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Rye Duo Helps Defeat Somers 19–9

Rye Overcomes Fast Start by Somers

By Rich MonettiPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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After giving up 34 points to John Jay last week, Somers would gladly have taken a 19 spot against Rye in their follow up. The same goes for jumping out to a 9–0 lead after trailing the entire game last Friday. But following two crucial momentum-shifting turnovers, Somers could just not keep up with the crossfire between Rye Quarterback Declan Lavelle and his favorite target Matt Tepedino.

Rye did come out more a peashooter, though, and quickly punted in their first two possessions. The visitors also proved a little off kilter when Somers appeared hemmed in on the second punt.


A Fast Start for Somers

The ball coming to rest at the ten, the coverage team failed to make the touch. So TJ Deagan alertly picked up the ball and ran it to the Somers 25.

After a first down by FB Charlie Grindrod, the Tuskers were set up from their own 40. Somers QB Nicolas Maestri rolled right and handed off to Kevin Graber in motion. The senior found a little daylight on the cut back but seemed contained among the sea of jerseys at midfield.

A nice gain clearly had the Tuskers off to a good start and gave the Somers student body a chance to exhale. That is until Graber had the kids gasping and suddenly emerged on the sideline in front of them. Cutting back inside and refusing to go down, the FB shook off what was left of the Rye side and scooted into the end zone at 5:12 of the first.

Following the extra point, Rye suffered another special teams miscue. The return man forgot that the ball was live, and the scramble left Rye on the five.

Lavelle was ready to fire nonetheless. But his favorite receiver wasn’t clicking his cylinders just yet. Tepedino suffered a drop at the 15, and Lavelle was sacked in the end zone on the next play by Joseph Calendrucci.

Rye Takes the Momentum

At 9–0, the stampede looked as if it was on. But after runs by Jack Kaiser and Balancia gave Somers a third and five at the Rye 24, the Tusker passing game began the night’s long descent. Maestri’s far sideline pass to the goal line was picked off by Quinn Kelly, and Rye’s nonstop to the finish line lifted off.

Quinn returning to the Somers 44, Lavelle and Tepedino got themselves in step. A screen to the far sideline yielded nine yards, and Lavelle converted the third and one to the Somers 41.

On the march, Lavelle and Tepedino played pitcher, catcher again. A 35-yard pass to the Somers five set up Lavelle for the keeper, and Rye trailed 9–6 with 19 seconds left in the first.

Exchanging possessions, Somers didn’t deter when they were grounded inside the ten. Balancia first went pound and carried the pile to the 18. Following a six yard run by Kaiser, Balancia next went fleet of foot, and 18 more yards had Somers across the 40.

Unfortunately, Somers went airborne on a first and ten from the Rye 43, and the Garnets crashed the Somers drive on Jackson Kossow’s sideline pass.

The Tuskers seemed to catch a break when another Lavelle, Tepedino connection got Rye to the Somers 20, but holding nullified the gain. Pushed back, the duo simply pulled a double take on their hosts. Another Tepedino reception placed the Garnets with a first down at the 31.

However, the Rye attack was not exclusive, and could certainly see other people. Lavelle hit Quinn Kelly on a screen, and he broke several tackles to the five.

Brendan Lavelle kept in the family and showed that Rye could pound the ground too. He ran over Scott Weinecke but was knocked out at the one by Graber.

Somers then stopped Lavelle on the keeper and forced a fourth down sideline pass. Steven Lawrence was perfectly positioned for the pick-six, but the ball slipped through his hands.

Somers seemed glad to settle for the change of possession. The relief didn’t last long, though.

Three plays later Somers punted and 89 seconds proved plenty for Rye. A personal foul put Rye at the 25, and pass plays to Ellis Tucci and Tepedino, set Lavelle up for another keeper.

Second Half Somers Offense Stalls

Trailing 13–9 at the half, Somers was well within reach and seemed at arm’s length as Nick Rossi took the opening kickoff to the Tusker 45. But despite the bullish running of Kaiser that got the Tuskers across midfield, the drive stalled.

The pattern mostly followed for the remainder of the game. The Somers defense still hung tough, nonetheless

The Tuskers seemed sunk as Lavelle rolled right at the Tusker 35 and hit Tepedino on the run at the 15. But a sack by Calandrucci and Max Germaine forced Rye into a missed field goal.

Somers real last chance came after Maestri scrambled 14 yards on a third and 15 from the Somers forty. Balancia took the hand-off in motion, and when realizing he couldn't turn the corner, his cut inside went nowhere.

The game was finally put out of reach as Rye opted out of another goal-line stand. Following a four-yard loss at the three, Lavelle faked the handoff and found Brian Ropp wide open for the game’s final score with 1:38 remaining.

For Video Slideshow please go to Westchester Photography

If you’d like a sports profile or general profile, game coverage at any level and/or photos, please contact me on Facebook at 914 318-0997 or [email protected]

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About the Creator

Rich Monetti

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