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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 13, 2003 UPDATED 10:30 PM. E.D.T.: John Corretti swooped in and got a paw on a Gorton punt in the first quarter on the GHS 30 and Mike Johnson alertly fell on it, to start the Tigers on their way to their second win of the 2003 season at mist-swept Gorton High in Yonkers Saturday.
Moments later after the Tigers had scored on 5 consecutive runs by Spencer Ridenhour TD plunge capped by Number 33’s first touchdown of the season, Evan McGuire recovered a fumble on a sloppy Gorton reverse to set up the Orange and Black on the Gorton 35.
Mike Devere followed that play up with a sweet cross-the field 35 yard touchdown strike to Ryan Smalls. After seven minutes of play, the Tigers had a 14-0 lead, and held off the Wolves the rest of the way to win 28-14. Spencer Ridenhour intercepted a Gorton pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown to give White Plains a 21-8 lead at half-time. Ike Nduka emerged as a chew-em-up companion back to Ridenhour, rushing unofficially for close to 100 yards in the second half, scoring the Tigers clinching TD in the third quarter.
TIGERS SET THE TONE IN FIRST HALF: Mike Lane, a major force in the Tiger secondary all afternoon, stops a Gorton touchdown at the close of the first half. The “Night Train” added an amazing interception in the third quarter to set the Tiger clincher. The Orange and Black defense contained Gorton sweeps and passes all day on a slippery field, stretching most every series Gorton ran to the full 3 downs or 3-and-out. Photo by WPCNR Sports
White Plains kicked off and stopped Gorton on downs, thanks to that “old reliable,” the Illegal Procedure penalty, that set
6 for 6
After a Mike Devere pass over the middle couldn’t be handled, Devere handed off to Number 33 (Spencer Ridenhour) who started rumbling going left, going right, picking up momentum down the middle to the 13 yard line for a first down.
That worked so well, Devere gave it to him for the same play for 5 yard to the 8, another carry for 4 and on third and 1 from the four yard line, Spence was pushed by Devere for the first and goal. Ridenhour jammed in for his first rushing touchdown of the year at
FUMMMMBOOOOOL! And a TD Flyer.
Two minutes later, the Tigers scored again on another “good hands” play. The Wolves attempted a reverse in the back field and the handoff was missed. There it was the football free on the grass at the Gorton 25. Evan McGuire smothered it for the turnover.
On First from the Gorton 25, “Lefty” Devere rolled slight to his left. Ryan Smalls lit out diagonally for the sideline to the 10. Devere lead him perfectly over Ryan’s right shoulder and he was long gone, ahead of the back with the angle and inside the goal line
Pontoon for his first touchdown of the season. Siaba kicked the point and it was 14-0 with
Ridenhour Picks Them Off.
KILLING CLOCK in the Third Quarter. The Tigers moved the ball at will, taking “comeback time” off the clock. Photo by WPCNR
Gorton scored at the end of the first have on a quarterback draw play on fourth down and added a trick 2-point conversion to make the score 21-8 at the half.
Third Quarter Defense Comes Through.
Gorton on their first play from their own 30, fired a pass to the right flat near the sideline, behind the receiver. Mike Lane dove to his knees caught the moist football in front of him when he was going down, bellied it, and came up with a critical “pick,” taking away Gorton’s shot at getting back in the game. With the score 21-8 at the time, it was a great play, the third defensive gem of the game for
All Nduka All the Time.
Then Ike Nduka out of tailback, took up where he had left off. After Ryan Smalls was interfered with on the Gorton 15,
It was Nduka for 5 to the 20. Then it was Nduka again, up the middle, hitting one tackler, spinning off, gaining momentum, scattering Wolves like puppies, breaking about 5 tackles, “rumblin’” in the best Jim Brown tradition all the way to the 2. An 18-yard pickup.
The next play was easy. Nduka again up the middle for the touchdown. Siaba booted the point and it was 28-8 with
White Plains “Tigerettes” and Gorton “Vixens” Combined to Entertain the Fans. Photo by WPCNR Sports
Offense Poised. Defense Pouncy.
The play of the
White Plains generated touchdowns from four turnovers, three of them created.
On offense, the cohesive line play and precise routes and timing by the running backs in taking the handoffs from Devere and hitting the holes was outstanding.
The New Toe in Town.
The talk of the stands was Pablo Siaba’s extra points. He is now 5 for 5. When was the last time, we have seen that? I mean he booms them through the uprights and brings foot to the ball quickly, with the style and consistency of a professional football kicker. As one Papa Tiger said in the stands, “I’ve never seen extra points like this at this level.” Way to go, Pablo.
The Grandstand Offensive Coordinators were having dreams of Field Goals dancing in their visions down the gridiron road.