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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 9, 2004. Updated 9 A.M. October 10, 004: It was second down and the Tigers faced a long, long 20 yards to go for a first down on the Roosevelt 38 yard line this afternoon deep into the third quarter and the Tigers leading only 14-12. Kevin Avery stepped quickly back into the pocket and zipped a quickie to Gary Morello in the right flat and the G-Man was gone DOWN the right sideline, cutting, swerving, scampering flying all the way to the Roosevelt 5 yard line for 33 yardos. Two plays later Ike Nduka, White Plains’ tactical nuclear weapon rammed home for his third of four touchdowns to break open a tense game against the Indians of Roosevelt which played the Tigers very tough.
White Plains stopped the Red and White on downs after the K-0, and Nduka rumbled, rambled, straight-armed and twisted through the Roosevelt secondary for 55 yards to set up his fourth touchdown on a fourth and goal at the close of the third quarter. The White Plains Tigers moved to 4-2 on the season.
The G-Man Running to Daylight: Gary Morello at the orange first down marker tacks on bundle dashing 33 yards after a Kevin Avery quick-out on a second and 20, set up the cruncher touchdown with five minutes and change to go in the Third Quarter. Gary told WPCNR that Connor Lantier made a great block to spring him for the key recept and first down run. Morello also intercepted a pass later in the final stanza and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Lantier got into the act and returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown to ice the game, just before Gary’s “Pick.” Photo by WPCNR Sports.
Ike Nduka the human Nuclear Weapon, lies in the end zone at the far left of this shot, after a dive for the pilon from the 5. The Zebras ruled he was down at the five. Nduka’s 55 yard run through the entire Roosevelt secondary set up Nuke’s fourth touchdown of the afternoon. It was another 150 yard plus day for the workhorse of the Tiger backfield who always has the dirtiest uniform. Photo by WPCNR Sports
Nevertheless, Head Coach Anthony Fiorilli had the Roosevelt Indians up for this game and competitive deep into the fourth quarter with a chance to win. The contest began with White Plains summoning the strength to play hard another weekend after last week’s referee robbery in the Mount Vernon game. Number 28, Ike Nduka took over where he left last week for White Plains, ripping off cruising gains of on sweeps left for 15 yards and the left for 27 yards to give White Plains a first down at the Roosevelt 43, but two passes fell incomplete and on 3rd and 7 from the 43, White Plains punted to the Roosevelt 18.
Why you don’t pass inside your own 20
Inexplicably on first down, Terrell Barner dropped back to pass. Looking, looking, his protection broke down and Shawn Jimison cornered him and kept pushing him back back and instead of taking the sack, Barner kept retreating to the goal line while Jimision played with him like a big cat plays with a mouse, tackling him at the 2. It is a key play.
After a pitch gained only 3 yards, on 3rd and 24 from the 5, Roosevelt tried another pitch play and the runner could not handle the pitch, and the Tigers recovered the fumble at the 2 yard line. Akin Benton, we believe recovered the fumble. Ike Nduka plunged over on the next play for a 6-0 lead at 5:44 of the first quarter. Pablo Siaba added the point and it was 7-0.
The lead was shortlived. On second and 3 on the Indians ensuing series, the Tigers were played by their nemesis last week, a trap play. Ralph Mckenley found himself in a convoy of red shirts romping 73 yards for the catchup TD. Roosevelt did not convert and it was 7-6 with 4:18 to go.
Giveaway Exchange
After Roosevelt kicked off, Kevin Avery juggled a snap and fumbled, and a Roosevelt rusher ran the fumble into the end zone from the White Plains 40, but the play was called back due to an early whistle. The called back TD was a huge momentum swing. White Plains punted after not moving it, and on the first play from their own 4, Ramapo messed up another halfback pitch and White Plains recovered at their own 40.
Nduka and Scotman – reunited.
With Paul Scotman returning to action for the first time in three weeks, Ike Nduka’s game was enhanced and the Tigers reasserted themselves driving 60 yards in 11 plays to take an 8-point lead.
Nduka went off tackle for 9. Then broke off-tackle slanting to the right side for 13 yards to the 27. Scotman plowed up the middle to the 23. Then it was Scotman again to the 19. On 3rd and 2, “The Nuke” got the call and swept left to the Roosevelt 12 yard line for a first down and goal, when the First Quarter ended, 7-6 White Plains.
