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GameChanger

Jack Howe’s T wo Early TouchdownsCarr y Pleasant ville Past the Wildcats

September 26 - October 2, 2017 The ExaminerS-2

By Andy JacobsAny doubt that Pleasantville’s Jack

Howe has fully recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered in last spring’s lacrosse playoffs was erased in the first quarter of Saturday’s midseason showdown against rival Westlake.

The Panthers’ junior quarterback ran for a pair of long touchdowns in the opening period, paving the way to a 28-12 victory over the host Wildcats in a highly anticipated clash between the two unbeaten teams.

“We’ve been reluctant to run the ball with Jack up to this point,” said Panthers head coach Tony Becerra following his team’s biggest win of the season so far. “I told him we’re gonna have to start doing that a little bit more. And he was up to the task. He didn’t shy away from it. That’s the Jack Howe we all remember from last year.”

Howe’s early touchdown runs of 34 and 38 yards, along with his ensuing PAT kicks, gave Pleasantville an early 14-0 lead that left the Wildcats playing from behind the rest of the way. When Westlake star Rob DiNota bolted 60 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage in the third quarter to bring the Wildcats within two points, the Panthers responded by blanking them

over the game’s final 23 minutes.“Yeah, it’s definitely big momentum

for us winning a game during the regular season, but I know the next time we see ‘em we’re gonna get the best from them,” said Howe, who also connected with Cullen Dell on a game-clinching seven-yard touchdown pass with two and a half minutes to go. “Honestly, I hope we see them. It’s always a fun time seeing them during the season, especially at the end of the season and the postseason.”

Under a cloudless blue sky, it was Howe who put an emphatic end to the initial drive of the afternoon by scampering 34 yards to get the Panthers on the scoreboard just a couple of minutes after the opening kickoff. The Wildcats, also 3-0 entering the game, quickly went three-and-out and, soon after, found themselves facing a 14-0 deficit.

That’s because Howe got loose again on a third-and-long play and scampered 38 yards to the end zone to cap an 89-yard drive. With just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Panthers had built a 14-0 cushion. But early in the second period, Westlake’s

Stephen Simone picked off a Howe pass, setting the Wildcats up at the Panther 34-yard line.

Seven plays later, DiNota rolled to his left and tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Grossman. The extra-point try by DiNota was blocked, but the Wildcats were still suddenly within 14-6. Late in the half, Westlake moved the ball 65 yards before a costly holding penalty on fourth down ended the drive down by the goal line.

Still, the Wildcats gave Becerra and the Wildcats plenty to worry about when the second half began with DiNota, on second and 10, getting to the edge and then scampering 60 yards down the left sideline to cut the Pleasantville lead to 14-12. But that’s as close as Westlake would

get. For the second time, the Panthers blocked DiNota’s PAT attempt.

Afterwards, Wildcats coach John Castellano had no misgivings that he hadn’t instead tried for two points after DiNota’s electrifying run.

“Listen, when we scored to start the second half to make it 14-12, you don’t chase two points that early,” he said. “You know, end of the third quarter, end of the fourth quarter, then you try to tie it up. But there was plenty of football left. I’m not gonna chase two there. We’ve got to do a better job of blocking on the extra point. We were 6 for 6 there last week. So I’ve got to look at the film. I don’t know where the breakdown was, but we didn’t do a very good job.”

Even without the extra points, the Wildcats were poised to grab the lead when they soon forced Pleasantville into a three-and-out series and took possession of the ball. But Westlake couldn’t move it either and was also forced to punt. With 6:50 left in the third quarter, P’ville had the ball at its own 29-yard line.

the panthers’ charlie Mcphee carries the football in the fourth quarter of saturday afternoon’s showdown against Westlake.

pleasantville quarterback Jack howe hits the brakes as he waits for a block from teammate charlie Mcphee in saturday’s game.

pleasantville’s cullen dell scores on a seven-yard td reception to seal the panthers’ win over host Westlake.

nicholas Martinez of Westlake returns a kick during saturday’s game.

Westlake running back thomas Iazzetta carries the ball during saturday’s battle with pleasantville.

Westlake senior quarterback Rob dinota tries to pick up a few extra yards as he runs with the football vs. the visiting panthers.

