Grid Notebook
Both visiting Somers and Yorktown High packed Charlie Murphy Field last Friday in anticipation of the near-annual showdown between coach Tony DeMatteo’s Tuskers, who had limped out of the gate with a 1-2 start, and Coach Mike Rescigno’s defending Section 1 Class A champion Huskers, who were off and running at 3-0 while celebrating it homecoming day.
The game was going according to Yorktown’s blueprint when, suddenly, with the Huskers racing out to a 21-7 lead, the game went off-script and Somers (2-2) scored 28 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 35-21 non-league triumph over the 2017 NYS runner-up Huskers (3-1).
Somers HB Charlie Balancia and burly FB Jack Kaiser rush 38 times between them behind a dominant offensive line for 363 yards and five touchdowns, Kaiser plowing and endowing for four scores. Balancia, just a junior, had a game-high 198 yards and another score.
Butterflies had consumed Somers throughout the first half, but once the nerves settled, the Tuskers went to work behind an offensive line – including John Squitieri, Dom Cheek, Mac Joyce, Joe Griffith, Joe Calandrucci and Liam O’Loughlin – that opened gaping holes for a barrage of Somers backs.
“We finally got all of our nerves out in the second half and got a huge swing of momentum before the half (when Kaiser got the Tuskers on the board),” Balancia said. “Our O-line blocked perfectly, and it was just up to all of the backs running the ball in our offense to read the blocks and hit the holes hard. We worked hard all week. This was the single most important game to us all year, especially at their homecoming. Everyone contributed and it payed off big time.”
When Yorktown QB Tommy Weaver scrambled before uncorking a 40-yard TD strike to TE Naim Sinanaj for a 21-7 lead in the opening minutes of the second half, the Huskers were rolling: Until #KaiserRoll got buttered up. Kaiser (165 yards on 23 carries) punctuated a methodical 80-yard drive with a one-yard dip to paydirt. Trailing 21-14, Somers stole momentum and began to pile on when Kaiser went 62 yards in the final minute of the third quarter and tied the score at 21-all when steady K Kevin Graber hit the PAT (Grabber, a weapon, was 5-5 on PATs and habitually pinned Somers at the 20 on kick-offs).
It took two Huskers to catch Balancia from behind when he busted off a 71-yard jaunt, which set up another Kaiser touchdown and a 28-21 Somers lead with 8:17 to play. Balancia finished the scoring moments later from 22 yards out, as Coach DeMatteo, the legendary ringleader of the elephants, reveled with Tusker Nation.
Weaver completed seven passes for 140 yards and rushed seven times for 70 yards while Smith had a two short touchdown runs for Yorktown, but the Huskers could never get in rhythm offensively in the second half.
Next up for Yorktown, which was ranked No.27 in NYS coming in, is a Friday (7 pm) visit from state-ranked (No.14) Our Lady of Lourdes, a daunting task indeed.
Somers will visit Brewster Friday (7 pm).
BREWSTER (3-1) came back down to earth in a 36-7 setback to undefeated John Jay (4-0), who saw QB Bryce Ford go for a combined 431 yards, resulting in four TDs passing and running. The Bears had no answer.
HEN HUD (1-3) finally reached the win column in a 40-6 trouncing of LAKELAND (0-4) when Sailor WR Donte White scored three TDs in all phases, one receiving, one rushing and one on a 60-yard punt return. The Sailors will visit a struggling Fox Lane outfit Friday (7 pm) while the Hornets visit rival WALTER PANAS (1-3), a 49-7 loser to Lourdes, Friday (7 pm).
CLASS AA
CARMEL (3-1) made short work of visiting North Rockland in a 27-0 Homecoming Day rout, pitching its third shutout of the season and setting up a Week 5 showdown with undefeated, state-ranked (No.30) John Jay EF.
Carmel RB Sam Duke had his way. The senior rushed 20 times for 107 yards and a touchdown and was a menace on defense. Ram QB Peyton Cayea was serving up an aerial show, dispensing TD passes to Chris Jordan and Will Boalt and finding his favorite target Joe Mascetta for 53 yards on five completions. James Cox capped the scoring with a 30-yard scoot to paydirt.
Duke, and many other throughout the section, believe the Rams are just starting to scratch the surface.
“I totally agree,” Duke said. “I believe that as a good as we are doing now we are nowhere near our full potential yet. Our defense has been looking very strong, but I believe as we get later in the season our offense will be feared. We have a huge test this week against Jay and I think this game will help set the tone for the rest of the season. I know our coaches will have us ready and we will just put our pads on, keep our hands down and play football.”
The Rams also stormed the field in fancy fashion, flashing 50 American flags before a raucous SRO crowd, something that gives goosebumps to many in the community.
“It’s an amazing feeling, but sad thinking this is my last year,” Duke admitted. “As a team, we are very thankful for everyone who has served and sacrificed their life for this great country.”
Carmel just gets it!…
MAHOPAC probably suffered its worst loss in the second-season Dom DeMatteo era, falling 23-21 at home against RCK, on a fourth-quarter safety no less. There were bright spots but the loss triggers dread when it comes to playoff potential during a rough 1-3 start. QB Anthony Corrado threw for a TD pass to Rheal Allen and rushed for another score and 155 yards on 10 carries. Indian RB Tim Cegielski rushed for 141 yards and a score on just 15 carries. The Indians will host Ramapo this Friday (7 pm) while Mahopac recognizes the 30-year anniversary of the undefeated 1988 bowl champions.
CLASS B
PUTNAM VALLEY (1-3) saw the cream of the crop in a 48-14 loss to state-ranked (No.7) Ardsley. The Tigers will host reigning Section 1 champion Pleasantville Saturday (6 pm). With no J.V. program to speak of, the Tigers are headed into a pivotal rebuilding situation that could take some time…
CLASS D
HALDANE (2-1) made short work of Section 9’s Onteora when RB Sam Giachinta mashed for four touchdowns and 130 yards on just 14 attempts. Brad Dowd snagged a 39-yard TD catch from QB Daniel Santos…
CHSAA
KENNEDY CATHOLIC (3-0) routed St. Dominic’s (Long Island), 35-0, for the second time this season when Myles Proctor went for 215 yards and three scores on just nine carries. Seth Surrett (4 carries, 45 yards &12 yard TD catch), Ryan Johnson (2-5, 25 yards, TD), Eric Volpi (7-yard TD grab), Tyler Outhouse (2 catches, 57 yards) and Kieran Meyer (TD) were prominent figures in the offense while Brandon Gibson (INT), Cole Esposito (12 tackles, 1 sack) and Wyatt Rumpf (10 tackles, 1 sack) led a ferocious defense.
The Gaels visit Cardinal Spellman this week with a strong chance to improve to 4-0. Spellman barely beat St. Dom’s, 7-0, but the Gaels can ill-afford to look past a Spellman outfit that defeated Kennedy twice last year, including a season-ending 16-14 NYCHSFL playoff loss to the eventual Class A champs. You know what they say about payback.
Ray has 33 years experience covering and photographing local sports in Westchester and Putnam counties, including everything from Little League/Travel Baseball to varsity high school prep sports and collegiate coverage. He has been a sports editor at Examiner Media since its inception in 2007.
Visit Ray’s author bio page for more details. Also read Ray’s archived work here and his Direct Rays column here.
