WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 13, 2004: The Superintendent of Schools of the White Plains City School District, Timothy Connors confirmed to WPCNR today that Nick Panaro, Health teacher at WPHS and former White Plains High Cross Country Coach, founder of the Fred Gressler Memorial Meet just run this past weekend, will be recommended to the Board of Education to be appointed Interim Athletic Director replacing Mario Scarano. Mr. Panaro told his afternoon classes he would no longer be teaching their course because of his new responsibilities.

NICK PANARO, (RIGHT)  FOUNDER OF THE FRED GRESSLER MEMORIAL MEET, former WPHS Cross Country Coach, is expected to be appointed Interim Athletic Director shortly, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors confirmed to WPCNR Monday. Mr. Panaro, a Health Instructor at WPHS, is shown with White Plains Cross Country Coaches, Dan Furry, left, and Fred Singleton, Center, Saturday at the 9th Fred Gressler Memorial held annually to commemorate Fred Gressler, the beloved White Plains High Track Coach and runner. The Meet awards a $1,000 Scholarship every year to a White Plains Student for every year a student attends college. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Sources familiar with the athletic situation said the School Board had been “scrambling” to get some person in place since Mr. Scarano’s final day on the job Friday.

Mr. Connors said Mr. Panaro stepped up to say he would accept the interim position at the School District’s request. Connors told WPCNR Mr. Panaro “goes back a long way with the School District, he  knows the coaches, knows the kids, and would be a good fit” for the interim period while interviews with candidates for the Athletic Director’s position are being evaluated.

A Possible Permanent Athletic Director?

Connors said Mr. Panaro did not have the state certification to be appointed permanent Athletic Director, and that he would have to serve an internship prior to receiving any permanent Athletic Director appointment whether at White Plains High School or anywhere else. Asked if Mr. Panaro was a permanent candidate for the position, Connors said that depended on whether he officially applied.

WPCNR asked whether Mr. Panaro could work for his certification while interim director, and what would he have to do to become eligible. Connors said, “We’re looking into that, to see if we can help him with that.” Connors added that usually the state “frowns” on interim appoints also qualifying as “internships,” but he did not rule it out.

Interim A.D. Job Will Not Have Hiring, Firing Authority

Asked if Panaro would have authority to evaluate and remove coaches during the interim period that is undetermined at this time, Connors said that Panaro was not certified to evaluate coaches, appoint, hire and remove them. Connors said “Evaluating coaches isn’t part of the duties we’ve asked Nick to assume as part of the position, he’s not certified to do evaluation. The administration and I will be handling that.”

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS RADIO. From Michael Bennett. September 12, 2004: White Plains  Boy Scout Troop 73 is kicking off the 2004-05 scouting season  for boys in 6th grade through high school, with a preview of the upcoming scouting season on several Tuesdays this September. 

 

The meetings will feature information about the scouting program and a preview of the many activities the troop has planned for the scouting year. Upcoming events include a camping trip to the Valley Forge National Park, orienteering, skiing, caving, canoeing, kayaking, public service and a trip to major national parks out west next summer. Current Troop 73 Scouts and adult leaders will be on hand to answer any questions and share their experiences with the boys.

Any boy entering 6^th grade through High School is invited to visit the troop on Tuesdays September 21^st and 28^th at 8:00 PM in the south gym of the Highlands Middle School in White Plains. For additional information please contact Michael Bennett at 914-949-4679.

 

About Troop 73: Troop 73 was chartered in White Plains NY in 1955. Its mission is to provide opportunities for Scouts to learn and develop leadership skills through a full and varied Scouting program featuring extensive outdoor activities and hands-on instruction in numerous life skills.

 

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 11, 2004, UPDATED COMPLETE STORY WITH BIG PLAY PIX 1:30 A.M. UPDATED September 13, 2004 10:30 A.M. E.D.T. With HIghlight Play Pix: A goal-line stand in the final three minutes, (the second of the game), held off Gorton from the tying/winning touchdown this afternoon, earning the Tigers their second win of the season over Gorton, 19-12. Kevin Avery threw a 30-yard TD strike to Mike Night Train Lane at the beginning of the second quarter for the first Tiger 6. Ike Nduka ran for a 9 yard TD run with 2 minutes to go in the half to make it 12-0, then on the second play from scrimmage in the second half, The Nuke rumbled 45 yards up the middle for the third Tiger score, before Gorton launched its 4th quarter comeback.