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Howe’s Two Early TDs Lead the Panthers Past Westlake

September 26 - October 2, 2017www.TheExaminerNews.com S-3

After a first-down penalty, the Panthers would wind up using over seven minutes of the clock while driving 80 yards on 14 plays. Charlie McPhee, who rushed for 121 yards on 22 carries, wound up running four yards off right tackle for the touchdown, but it was Howe’s 15-yard jaunt on third and 12 early in the drive that doomed the Wildcats.

“The problem was we couldn’t get off the field on third down,” said a disappointed Castellano. “They must’ve had eight or nine third-down conversions of double digits or more. Hey, when you’re third and 18 and you can’t get off the field or you’re third and 12 and you can’t get off the field, that just extends the drive. They should be punting the ball to us. We did a terrible job in third-down defense.”

So 30 seconds into the final quarter,

McPhee’s touchdown stretched the Pleasantville lead to 21-12. DiNota soon paid a painful price on third and 14 when he tried to soar over the Panthers’ Nick Salzarulo along the right sideline and wound up slamming to the ground like an out-of-control helicopter.

A 55-yard TD run by McPhee on a double reverse was called back due to a holding penalty with seven minutes remaining, keeping the Westlake comeback hopes alive. With Becerra imploring his players, ‘Don’t let them off the hook,” the Panthers quickly stopped the desperate Wildcats on fourth down and took possession of the ball with just over five minutes to go.

It took them seven plays to go 30 yards for the clinching touchdown, Howe’s seven-yard pass to Dell on fourth and goal with 2:38 on the clock. The final indignity for the Wildcats came when a DiNota pass to the end zone in the final minute was picked off by James Daniele.

“There was a big crowd here, a lot of pressure,” said the Panthers’ Howe. “We like to perform under pressure. It was a lot of fun.”

For the Wildcats’ Castellano, there was the one pivotal series that might have put an end to his team’s hopes of an undefeated regular season.

“We scored and we got ‘em on third and 12 on the next drive,” he said. “And Howe escapes and gets the first down and extends that drive. At 14-12, if we stop ‘em on third and 12 and they’re punting back to us, to me, that was the turning point of the game.”

Becerra knows that Saturday’s clash between the last two Section One, Class B champions created a lot of excitement, but he tried to maintain a sense of normalcy for his players.

“We try not to get too caught up in that,” he said. “I know it’s a big game in

everyone’s eyes stemming from last year. But we’re a team trying to improve and that’s what we were looking to do this week. That really was the main focus for us — just improving ourselves regardless of who the opponent would be for Week

Four.”“They’re a very good football team,

well-coached,” said Castellano about the Panthers. “Tony does a great job with them, they’re very disciplined. They deserve to be where they’re at. They’re good. I haven’t beaten ‘em yet. I’ve got six losses at Westlake and I think four of them are to Tony.”

the Wildcats’ Rob dinota breaks a tackle on his way to a 60-yard touchdown run at the start of the third quarter.

pleasantville fullback nick salzarulo gets past the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter of saturday’s game.

the panthers’ Jared Wilens cuts across the field as he runs with the ball in the 28-12 win over Westlake.

Westlake junior back Andrew debiase is wrapped up by the pleasantville defense as he carries the football in saturday’s game.

panther quarterback Jack howe throws long during the 28-12 victory at Westlake.

Andy JAcobs photos

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Howe’s Two Early TDs Lead the Panthers Past Westlake

September 26 - October 2, 2017 The ExaminerS-4

By Danny LoprioreHomecoming Day at Fox Lane was

filled with color, memories, honors and festivities spoiled only by a 28-14 loss to visiting Port Chester.

The Rams (3-1) exploded for four touchdowns after a scoreless first quarter and forged a 28-0 lead before the Foxes mounted a comeback that drew them to within 28-14 in the fourth quarter.

Fox Lane (2-2), which had won its two previous games, played well defensively for most of the game, but Port Chester showed its team speed by scoring on two touchdown runs of 72 and 74 yards and a 72-yard punt return.

“We felt we had the advantage in speed and our backs kept pushing until they got some space,” Port Chester head coach Paul Santavicca said. “Fox Lane has a talented team. We wanted to stop their running back Andrew Brown and the defense did a good job of that. It was a battle on the offensive and defensive lines.”

Port Chester running back Jason Wiley scored on an 8-yard run to open the scoring, then raced 72 yards with a punt return for a 13-0 lead. Backfield mate Jordan Lewis raced 74 yards to run the score to 21-0 at halftime.