It took four tries to get a first down on the 1. Nduka carried to the 8. He carried again for no gain. Gary Morello swept to the five. Ike got the call and swept around right end to the 1 for a first down. And piled over for the Tigers’ second touchdown with 10 minutes to go in the first half on first and goal. Pablo kicked the point after and the Tigers were ahead 14-6.
Roosevelt appeared stopped on third down at their own 30 on their next sequence but a Berrell to Kim Garland pass over the middle gave the Indians a first down on their 48. There was a short gain to the Tiger 45, then Quarterback Barner scrambled and eluded a posse of Tigers and escaped down the sideline for 43 yards before Gary Morello pushed him out at the Tiger 2 . On the third try from the White Plains 2, Barner got in and it was 14-12. That was the way it stayed until halftime.
The Tigers were moving the ball on their next series getting to the Indian 15. Ike Nduka swept left all the way to the Roosevelt 1, but was stripped of the ball and Roosevelt recovered at the 1 to end the bid.
The second half began much like the first quarter did. Both teams stopped each other on their first series when White Plains started their next drive on their 43.
The Nduka Beat Goes On.
The Tigers went to their meat-and-potatoes. Nduka rip[ped for 5, then burst off-tackle slanting right, into the secondary, brushing past tacklers, straight-arming tacklers and brushing them aside with speed, flash, and dash and gathering momentum as he traveled deep into Indian country at the 22. Two holding penalties put the Tigers back at the Indian 38.
Avery to Morello Puts Tigers in Business.
Kevin Avery took the snap. Looked right and zipped a quick-out to Gary Morrello in the flat. Gary turned back to his right, two-handed the pass smoothly and outletted to the max, accelerating instantly DOWN the flank, jetting past tacklers thanks to a takeout block by right-end Conner Lantier. Sky Captain glided through the secondary for the first down on the 5. The pattern which had not worked earlier in the game covered 33 yards. It was Avery’s first completion of the day, but the key play of the game.
CLINCHER: Ike Nduka takes over. Nduka leans into the line after taking handoff from Kevin Avery (12) and follows the wall of Tigers two plays later for a 21-12 Tiger lead with 4:16 to go in the third quarter. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
After Roosevelet was held to three and out, the Tigers took over on their 33. Ike Nduka ripped off his big gainer of the day—55 yards to the Roosevelt 5. Ike carried 4 straight times before slamming over from the 1 foot line for the 28-12 lead at the close of the third quarter.
Roosevelt punted to Connor Lantier who streaked in from 50 yards to make it 35-12. Then Gary Morello picked off a Barnell pass, returning the pick 40 yards for the final Tiger touchdown.
WPHS BAND INTRODUCED A GREAT NEW FLUTE NUMBER. Photo by WPCNR BandCam.
A Somber Setting of Pathos.
This game was played in a stadium of melancholy, which makes you appreciate the independent School District of the City of White Plains.
Tony Dematteo Field: A sad place. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
The scarred, naked dirt of the Yonkers Roosevelt High School gridiron, Tony Dematteo Field was reminiscent of old Baker Bowl in Philadelphia from the 30s with its rusty iron railings and graffiti scrawled brick high school wall from which the old concrete grandstand extends from the old high school. Dematteo Field bares forlorn witness to the Yonkers School District and the City of Yonkers which has disenfranchised the children of this city.
The Tigers play on a plush, newly sodded Parker Stadium, the Indians play on dirt. The White Plains City School District sinks its budget into its school facilities, keeps them tuned up and invests in its children, while the Yonkers city administration and school board pays itself before a dime is spent on its facilities.
Dematteo Field is pathetically scarred, with a pitted track, a grassless gridiron, and broken rails in the grandstand. Nevertheless, Roosevelt’s football team competed strongly today with pride and passion to the end. Anthony Fiorilli coached and prepared his team well, treating his players with respect to the end.
They were worthy adversaries, and the players and students deserve better. WPCNR feels for them that they have to play in a school atmosphere where the adults who run the school district simply do not treat them right.
WPHS CHEERLEADERS HIGH STEPPING. The Cheerleaders learned this week that their mentor, Mike Colabello had resigned Thursday as their coach and would not be back. They were back in action as coordinated as ever, with Mrs. Santa-Donato presiding over the Tigerettes. A search is now under way for a new cheerleading coach according to Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