INCOMPLETE ON THE GOAL LINE: On 4th and goal from the White Plains 7  with 2:25 to go, the score 19-12, Gorton’s Mike Bailey (# 5) was hurried by Tiger Akin Benton (62) Shawn Jimison (18) and Mickey Morello(32), and had to hurry his pass to his receiver shown lying on the goal-line after a desperate dive to catch Bailey’s uncatchable pass that was too low and away. The ball is shown rolling forlornly on the turf. The Tigers took over on downs and after a shaky series and a clutch 45 yard punt from the goal-line by Pablo Siaba, Gorton had only one play left and stalled as time ran out. Game Over.  Other Tigers in the Picture: Paul Scotman (29), Gerard Bryant (51). Photo by WPCNR Sports.

The dramatic goal line stand in 46^th minute of the game,  was a symmetrical finish to this strange contest that appeared well-in-hand after Ike Nduka had rumbled through the Gorton secondary for a 45 yard touchdown run two minutes into the second half on the second stanza’s second play. 

 

The Nduka nuking play occurred after Gorton, trailing by two touchdowns starting the second half, inexplicably tried an onside kick to start the second half which an alert Nduka playing the upman in kickoff reception formation, caught, smothered and fell on the football flyer to give the Tigers a first down on their own 45.

 

NUKED! Ike Nduka at back of Endzone, completes his 45 yard Touchdown Run to start the second half. It was the winner. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Paul Scotman burst through the line on the first play of second half to the Wolves’ 45. Then Kevin Avery handed off to Nduka, who followed a surging “clear away” by his line.  Swerving like a dervish past desperate hands, he got into gear, bumping off a free safety,  plowing over another Wolf at the Gorton 30, turning it up and cruising into the endzone for the touchdown.  The Tigers made it stand up, despite a furious Wolf rally.  There were to be no more Tiger drives the rest of the afternoon.

 

First Quarter Stand After Punt Fiasco.

 

The game began with White Plains stopping Gorton on their first series. After a punt, White Plains took over first down on their own 29. A holding penalty the first of five on the day called on the Tigers, set them back to their own 19. On third and 9 from the 19, Mike Lane lugged the ball to the 29, and an offside on Gorton gave White Plains 5 more yards, still it was 4^th and 5.

 

Pablo Siaba punting this week got a bad snap that skipped to his feet, and picking up the ball ran backward trying to find running room and was downed for a Gorton first down on the White Plains 8, first and goal. A sober turn of events.

 

The Wolves were hungry. Rashad Gorman  reamed the ball to the 4 yard line. He ran it again to the Tiger 1 where it was 3^rd and goal on the 1.

 

Illegal Procedure Turn-Around

 

Then the Wolves blundered. The quarterback moved his foot inducing a charge by the Tiger line. Illegal procedure! Back to the 8 yard line the ball went . What a break!  There would be about six more illegal procedures called on Gorton the rest of the afternoon, the last of which would cost them a chance to win the game.

 

On 3^rd and Goal from the 8, Gorham was overwhelmed at the 9 for a loss. On 4^th and goal, Connor Gilmartin-Donahue sacked QB Mike Bailey at the 9 and the Tigers had held.

 

Tigers Capture Momentum

 

The stand started the first Tiger touchdown drive.

 

After two handoffs to Nduka and Scotman left the Tigers with a 3^rd and 4 on the 13, Quarterback Kevin Avery handed off to Mike Lane who got outside for a first down on the 21. Next it was Nduka for 10 yards up the gut knocking them down for a first down on the 31. Two more runs left the Tigers with a 3^rd and 4 on their own 37, as the quarter ran out, scoreless.

 

Mr. Third Down and Mr. Lee Step UP for the Set-Up.

 

On the first play of the second quarter, a holding penalty brought back another Nduka gain and Kevin “Mr. Third Down” Avery was faced with a 3^rd and 13 on the Tigers own 28.

 

 Avery took the snap, carried off fakes to his backs beautifully  and the secondary bought it. He drifted back, got great protection looked right down the middle and Tommy Lee was between the outside defensive backs at the 50 yard line.

BINGO! Lee caught Avery’s pinpoint over the shoulder receiver-seeking missile between the traffic, slipping the defenders’ double grasp (Top Photo) and was quick-stepping down the middle, finally cut down by the deep men at the Gorton 30 yard line.  A huge play, covering 42 yards.  Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

After a one yard run, Avery drifted back again looking right, looking right, and there was Mike Lane at the 5, behind the defenders. 

 

TouchDOWN! Mr. Accuracy lofted a beauty, ear-high, right to Lane (at upper right of picture) who caught it Willie Mays-style over his shoulder,  sidestepped the lunging lone Wolf defender at the 3 and loped into paydirt at the end zone pontoon. A 29 yard touchdown pass! The point failed and White Plains had a 6-0 lead. The Tigers had gone 92 yards in 11 plays. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Gorton was stopped on their next two series, setting the stage for an Ike Nduka running clinic on the next series.

 

 

A Nuke More Dangerous than Indian Point.

