the Syracuse Post-Standard’s Central New York Co-Player of the Year. The six-foot, 185-pound senior throws a whole lot and to a bevy of receivers led by junior Joe Fazio (6-2, 185). Moran's passing statline is this : 187-for-297, 2,185 yards, 12 TD and 10 INT. That’s good for a respectable QBR of 84.6. Moran has rushed for six TDs but he is not prone to rush too often. RBs Ben Waldron (5-10, 180 senior) and Ryan McConnell (5-8, 175 junior) take care of that.

The Wildcat offensive line is big and built for pass protection. Tackle John Gacek will be the largest player on the field (and in the stadium?) at 6-4, 365. Center Stephen Poole (6-2, 240 senior) anchors the line.

Stepping up for MW to be a defensive leader these last couple of weeks has been DE Jon Green (6-2, 200 senior) who had three big sacks against New Rochelle. Also on the front wall are senior George Dawoud (5-10, 240), senior Alfonso Macera (5-10, 240) and freshman Josh Skowronski (5-10, 230). The linebackers are all seniors: Kyle Milazzo (5-11, 185), Mike Carpientieri (5-10, 180) and Sean Christy (5-10, 200). In the backfield are juniors Omari Byfield (5-10, 160), James Young (5-11, 165), Dan Gold (5-8, 165) and senior Sean Powers (5-9, 175). We’ll also see Matt Bennett (5-11, 180 senior) back there, too. He and Young each have four interceptions.

West Genny’s defense will have to find a way to slow down Monroe-Woodbury’s offense. Like Moran, Crusader QB Dan Scalo (6-2, 190 sophomore) is the focal point. But unlike Moran, Scalo’s first objective is to advance the ball on the ground. So far he has rushed 164 times for 1,684 yards and 27 TDs. If defenders go after him, MW’s option will pound FB Chris Boyce (5-11, 225 senior) up the middle or give the ball to HB Karl Ehlers (5-10, 185 senior) on a jet sweep. Boyce’s rushing stats (158-for-908 yards and 13 TDs) are similar to Waldron’s. But the Wildcats must also watch out for Scalo’s passes. He’s only thrown 81 times this year but has completed 58 for 1,297 yards, 13 TD and just four INT. That makes for a gaudy QBR of 132.8. SE Nick Perez (29-for-591 yards and nine TDs) has been Scalo‘s favorite target. Other HB/WRs are senior Zack Flood and junior Chris Crosby.

The Crusaders offensive foundation is the excellent senior front interior five, the Purple Steamroller: RT Chris McHale (6-4, 320), RG Marco Scalia (6-1, 265), C Jared Bari (5-10, 240), LG Gabe Mendez (5-9, 260) and Mikhail Become (6, 260). With their playing just one way, they wear down opposing linemen who go both ways. Meanwhile Green has replaced injured Nick Mastriaco at TE to be the team’s lone two-way starter.

The Wildcats’ defense is led by senior ILB Luke Cometti (6-3, 200) who loves to hit people. Cometti is also the starting tight end. He is joined at LB by Joe Kesler (5-10, 175 senior) and Nick Cammuso (5-11, 192 senior) in the four-four. The line in front of them includes Gacek and Pooler at DT. They'll try to clog the middle.  The DEs are also strong: Ossama Mere (6, 210 senior) and Dan Kolinski (5-11, 175 senior). The excellent secondary has Dave Hildman (5-7, 172 junior), Jake Fietkiewicz (5-11, 140 junior) and safety Jeremy Connors (5-11, 170 senior).

NOTES: Monroe-Woodbury has been ranked #! All season. West Genesee made the Class AA rankings just a few weeks ago. The Wildcats are #8 … “The 300” will be headed up to the Syracuse area on Saturday to forego one half of the long ride on Sunday.

1. Monroe-Woodbury 35, Warwick 7 …. West Genesee 32, Central Square, 14

2. Monroe-Woodbury 31, North Rockland 10 …. West Genesee 13, Auburn 12

3. Monroe-Woodbury 28, Kingston 0 …. West Genesee 24, Liverpool 21

4. Monroe-Woodbury 48, Horseheads 16 …. Utica Proctor 20, West Genesee 15

5. Monroe-Woodbury 44, Middletown 0 …. West Genesee 26, Fayetville-Manlius 0

6. Monroe-Woodbury 45, Newburgh 10 …. West Genesee 27, Syracuse CBA 24 (OT)

7. Monroe-Woodbury 55, Colonie 16 …. Cicero-N. Syracuse 30, West Genesee 27

8. Monroe-Woodbury 28, Pine Bush 16 …. *West Genesee 31, Henninger 6

9. *Monroe-Woodbury 42, Warwick 7 …. *West Genesee 34, Liverpool 14

10. *Monroe-Woodbury 35, Minisink Valley 28 …. *West Genesee 23, Cicero N. Syracuse 21

