Shaky Start Ends in NYS Class A Regional Win for Somers
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
State-Ranked (No.1) Tuskers Reach Final 4, vs. Cornwall
By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays
Webster’s newest definition for a ‘wakeup call’ – #TongueInCheek – refers to Section 1 champion SOMERS’ 29-8 NYSPHSAA Class A title victory over Section 2 champion Averill Park Friday night at Shenendehowa High on the outskirts of Albany. Sure, the state-ranked (co-No.1) Tuskers pulled away in the second half for a comfy cushion, which enabled undefeated Somers (12-0) to advance to Friday’s 6:00 p.m. state semifinal against Section 9 champion Cornwall (11-1) at Middletown High School.
But Coach Anthony DeMatteo’s two-time reigning state champion Tuskers weren’t crisp from start to halftime, lagging behind 8-0 on the game’s initial drive. Somers then went three-and-out and Tusker QB Miguel Iglesias, who previously ripped off a 33-yard jaunt, then underthrew his receiver, leading to an A.P. interception.
The Tuskers looked like anything but themselves, and something had to change; both mentally and physically. In order to get back in the thick of things, an unpanicked Somers coaching staff turned to old faithful, a connection they’ve hooked up time and time again, twice in fact. After converting on third down, Iglesias, from the 11-yard line, rolled out and found All-NYS junior WR Dean Palazzolo in space, in the flats, where he scooted for a 12-yard score and a one-point, 8-7, deficit after a Kelly Gavin PAT at 5:53 of the second quarter.
A vast wasteland of missed opportunities now behind them, Somers never buckled again on either side of the ball despite the one-point halftime deficit.
“I think just coming together as a team more and fighting to get the win was really what woke us up and just getting that little momentum to get some confidence,” Palazzolo said.
The Tuskers went methodical on the Golden Knights (8-4), ranked No.21 in NYS, and, Iglesias, the Notre Dame-bound lax recruit, squirted through the slightest and, sometimes, vast creases in the A.P. defense to finish with two rushing TDs and and a pair of TD strikes. It starts and ends at quarterback, and Somers has been blessed with some sick athleticism, sensational skill sets and just plain drive; not to mention much, much more in recent state-champion signal callers, Matt Fitzsimons and Mac Sullivan along with the state-title thirsty Iglesias, who longs to tow the line of state champion signal callers.
Iglesias (9 of 16, 157 yards 2 TD passes; 11 carries, 114 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns) went to work in the second half, connecting with Palazzolo (6 grabs, 117 yards, 2 touchdown catches) for a 34-yard catch to the AP 37. Somers RB Mason Kelly (15 rushes, 62 yards.) got on track, too, taking 12 and 4-yard carries to the AP 16. Iglesias capped the drive with a 16-yard rushing TD, which he followed up with a 2-point conversion for a 15-8 lead the Tuskers would never relinquish. Somers proceeded to rip off 29 unanswered points, but the aforementioned lesson was earned: ol’ man Noah Webster was still dubbed it a wakeup call.
“Our coaches really did a good job cleaning things up with us in the locker room and starting the second half losing really just motivated us,” Iglesias said.
Somers senior captain and free safety Aiden Coolican roamed the prairie for a pair of second-half picks, the first of which led to a methodical 12-play Tusker drive, featuring a crucial third-down reverse pitch to Palazzolo, setting up first and goal for an Iglesias to score from five yards out for a 21-8 lead after a botched conversion at 5:44 of the fourth.
And just for good measure, Iglesias iced his cake by connecting with Palazzolo for a 69-yard catch and dash to paydirt at 3:07. Jackson Whipple snagged a two-point conversion from John Penzo for the final margin.
Defensively, the Tuskers were stingy, senior Aiden Coolican picked off a pair of passes, Bret Kennedy (2 solos, 6 assisted tackles), Ryan Brush (4 tackles) and Jaron Faulkner (4 solos, 7 assisted tackles) had their hats in the defensive fray all night long.
CHRIS SMAJLAJ PHOTOS
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.