“Both teams played good defense early on, but we know when we get the chance at the open field we can use our speed,” Lewis said. “Jason’s punt return got us going and then we let down in the third quarter. We have to stay focused for four quarters.

Down 28-0 after Wiley ran to pay dirt from 72 yards away in the third quarter,

the Foxes rallied after Marcial Vasquez intercepted a Port Chester pass at the Rams’ 27-yard line. Fox Lane quarterback Matt Bodine hit receiver Josh Olsen for an 8-yard score to make it 28-7.

Bodine, who completed 14 of 20 passes for 185 yards and two scores, got another chance after defensive lineman Danny McKinnon recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter to stop a Rams drive. Bodine hit Olsen in the end zone on a long lead pass from 29 yards away to cut the lead to 28-14.

Fox Lane had two more possessions, but failed to capitalize as the Rams held on.

Three former students, coaches and teachers were inducted into the Fox Lane Hall of Fame during the halftime

ceremony. Tom Nicosia, Class of 1960, a three-sport athlete; Peg Mimno, cross country and golf coach from 1975-1987; and Barbara Zatarga, the Secretary for Health, Physical Education and Athletics, were each honored and installed into the Hall of Fame.

The Foxes will try to get back on the winning track when they host neighboring rival Horace Greeley Thursday, September 28 at 6 p.m.

the Fox Lane defense gangs up to make a tackle during saturday’s home game vs. the port chester Rams.

With the big homecoming crowd looking on, the Fox Lane defense chases port chester’s Jordan Lewis in saturday’s game.

Fox Lane’s Joshua olsen battles for control of the football with port chester’s carlyle taylor close to the sideline.

Fox Lane junior quarterback Matt bodine runs with the football in saturday’s homecoming game vs. port chester.

A huge homecoming crowd looks on as the Fox Lane football team plays port chester at Memorial stadium on saturday afternoon.

Fox Lane Comeback Falls Short in Homecoming Loss

F U T U R E S TA R !

James McGinty of the broncos in the chappaqua Flag Football League runs for a 50-yard touchdown during halftime of saturday night’s high school game between the Greeley Quakers and Ketcham Indians.

nEIL sEREndEnsKy photos

September 26 - October 2, 2017www.TheExaminerNews.com S-5

By Andy JacobsIt wasn’t quite an eternity, but the

Horace Greeley football team sure had to wait a while before finally hosting its first night game back in early September.

The Quakers have now played twice under the lights on their brand new turf field, but they’ll have to wait a little bit longer to know what it feels like to win at home after dark.

That’s because Roy C. Ketcham quarterback Tim Cipollini ran for two touchdowns and threw for another Saturday night as the visiting Indians defeated Greeley 27-7. Cipollini’s 21-yard TD run five minutes into the second quarter broke a scoreless tie and helped RCK take command in a battle between two teams still in search of their initial victory of the 2017 season.

“You know what, the lights are a lot of fun,” said new Quakers head coach Joe Kearns shortly after the first night football game at Greeley under his command had come to an end. “The addition of the lights has been really, really cool and it’s pretty special. We waited a long time for it and it’s exciting. And it’s gonna be even more exciting when we start getting some ‘W’s out here.”

Kearns, now in charge of the Quakers after the sudden resignation of Tim Sullivan less than two weeks ago, watched an even first quarter in which both teams moved the ball past midfield on their opening possession before their drives stalled. But on the final play of the period, Greeley punted the ball away to set the stage for RCK to begin an eight-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Cipollini racing along the right sideline on third and 16 for his 21-yard touchdown.

The point-after try was wide, so the Indians had to settle for a six-point lead. But less than four minutes later, they blocked a Greeley punt and Matt Brennan picked up the ball and scampered into the

end zone for another touchdown. With the extra point, RCK suddenly had a 13-0 cushion.

Greeley marched the ball down the field on a nine-play drive in the waning moments of the first half, but Ketcham finally took over on downs at its own 24-yard line after a Ryan Flanagan completion to Matt Nagler on fourth and seven left the Quakers still a couple of yards short.

After the Quakers were forced to punt on the first possession of the third quarter, RCK all but sealed the outcome by chewing up six and a half minutes of the clock and going 81 yards in 11 plays, capped off by Cipollini’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Nick Nevins. With the point-after, Ketcham took a 20-0 lead as the teams headed to the fourth quarter.

Ketcham scored again with exactly four minutes remaining as Cipollini concluded another time-consuming drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. The Quakers finally got on the scoreboard on their final possession of the evening as Flanagan moved the team with his arm and his legs, eventually finding the end zone with a 24-yard dash right up the middle with 1:09 left on the clock.