11. *Monroe-Woodbury 42, Troy LaSalle 20 …. *West Genesee 21, Union-Endicott 7

12. *Monroe-Woodbury 22, New Rochelle 16 …. *West Genesee 30, Orchard Park 27

* Playoff Game

Points Scored: Monroe-Woodbury - 455 (37.9 avg.), West Genesee - 303 (25.3 avg.)

Points Allowed: Monroe-Woodbury - 145 (12.1 avg.), West Genesee - 196 (16.3 avg.)

Avg. Playoff Points Scored: Monroe-Woodbury - 35.3, West Genesee - 27.8

Avg. Playoff Points Allowed: Monroe-Woodbury - 17.75, West Genesee - 15

WESTERN SEMI RECAP

Just before state-ranked #1 Monroe-Woodbury edged #3 New Rochelle in the Eastern Semi-Final last Saturday, West Genesee had slipped past Section Six’s Orchard Park, 30-27, in the Western Semi. Here’s a brief recap of that game:

Orchard Park got on the board first when Jeff Tundo scored on a 10-yard run early in the game. West Genny dominated the second quarter as QB Tim Moran found George Eunice and Ben Waldron for touchdown passes of 31 and 14 yards, respectively, to give the Wildcats a 14-7 lead. Luke Cometti added a 22-yard field goal late in the first half to make it a 17-7 lead at halftime. In the third quarter West Genny picked up right where it had left off when Moran hit Joe Fazio with a 25-yard TD pass to put WG up, 23-7. On the Wildcats’ next possession, Moran was picked off by Dave Michael, who returned it 8 yards for a TD to pull Orchard Park to within 10 at 23-13. Ryan McConnell scored on a 3-yard TD run to put West Genny up 30-13 in the 4th quarter, but the Quakers refused to give up. QB Kyle Hoppy found Jake Gurtler for a 17-yard TD pass, and Tundo added a 1-yard TD run late in the game to make it 30-27, but that was as close as the Quakers would get. Moran finished the night 25-31 passing for 284 yards and 3TDs with one pick, while Fazio caught 9 passes for 126 yards and a score. DE Dan Kolinski led the Wildcats defense with 7 tackles and 3 sacks. Tundo led the Quakers with 116 yards and 2 touchdowns on 23 carries. Orchard Park finishes the season at 11-1, while West Genesee (10-2) will face unbeaten Monroe-Woodbury for the state title Sunday.

KINGSTON - Monroe-Woodbury is headed for the Carrier Dome for the third straight year and will play for the state Class AA championship next Sunday. But earning the right to go wasn’t easy. Saturday night it was the Crusader defense which stepped up to make the big plays that turned defeat into victory late in the fourth quarter of the Eastern Semi-Final here at Dietz Stadium.

With the score tied at 14, New Rochelle punter Ivan Franco got off a 42-yard boot that was downed by the Section One champ Huguenots at the MW one. On first down cornerback Samad Wagstaff and linebacker Lou DiRienzo blitzed MW QB Dan Scalo and dropped him for a safety to give New Rochelle a 16-14 lead with 6:24 left in the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing free kick from the 20, the Crusaders’ Jaimie Boyle placekicked the football over the heads of the New Ro kick returners, one of whom (Paris Walker) tracked it down at the two and ran it back 14 yards to the NR 16. On third and five, NR’s soph QB Jonny McGhee scrambled for six and a first down. New Rochelle was then flagged for an illegal procedure.

Here with New Ro facing a first and 15, the MW defense turned up the heat, knowing that a couple of NR first downs would end the Crusaders’ season. First the purple “D” stuffed FB Tashiem Carney for no gain. Then McGhee tried to take matters into his own hands. Finding no receiver and under a heavy rush, he tried to scramble out of trouble but was instead gobbled up by DE Jon Green and sacked. On his way to the turf, McGee also lost the football which was recovered by MW freshman DT Josh Skowronski at the Huguenot 13. The worm had turned.

