Coach Mike Connolly got right to the point in his post-game speech to his players. The Dragons had just defeated Rye 21-17 to advance to the state semifinals.
“I’m proud of you guys,” the coach said, “but now it’s time to get back to work.” A day after the Nov. 15 victory at Mahopac, the Dragons returned to the football field to get ready for a rematch with Queensbury, the defending state champion.
Since 2003, Cornwall has won 27 postseason games — 20 against Section IX opponents and seven in the state tournament. But until last Saturday none of the wins had resulted from a final-period rally.
The deciding touchdown drive began with less than six minutes to play. Almost all the yardage was gained on the ground, which was ironic because (unofficially) Cornwall had netted just two yards rushing through the first three quarters.
The move downfield started with Kobie Thomas gaining 13 yards on a sweep. Then Kevin Gangemi went up the middle for five. On two successive plays, Jason Bailey faked to Kevin and moved straight ahead, bouncing off tacklers for gains of 17 and 12 yards.
Jason was limited to a yard when he tried the play for a third time. But on the next down, he threw a sideline pass to Tyler Peddie, who was just a step beyond the line of scrimmage. Tyler made a cut to the inside and sprinted through the defense without being touched.
“We need to hold them for just three more minutes,” Brendan Rose shouted to his teammates after the extra point was good. The Dragon defense had stopped Rye’s conventional plays in the second half, but a few innovations had kept the Garnets in the game.
On their last possession, they had moved downfield on a halfback pass, and then scored after switching to a new formation and completing a pass to the fullback, who was by himself in the end zone.
On their final series, they moved to the Dragon 30-yard-line on a pass-and-lateral play. A penalty advanced the ball to the 16, but that’s where the threat ended. After a sack and two incompletions, Rye tried another trick pass play on fourth down. This one didn’t work, as Quinn Zsido made a diving interception. As he returned to his feet, he held the ball aloft as his teammates celebrated.
It was Cornwall’s fourth interception of the day. Brenden O’Flaherty picked off two passes — one where he went airborne to get to the ball ahead of the receiver, Matt Robinson had an interception on a bullet toss over the middle.
The Dragons, ranked second in the state, will play Queensbury (the number one team) at 8 o’clock on Friday night at Dietz Stadium in Kingston. The winner will advance to the dome.
SCORING
R: Livingston 4-yard run. Kick good (0-7, 1Q)
C: Thomas 29-yard pass from Bailey. Kick wide (6-7, 1Q)
R: 31-yard field goal (6-10, 2Q)
C: Peddie 11 yard pass from Bailey. 2-pont conversion good (14-10, 3Q).
R: Lubeck 19-yard pass from Livingston, kick good (14-17, 4Q)
C: Peddie 15-yard pass from Bailey. Kick good (21-17, 4Q)
STATISTICS
Touchdowns: Peddie 2, Thomas 1. Extra points: Peddie 2 (pass); Growney 1 (kick). First downs: Robinson 3, Thomas 3, Bailey 2, Gangemi 1, Peddie 1,
Passing: Bailey 16 completions in 31 attempts for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Receiving: Thomas 5 catches for 61 yards; Peddie 4 for 45; Robinson 3 for 80, Gangemi 3 for 29, Reilly 1 for 7. Rushing: Gangemi 8 carries for 9 yards; Bailey 6 for 20; Thomas 3 for 21, Zsido 1 for 0.
Fumble recovery: Zsido. Interceptions: O’Flaherty 2, Robinson, Zsido. Sacks: Roth 2, Manzari 1, Doulin 0.5, Krafft 0.5, Russo 0.5, Vizethann 0.5.