Despite the loss, Kearns had nothing but praise for Flanagan, his senior signal caller.

“Ryan is one of the most prideful kids we’ve ever coached here,” he said. “When

your quarterback, one of your best players, is your hardest worker it’s a good thing. Nobody outworks him. We have a couple kids maybe tied, but nobody outworks Ryan. So every time he does something well, I’m happy for him. And he holds himself accountable for everything he does.”

Even though the Quakers are now 0-4, Kearns is savoring every moment in his new, expanded role.

“I’m having a great time,” he said. “I’m having so much fun with these kids. Their compete level is so high, the execution is getting better and I’m really enjoying it. I’m going to enjoy it a whole lot more when we get a couple of wins.”

The Quakers finish their regular season with night games at Fox Lane and Ossining, but Kearns is hopeful they’ll soon experience the same feeling Ketcham had when time expired in Saturday’s game.

“Ketcham worked real hard for that win and we made ‘em work real hard for that win,” he said. “We’re gonna have our day too. I’m happy for them (the Indians)

that they got their ‘W’ and they worked hard for that. And, you know what, we’re gonna have that day too where we get to have a group huddle after a game and we get to really yell and scream and cheer for each other because our day’s coming. Our day’s coming.”

Greeley wide receiver Andreas savvides turns upfield after making a catch vs. visiting RcK.

new Greeley head coach Joe Kearns watches his Quakers in the fourth quarter vs. the Ketcham Indians.

horace Greeley junior defensive back Jacob Rose makes a diving attempt to try to intercept a pass during saturday evening’s Quaker home game.

Greeley quarterback Ryan Flanagan leaves RcK’s James Kutz behind as he runs with the ball in saturday night’s game.

the Quaker defense gangs up to bring down Ketcham back Jyaire stevens in the first half of saturday’s game, won by the visiting Indians.

Quakers Still Searching for Their First Victory

the Quakers’ Matt nagler returns a kick in saturday’s game against Ketcham.

Andy JAcobs photos

September 26 - October 2, 2017 The ExaminerS-6

SPORTS SCENE

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horace Greeley’s Maddie panzer gets ready to send a shot on goal during last tuesday’s win over ossining.

sammi Forster of Greeley races for the ball with ossining’s Isabella Ippoliti in last tuesday’s game, won by the host Quakers.

Adrian Rippstein moves the ball past midfield in pleasantville’s win over the host haldane blue devils. Luke scopino surveys the field as he controls the

ball in the second half of last Wednesday’s game.

Ellie shepardson scores her second goal of the second half in horace Greeley’s 5-0 win over ossining last week.

Morgan Imberman of Greeley controls the ball during the Quakers’ 5-0 victory over visiting ossining.

Greeley’s Jordan troob dribbles the ball up the field in the second half of last tuesday’s home game.

Greeley’s Genevieve Metcalf passes the ball during last tuesday’s home game.

the panthers’ thomas Merritts controls the ball near midfield in the 3-2 victory over haldane last Wednesday.

pleasantville’s devin Juros prepares to pass the ball to a teammate in the 3-2 panther win at haldane.

Zach braverman of pleasantville dribbles up the field in last week’s road win vs. haldane.

pleasantville’s Marc Kyriakidis scores a second-half goal in the panthers’ come-from-behind 3-2 win over haldane last Wednesday afternoon.

September 26 - October 2, 2017www.TheExaminerNews.com S-7

pace University’s Robyn seward (center) battles for possession with stonehill’s Isabella collentro as setter teammate Gabby Lucas looks on in saturday’s game. the setters’ Victoria Kealy sends the ball past stonehill goalie Kaitlin brown but wide of the net in the

second half of saturday’s game.

pace University freshman Grace Incledon takes the ball past stonehill’s taylor shannahan along the left sideline late saturday afternoon.

pace University freshman Gabby Lucas pursues the ball late in the second half of saturday’s 2-0 home victory.

the setters’ Annabella campagna gets set to pass the ball in the second half of saturday afternoon’s home win.

Mackenzie Green moves the ball past midfield during pace’s home game vs. the stonehill skyhawks.

Emma sinanan, who scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season, maneuvers around stonehill’s Madalyn Fernbach in pace’s 2-0 win over the skyhawks.

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P a c eWomen’s Soccer

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