The Crusader offense was then quick to make up for an oft-frustrating night against a top-flight defense. FB Chris Boyce took the ball twice. His first carry was to the NR six. His second burst took him into the end zone with 2:36 left. Boyce got the call again and he and his offensive linemen plowed across the goal line for a two-point conversion and a 22-16 lead which would stand as the final score.

Walker had a nice return of the kickoff that ended inside MW territory, but an illegal block marched the pigskin back to the NR 32. On second and five, McGhee was sacked for a six-yard loss, once again by Green.  On fourth and 13, McGhee tried a mad scramble but the MW defense stopped him after he had picked up but two yards. The party was over for the previously unbeaten Huguenots (10-1) as Scalo genuflected to run out the clock.

Monroe-Woodbury had opened the scoring on its second possession of the game as Scalo directed the Cru on a seven-play, 76-yard drive. The drive saw the QB complete two passes to Nick Perez for gains of five and 35 yards. Scalo also carried three times for 22 yards, the final 12 for the TD at 5:36. In the series Boyce also ran once for four yards while Karl Ehlers carried for 10 on a jet sweep. Boyle kicked the PAT to make it 7-0.

New Rochelle answered right back on its subsequent second play from scrimmage with a 63-yard TD run by Walker. Franco’s PAT tied the game at the 4:38 mark.

Monroe-Woodbury next drove from its 19 to the New Rochelle 18 with a 48-yard Scalo-to-Ehlers pass and run being the big play. But the Huguenot defense held on a fourth and two. Then New Ro drove from its 18 to the Crusader 37 where MW similarly held on a fourth and two.

The Crusader offense then took the lead on an eight-play, 64-yard drive. A pair of Scalo passes (to Perez and Ehlers) picked up two first downs and moved the ball to the New Rochelle 36. Scalo darted across the field on a 24-yard run to put the ball at the 12. On the next play he ran right and rambled into the end zone with 4:27 left in the half. Boyle’s PAT made it 14-7.

After a short kickoff and 17-yard return to the NR 45, New Rochelle's offense threatened. McGhee’s pass to Tremayne Williams for a 16-yard gain plus a 15-yard run by Carney were the big plays as the Huguenots worked their way down to the MW five. But an illegal procedure and Green’s first of his three sacks of McGhee moved the line of scrimmage back to the 21. With time running out, McGhee finally got off a pass that fell incomplete and stopped the clock with three seconds left. But the half ended on a 38-yard field goal attempt by Franco that was wide right.

The Crusaders failed to cash in on a New Ro turnover on the second half’s third play. Mike Carpientieri recovered a McGhee fumble at the Huguenot 34, but four plays later Boyce was stopped inches shy of a first down at the NR 25.

New Rochelle then tied the game on a 75-yard drive that took 11 plays. Carney started things with a 23-yard run up the gut. Two plays later, McGhee’s 17-yard pass to Walker put the ball at the MW 30. A three-yard run by Markell Rice on a fourth and two put the ball at the 18. Two plays later McGhee hooked up with Rice for 16 yards to the two. Carney finally plowed in from the one at 4:26, and Franco converted.

Each team then drove well on its next drive but couldn’t score. Then came the punt that led to Scalo’s being sacked.

Offensively, the teams were almost dead even in net yardage. Monroe-Woodbury gained 289 yards to New Rochelle’s 273. Thanks to his long TD run, NR’s Walker was the game’s leading rusher with 116 yards on 16 carries. Scalo rushed 23 times for 104 yards while completing eight-of-12 passes for 125 yards.

For New Ro, Carney rushed seven times for 56 yards while Markell Rice carried 18 times for 53 yards. McGhee, sacked three times, was seven-for-(-)21 yards. In passing, he completed five-of-eight for 69 yards. Rice had two catches for 28 yards.

For the Crusaders Boyce lugged the football nine times for 46 yards while Ehlers was three-for-14 on the ground and caught two passes for 59 yards. Perez had five receptions for 56 yards while TE Green, who played both offense and defense, snagged one pass for 10.

Now the Crusaders (12-0) must prepare for Section Three’s West Genesee (10-2) which topped Section Six’s Orchard Park, 30-27, in the Western Semi-Final in Rochester. The Cru will meet a Section Three team in the Dome next Sunday (3 pm) for the second consecutive year in the championship game. Last year MW lost in OT by a point to Auburn. In 2005 MW won the state championship.

