State-Ranked (No.6) Valhalla Runs Foisset to State Semis
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Vikings to Challenge No.7 Schuylerville for Berth in State Finals
By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays
Plagued by an otherwise slow start, state-ranked (No.6) Section 1 champion VALHALLA looked like it was going through the motions for much of the first half of Saturday’s NYSPHSAA Class C quarterfinal at James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls.
But the plan all along was to wear Section 9 champion Chester/Seward down before unleashing Viking sophomore RB Luke Foisett for 24 rushes, 126 yards and three touchdowns while sneaking in just enough of versatile senior RB Tyler Ratti (10 rushes, 107 yards) for some clutch, monster gains and another TD in the Vikings’ 31-7 win over the state-ranked (No.20) Hambletoians.
Valhalla (10-0) and will face Section 2 champion Schuylerville, ranked No.7 in NYS, Saturday, Nov. 30 (noon) at Middletown High School in the eastern regional finals with a berth to the state finals at the JMA Dome in Syracuse on the line. The winner will take on the western regional champion, either state-ranked (No.2) Section 4 champ Chenango Forks or top-ranked Section 6 champ Salamanca.
After a quarter century in the Yonkers schools system, Valhalla Coach Dan DeMatteo is in uncharted territory as a head coach, but he knows his dudes are ready to rep at the next level.
“These kids are a nightmare matchup,” DeMatteo said. “They are very physical and don’t back down.”
Still, for a half, Valhalla let the Hambletonians hang around, before a punishing ground game took full effect.
“Our team mentality is to take our opponents to ‘the deep end’,” Coach DeMatteo said. “They work very hard on their conditioning and do not panic when things get uncomfortable. I’m proud of their grit! My kids deserve this.”
Vikings Robbie Barbuto and Brady Teter both had critical INTS. Foisset, the offensive MVP, led the team with eight tackles from his LB position. Luca Cavallo had five tackles and one sack to pace the Viking D and K Keelan Mahon was 4/4 on PATs and added a key field goal.
Chester coach Ryan Stover told the Mid Hudson News, “It takes five seconds of film to realize they (Valhalla) have a fantastic team. They are really good, and look like a well-oiled machine.”
That machine will roll to Middletown next Saturday, in the hopes of reaching the state finals at the JMA Dome in Syracuse on Saturday, Dec. 7 (noon).
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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.
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