 

Starting on their own 24 with 5 minutes to go in the first half, Ike Nduka took the ball up the middle for a first down on the 36. He took it again up the middle for 5 to the 41.  Avery threw to Mike Lane for a first down on the 50.

 

Then, ka-BOOM, “Nuke” Nduka exploded up the middle, scattering Wolves like puppies for a 20-yard pickup for a first down on the Wolf 30.

 

 

AVERY TO LANTIER SETS UP TD # 2: A holding penalty pushed the Tigers back to the Gorton 35 and  Avery stepped up again on first and 15, hitting Connor Lantier (seen as second Tiger from right) in the right flat, who made an acrobatic leaping catch Evan McGuire-style –slightly to the middle – the old DeVere to McGuire play —  for his first big recept of the year and a first down on the 9. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

Ka-BOOM again.

 

On the next play Avery slipped the ball to Ike Nduka who cruised around the left end on a sweep, the first time he’d run left all day for the touchdown that put the Tigers up 12-0, after the 76-yard drive in 7 plays.

 

NUKE’S FIRST STRIKE: Ike Nduka Top left right of your screen swept around left end and rolled into paydirt for the Tigers’ second six. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Cardiac Quarter

 

Midway through the 3^rd quarter after Nduka’s 45 yard burst for a TD, Gorton doggedly started a drive that got them back in the football game.

 

After a holding penalty on White Plains (again), stalled a Tiger drive on the Gorton 45, the Wolves used 10 plays, to score a touchdown in the first two minutes of the 4^th quarter. Using double reverses to Rashad Gorham for their big plays, they scored to make it 19-6 with 10 minutes to go, on a 2-yard run by Jamell Scott.

 

Still, no problem the Parker Stadium crowd of 500 fans thought.

 

After a routine kickoff, White Plains was only able to move the ball to their 45 before punting it away.

 

Gorton took over at their 25, and started to move it. A 28-yard pass from Jamell Schott to Rashad Gorham gave the Wolves a first down on the Tiger 46, with Mike Lane saving a touchdown.

 

After another Gorton illegal procedure put them back on the 50,  Scott hit we believe Gorham for a first down on the 30. On the very next play,  Rashad Gorham took out around the right side on a sweep and rambled into the end zone to make it 19-12. After a run failed, Gorton was one big play away from getting an opportunity to tie or win with 6 minutes to go in the game.

 

FUMBOOL!

 

Mike Lane took the kickoff back to the Tiger 39. Good field position. Then on the first play, Paul Scotman carried to the left side and had the ball stripped. The referee signaled first down Gorton, even though Paul thought he had the ball.

 

Gorton started to move again.

 

Curtis Norman banged to the Tiger 32 yard line. Norman carried again to the Tiger 24. The stands were nervous. Then on another sweep to the right, Norman carried it to the Tiger 9 with a little under 3 minutes remaining.

 

THE STAND: First down goal to go at the 9

 

On the first play, Gorton tried the reverse again. Not this time.  Paul Scotman from linebacker came right into the backfield and bulldogged the runner in the backfield for a 5 yard loss.

SCOTMAN MAKES KEY FIRST DOWN TACKLE: Scotman (29) has just downed Rashad Gorman on a kniving tackle on first and goal to go at the 9. Defensive Coordinator  Mark Armogida explained the play:  “The kids did a nice job. We ran a blitz with our middle linebacker, and Paul Scotman blitzed. He sparked our defense and threw the kid for a loss. That gave us a little bit of a cushion. We just kept attacking. We weren’t going to sit in that goal line defense and be passive. We came at them. The kids did a nice job.” Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

 

THE SECOND BIG STOP: It was 2^nd and goal on the 14. Back to pass went  Mike Bailey. But the Tigers were coming!  Gerard Bryant Number 51 (on the deck with Bailey)  and Tommie Lee combined for the key sack back all the way back on the 21. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Third and Goal from the 21.

 

Bailey had one more big play and on bootleg up the middle got the ball to the 7 yard line.

 

4^th and Goal:On the key 4^th down play, Bailey rolled to his left looking for his receiver in the end zone, but the Tigers were overloading on the right and he was pressured to get the pass off. He had his man open in the end zone, but fired it low and away into the ground. Incomplete. The Tigers had held. There was still 2:22 left in the game. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

Again Armogida explains:  “They got one positive play, but when it was 4^th and goal from like around the 5 or 6 yard line, I knew we were going to hold.”

 

“When they threw the pass, we blitzed off the corner we put a lot of  pressure on him, so he had absolutely no time to throw.  So it was either hit or miss. It looked like the kid was open, but we put so much pressure on him. The kids did such a nice job, it would have been an unbelievable pass if he connected because he had absolutely no time to throw.