--- PHIL DUSENBURY

NYS CLASS AA EASTERN SEMI FINAL: MONROE-WOODBURY v. NEW ROCHELLE - 8 pm, Saturday, November 16 at Dietz Stadium. This is the third time in the last four years that these two teams have met in the state tournament. Last year Monroe-Woodbury defeated New Rochelle, 14-7, in a state quarterfinal game. The teams share one common opponent this season: North Rockland. The Crusaders defeated North Rockland on the road in week two, 31-10, while New Rochelle blanked North Rockland last week, 27-0, to win the Section One AA crown. Monroe-Woodbury comes into the game with an 11-0 record and the state’s #1 ranking, New Rochelle is 10-0 and is ranked #3 behind William Floyd of Long Island. Sections Eight and Eleven (Long Island) plus NYC do not participate in the state football tournament.

So far the Crusaders received their biggest challenge from Minisink Valley whom they defeated, 35-28, in the Section Nine AA title game. The only team to seriously challenge the ‘07 Huguenots so far has been John Jay Cross River which fell 23-22 in week two and 28-19 in a Section One semi-final two weeks ago.

THE NEW ROCHELLE OFFENSE comes into this game averaging 33.1 points per contest. The Huguenot “O” is led by a talented backfield that includes veteran running backs Paris Walker (5-7, 185 senior) and Markell Rice (6, 195 senior), Ray’s younger brother. Sophomore QB Jonny McGhee (5-10, 170) hasn’t thrown much this year, but he’s also a dangerous part of the New Ro ground game. Should McGhee toss a few, Samad Wagstaff (5-10, 160 senior) is an inviting target along with tight ends Andrew Bruzzese (6-2, 210 senior) and soph Lou DiRienzo (5-10, 190), the coach’s son. The offensive line is led by 6-4, 310-pound junior Ian Solomon, center C.J. Smith (5-11, 220 senior) and tackle Darryl Wood (5-10, 210 junior).

THE MONROE-WOODBURY DEFENSE was pushed around a bit the last two weeks by strong offenses from Minisink Valley and Troy LaSalle. So don’t be surprised if you see some adjustments this week with some of the offensive starters stepping out of the two-platoon system if necessary. Still, opponents (seven of which have been either state-ranked or state-honorable mentions this year) have averaged only 11.8 ppg against the Crusaders. MW has recorded two shutouts. DT George Dawoud (5-10, 240 senior), linebackers Kyle Milazzo (5-11, 185 senior), Mike Carpientieri (5-10, 180 senior) and DE Jon Green (6-2, 200 senior) have been the mainstays so far. Meanwhile the secondary improves each week.

THE MONROE-WOODBURY OFFENSE has evolved into an awesome force that has been pretty much able to move at will recently. Last week’s seven-play, 90-yard scoring drive against LaSalle, which took only one minute and 37 seconds of the 1:39 left on the second quarter clock, was a work of art. Precocious sophomore QB Danny Scalo (6-2, 190) runs the spread offense. His stats and skills are spread all over this site, so there’s no need to review them. In the backfield with him is bullish FB Chris Boyce (5-11, 225 senior), HB Karl Ehlers (5-10, 185 senior) and HB Zack Flood (5-9, 160 senior). Scalo’s primary passing target is SE Nick Perez (6-1, 187 senior) while Chris Crosby (5-7, 160 junior) is the other WR. Green will also play some TE. The all-senior Purple Steamroller offensive line that opens huge holes and offers airtight pass protection consists of RT Chris McHale (6-4, 320), RG Marco Scalia (6-1, 265), center Jared Bari (5-10, 240),LG Gabe Mendez (5-9, 260) and LT Mikhail Bencosme (6, 260). The Crusaders have scored 433 points (39.4 ppg) so far this season.

THE NEW ROCHELLE DEFENSE has recorded six shutouts this year while yielding only 69 points. It is led by an athletic defensive backfield of Walker, Rice, Wagstaff and Tremayne Williams who took the injured Malcolm Campbell’s safety spot last week and made the big first quarter interception and 98-yard return against North Rockland. Up front senior NG Rashad Cherry (5-9, 220) is the run-stopper while seniors Bruzzese and Dan Killoran (6-3, 245) guard the flanks. Senior Tashiem Carney (5-10, 200) and DiRienzo are solid LBs. How they contend with the spread could very well determine this game’s outcome.

IN THE KICKING GAME New Rochelle has dependable Ivan Franco who has made three-quarters of his PATS plus a couple of field goals. MW junior Jaimie Boyle has converted 59 of his 60 PATs and has also booted two field goals.