Tigers Double-up Ramapo 44-22 for an Impressive Win
Last Friday, besides Glenmour Osbourne, who is consistently remarkable, what was most impressive about the White Plains High School, 44-22, win over Ramapo High School was the improvement of their Offensive Line.
Tigers Head Coach Mike Lindberg’s gamble to move fullback Daryl Davis to right-guard seemed to stimulate the offensive line. In the first half they plowed forward to help the Tigers gain 273 total offensive-yards. “We have really been focusing individual time with the O-Line and doing a lot of drills about getting off the ball. The line just got off the ball really well today,” commented Lindberg.
The Tigers offensive line literally pushed the Gryphon’s defensive line down the field in the first quarter. They powered their way over the goal line followed by fullback Angel Rivera, who scored the go ahead touchdown to make the score 16-14.
“We just came to practice everyday and worked hard. We have to be working as one unit and then we just do what we do,” commented Tigers senior center Andrew Sandberg, who is the anchor of the offensive line.
Gryphon running back Lorenzo Henderson opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing kickoff Osbourne broke-out of the gate like a Grade 1 Stakes Thoroughbred and galloped 93 yards for a touchdown.
Osbourne rushed for 193 yards on 18 carries in the first half, including a 55-yard run for a TD in the second quarter to make the score 32-14. Before the first-half ended quarterback Thomas Pace hit tight-end Anthony Russo with a 25-yard touchdown pass and the Tigers led 38-14 at the half.
Considering the pending blowout, Lindberg rested his ace runner in the fourth quarter. Osbourne only worked one more carry in the third quarter and finished the game with 19 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tigers offense has also shown some progress since Pace became eligible to play starting at the Mt. Vernon game a couple of weeks ago. Pace behind the center adds leadership to the offense and an option for the passing game. “Just come out and practice everyday, hard work pays off,” commented Pace.
Another bright spot for the Tigers was with the big lead in the game, junior running back Damell Newbey got the opportunity to display his talents. Newbey carried six times and gained 51 yards. Rivera finished the game with nine carries for 60 yards and one TD.
“It was a good win. We needed it really badly. The team came together and we got a big win,” stated Osbourne, who is definitely an All-Section candidate this year.
Tigers Raise Awareness and Pay Tribute to Nancy Heffernan
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Tigers paid tribute to senior wide receiver Dennis Heffernan’s mother Nancy for her gallant personal fight against the disease.
Nancy Heffernan was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this year. The Tigers had Heffernan, who is progressing in her fight against the deadly disease come to the field for a pregame ceremony and place a pink ribbon on her son’s helmet before the game.
“This was definitely a surprise for me,” said Nancy Heffernan on the field. “I am done with my Chemotherapy and my hair is coming back. I have one other drug that I have to take for a year but I am fine,” she smiled.
Kevin Heffernan, who is Nancy’s husband and Dennis’s father, has been a White Plains Firefighter for 30 years. Each year the White Plains Firefighters print pink T-shirts inscribed, “White Plains Firefighters Fighting for a Cure.” Heffernan wore the T- shirt proudly during the game.
The WPFD sells the T-shirts for $20.00 each to benefit Sole Ryeders, an organization based in Rye, which helps in the fight against breast cancer. “It is really great organization, they helped my wife when she was diagnosed,” said Kevin.
The WPFD will have a table set-up selling the pink T-Shirts inscribed, “White Plains Firefighters Fighting for a Cure” to benefit Sole Ryeders, at the 8th Annual White Plains OktoberFest, on Mamaroneck Avenue, on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 7 p.m.
