A series of storms ended yesterday’s football game in Monticello with the Dragons ahead, 35-0. The game will count as a Dragon victory; it will not have to be continued.
The teams were almost finished with their warm-ups when the threat of lightning sent them back to the locker rooms. When the players returned; they had just a few minutes to get ready for the kickoff.
Once the game started, Cornwall showed some lightning of its own. The Dragons scored five touchdowns in just over 24 minutes of playing time. Kevin Gangemi went into the end zone three times on rushes and once on a pass reception. Chris Bauer added to the Dragon lead on a long toss from Mike White.
At the end of the second quarter, the officials told the coaches that the next storm was expected to hit the field within a half hour. The teams took their usual 15-minute break, and the game was called soon after play resumed.
Coach Marcus Hughes was pleased with his team’s performance. The players didn’t miss many assignments, and the new kickers both had good days. Eric Growney converted five out of five extra points, and Ryan Incognoli lofted a punt that traveled 45 yards past the line of scrimmage.
On defense, Nick Klumack picked off a screen pass, and Matt Robinson and Deston Treasure-Edwards both recovered fumbles. The coach was disappointed that the storm kept the Dragons’ second and third teams from entering the game. “They did a great job,” he said, “in helping us get ready.”
Coach Hughes has a lot of respect for Kingston, the Dragons’ next opponent. He said that their quarterback is elusive and accurate. As for his own players, the day after the game the coach was optimistic. “They’re going to keep getting better,” he said.
