Falcons’ season comes to an end in Class C state quarterfinal, as Millbrook rolls to 42-23 win

By Skip Pearlman

Coach Mike Meade and his Woodlands Falcons football team knew they would be in for a battle in Saturday’s Class C regional game against Section 9 champion Millbrook.

And the Blazers were all they promised to be – and more – moving up and down the field like a well-oiled machine, on their way to a 42-23 victory in the NYS quarterfinal at Mahopac High School.

Millbrook advances to the state semifinal next weekend, with the winner moving on to the state championship game on Thanksgiving weekend.

Woodlands closed a roller coaster season at 4-5.

The Blazers set the tone on the game’s first possession, marching down the field and capping the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run from star running back Michael DoCarmo, who blistered the Falcons defense for an astounding 336 yards rushing and equally amazing seven touchdowns – six rushing and one receiving.

Woodlands took advantage of a rare Blazers mistake early, as the Falcons’ Omar DeBerry recovered a fumble by Millbrook QB Chris Ross, giving Woodlands possession at the Millbrook six.

Woodlands’ Jon Stewart gave the Falcons a one-yard TD run moments later, and Myles Thigpen found Rashad Baker for a two-point conversion and an 8-6 lead with 25 seconds left in the first.

But the second quarter is where the game got away from Woodlands.

DoCarmo found a hole in the defense and accelerated 54 yards for a TD 12 seconds into the quarter for a 12-8 lead. And the Blazers really turned the momentum by recovering the ensuing onsides kick, and quickly striking again – this time on a seven-yard TD run by DoCarmo.

After a three-and-out by Woodlands, the Blazers went to work again, and with 2:56 left in the half Ross found DoCarmo with a 25-yard TD pass that made it a 24-8 game. Two plays into Woodlands’ next possession, Thigpen threw an interception, and that set up Millbrook’s final score of the half – a three-yard TD rumble by DoCarmo to make it a 30-8 game at the break.

Millbrook (8-2) scored again 2:00 into the fourth on another three-yard TD run by DoCarmo for a 36-8 lead. Thigpen ran for a seven-yard TD halfway through the third, but DoCarmo struck again on Millbrook’s next play – breaking free for a 35-yard TD scamper, good for a 42-15 advantage.

Thigpen ran for a one-yard TD for Woodlands’ final score.

When the smoke had settled, heartbreak set in for the Falcons – who have never gotten past this round of the state playoffs. Woodlands reach the same round two years ago and also lost.

“We had trouble making tackles,” Stewart, a Falcons captain, said moments after the loss. “We didn’t expect them to be that good… but if we had come out early like we played late, maybe we could have done better. The way they are disciplined, and the way they carry themselves was impressive.”

Stewart said the players wanted to make school history by getting to the next round, at the very least.

“Our seniors know how it feels to lose here,” he said. “Two years ago we did the same thing… we said we didn’t want to let it happen again. We were one game from playing for the state final – we (the seniors) won’t see that again. A lot of people said we wouldn’t be good again, after losing the seniors from last year’s team. That gave us motivation… we looked forward to this week. It’s good to be here, but we wanted to make history.”

Meade said the team knew what was coming with DoCarmo and the Blazers.

“We knew about him,” the coach said. “And we had the right plan… but he just bounced off people… there’s not much you can do. But I’m proud of the kids for what they accomplished. We played them even in the second half, we moved the ball… but it was too late. The key was to keep their offense off the field – and we didn’t do that. With that onsides kick the momentum really started to change… but you create momentum. But I’m proud of them – as proud as I’ve been of any team I’ve coached. They overcame adversity three weeks ago – and beat Bronxville, and then Rye Neck. So it was great to get here, but we haven’t got past this round, we would have liked to keep going.”