 

Tigers hang on

 

Operating from their 7, the Tigers had one first down on an Avery to Scotman pass out to the 29 nullified  by their 4^th holding penalty of the afternoon and were set back to the 3 with 1:17 to go. Mike Lane got the ball out to the 10. But Paul Scotman was hurt on the play and had to be carried off. The clock was stopped.

 

As his teammates helped him to the sideline the clock remained stopped.

 

The Jim Fossel School of Time Management.

 

As Scotman  reached the Tiger bench, the clock started up.

 

However, the Gorton bench failed to call time out. They failed to call time out! The first major strategic blunder of the final minute. The clock wound down some 20 seconds before Gorton called Time Out to stop the clock with some  40 seconds to go.

 

And the Tigers ran one more play and had to punt. From their goal line with the ball spotted on their own 13.

 

Pablo Pounds It Out.

 

The snap was good as the crowd held their breath on the overcast afternoon. Pablo took his time but pounded out a beauty high and deep. His best puntaway of the day  sailed majestically out to the Tiger 45 with the Tigers getting down there to contain the runback.

 

The punt return man caught it but did not run out of bounds. A critical time-wasting maneuver which burned the Wolves last time out.

 

Final jeopardy. Time Runs Out.

 

On their first play Gorton tried a play that was a run of all things, and the clock wound down and wound down. The Wolves were slow to line up, appeared not to know what to do. They came up to the line and Bailey spiked the ball with what they thought was 6 seconds to go.

 

However, one of the lineman was not set when the quarterback spiked the ball, according to Tiger Offensive Coordinator Skip Stevens. Stevens said that when a flag is thrown, the play continues and the clock runs, which it did.

 

When Gorton returned to set up, the Gorton coach had a major discussion with the officials saying his QB had spiked the ball. The officials explained the rule to the coach.

 

The game was over. The Tigers had their win and were 2-0.

 

Avery Perfect.

 

Tiger Quarterback Kevin Avery was perfect today  (6 for 6, 123 yards) completing all his passes. A third down beauty to Tommie Lee to set up the first touchdown. His touchdown pass to Mike Lane.  A second down set up strike to Conner Lantier to set the stage for Ike Nduka’s first touchdown, the highlights.

 

I asked Avery what has made his passing so effective the first two games:

 

“It’s really the offensive line blocking, “ Mr. Third Down said, “ They block great. They gave me a whole lot of time to see open receivers. And, you know our receivers run great routes and they always come down with the ball no matter where I put it so it’s really on them.”

 

We asked Kevin what was the secret of successful routes:  “We have very intense practices. Our coaches are on us all the time. Every little mistake we make you know, we have to repeat what we did wrong and then make it right. It’s  all about correcting mistakes in practice and coaches getting on us. That  way we come out in the games and try to play as flawless as we can.”

 

PARKER STADIUM FAITHFUL. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

 

 

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. September 9, 2004: Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub promoted and swore in six White Plains Firefighters as Lieutenants today in a ceremony at the Public Safety Building today, declaring that he was very lucky and honored to serve with the men and women of his department.

 Dr. Straub stressed that in the Public Safety Department all “lead from the front.” He expressed the confidence in the department’s strong leadership, that if he himself eventually left the Public Safety Department in a year or so, he said that perhaps a firefighter might very well fill his position.

Fire Chief William Lyman said the new lieutenants give the fire department the leadership positions it needs to grow with the growing city. Mayor Joseph Delfino thanked the new lieutenants’ families for their putting up with their firefighter’s long hours away, and strongly expressed the feeling that the entire Public Safety Department and the city was like family.

New Lieutenants Being Sworn In Friday Afternoon: Left to Right, Len Bonnadies 
Vincent Zicca, Ian Paruda, Robert Barbella, Tony Stanford, and Scott Bogart. Photo by WPCNR News.

 

Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub in his talk to the new Lieutenants noted that in remembering the awful day of September 11, that it is forgotten that over 25,000 persons were rescued from the Twin Towers attack, due to the courage and responsibility of police and firefighters who “were not running away from the building, but who ran into the building.” Straub commended the six recruits, all of whom man the Rescue 88 Truck that is one of two 24/7 Rescue ready units in Westchester County. He commended them for sacrificing personal plans to train and get the Rescue Unit 88 operational on schedule. Photo by WPCNR News

Fire Chief William Lyman welcoming reruits and families to the occasion. Photo by WPCNR News

Mayor Joseph Delfino praised the Public Safety Department as “the best in the state,” and praised the fire department efforts during the 6-inch rainfall Wednesday in White Plains where, according to the Public Safety Department the fire department pumped out approximately 30 flooded basements in the city. Photo by WPCNR News.