WPHS Tigers Win Football Championship
There were five seconds remaining on the scoreboard clock at Mahopac High School with White Plains High School beating North Rockland High School 20-11, in the Section 1 AA Football Championship game.
The Tigers had possession of the ball and time was running out. White Plains Head Coach Skip Stevens hoisted his arms in victory and the Tigers began to celebrate. But the referees had stopped the clock and the Tigers would have to wait one more play to exhale in relief and celebration.
Tigers quarterback Cameron Crabbe gathered his team on the field. As Stevens called for calm, Crabbe took a knee, the clock ran out and the field at Mahopac High School exploded in a sea of orange and black.
The public address announcer said several times towards the end of the game: “Please do not go onto the field after the game as there will be awards presentations at the conclusion of the game.”
Nonetheless, White Plains football followers had waited a long time to celebrate this moment and they were not to be denied. Yes, White Plains had won titles in Bowl challenges prior to this year’s Section 1 Championship. But this was the first time since the New York State high school football playoff format was enacted in 1993, that White Plains High School won a Sectional Football Championship.
“It is awesome! I cannot even describe it, to win a Sectional Championship and do it with all the support we have had around the City of White Plains, it is just awesome,” emotional declared Tigers Head Coach Stevens.
The Tigers carried the burden of a disappointing 1-7 season last year into the 2013 season and turned it completely around into a Championship year. “To go from a 1-7 record last year to Section Champions, there is nothing better,” said Tigers wide receiver/defensive back Matt Berube, who had five catches for 92 yards and an interception in the game.
Tigers quarterback Cameron Crabbe led his team to victory as a general on the field of battle. The Tigers had two touchdowns called back because of penalties. They were also stopped from scoring on four straight plays from the one yard line by a brilliant goal-line stance by the Red Raiders.
Nonetheless, Crabbe kept lining his team up on offense until he found tight-end Eduardo Rios in the end zone on a one yard pass play with 1:07 left in the game. The Tigers followed with a two-point conversion and then a Section 1 Championship.
Crabbe threw for 188 yards while completing 13 of 14 passes, one touchdown and one interception. The Tigers quarterback also sneaked the ball into the end zone from the one yard line to score. For his efforts, Crabbe was awarded the Section 1 Championship “Outstanding Back of the Game” Award.
“It is a great year. It is nice to bring winning back to the city,” thrilled Crabbe. “Our fans are the best; they are the best fans in the world. They traveled 40 minutes and packed the house, I will never forget this,” stated an overjoyed Crabbe.
Tigers’ defensive end Lukas Repetti was presented with the “Outstanding Lineman of the Game” Award. Repetti had three catches for 60 yards. His catch for 19 yards in the fourth quarter took the ball to the one yard line. The Tigers were stopped by a solid goal line performance by North Rockland but they were able to gain good field position on the punt. Then Crabbe to Rios struck next.
“This is the best feeling in the world. I was a water boy for White Plains while growing up and this is something I dreamed about,” smiled Repetti. “You never expect something like this after such a bad season last year. But we worked so hard and we got what we deserved.”
The Tigers get a bye in the New York State Public High School Championships. They will avoid the Regionals and play in the Semifinals, on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m., at Dietz Stadium, in Kingston, NY.
Congratulations to the Tigers Football Team for winning the Section 1 AA Championship and making a White Plains High School Football dream come true.
