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 School Days. By John F. Bailey. September  13, 2004: Almost three years to the day when the White Plains Board of Education squirmed as a horde of  parents demanded to know the reasons why former Superintendent of Schools Saul Yanofsky was not being rehired, William Pollack, Terrence McGuire, Donna McLaughlin, Rick Tompkins, Michelle Tratoros, and Peter Bassano  sat impassive in a familiar School Board scene as parents wondered in bewilderment why Mario Scarano has been shown the exit from his job as Athletic Director  by default.

 

School Board Listens to Jim Donahoe at mike, speaking in support of ousted Athletic Director Mario Scarano Monday night. Photo by WPCNR News

 

The Board of Education furrowed their brows and listened to Jim Donahoe, a well-respected parent, a Mario Scarano supporter and expert in the operations of the White Plains High School athletic program, who spoke calmly, with great dignity, and with a sense of incredulity as he detailed a timeline leading up to Mr. Scarano’s last day on Friday.

 

William Pollak, Terrence McGuire, Donna McLaughlin, Rick Tompkins, Michelle Tratoros, and Peter Bassano all furrowed their brows and listened. Maria Valentin, who was elected to replace Larry Geiger precisely because of the secret Saul Yanofsky firing (April, 2001), was not present.

 

The Scarano Papers.

 

 Donahoe, piecing together from original correspondence between Mario Scarano and the Shool District (presumably letters he sent to and received from Timothy Connors), detailed date-by-date, the many times the Board of Education delayed telling Mr. Scarano their intentions as to whether they would split his position so he could continue his job.  Date-by-date, the delays and excuses they gave him  became clear, ending in the Board rendering a final decision two weeks ago not to rescind his retirement.

 

 

 

No Surprise: Donahoe noted that the Board of Education had known since January that Mario Scarano had advised the Board he would retire unless the Athletic Directorship was split, and that he would stay on and wanted to stay on if the Board split the position so Mr. Scarano could handle only the Athletic Director duties.  ( Mr. Donahoe observed that Mr. Connors had been quoted in The Journal News as saying the retirement was a surprise.) Photo by WPCNR News

 

IHe reported correspondence that showed Mr. Connors knew Scarano was going to retire if something were not done with the position. In February, Mr. Scarano spelled out that he planned to retire if the position were not split, and Mr. Connors said he would look after “both our interests” and hold any decision on the position until Mr. Scarano’s concerns were addressed.

 

“Impossible to Do Two Jobs.”

 

Donahoe explained that two previous White Plains Athletic Directors have said how impossible a job it is to handle both atheletic directoring and health curriculumming  in the same job in the White Plains school district.

 

Continuing to recount this pattern of slow motion decision-making by the Board, Donahoe said that on February 9, the BOE heard Mr. Scarano detail his plans on splitting the position. One month had passed.

 

 

Ball Control Game.

 

The Board took one month to decide and inform Mr. Scarano (on March 8) that they would split the decision if the school budget could be rearranged to pay for the two positions and the school budget were passed. This stretched out the decision until after May 10 when the budget was passed, Donahoe analyzed. Five months had gone by.

 

 

By the end of June, the Board of Education still had not acted on making the official move to split the position, and Mr. Scarano was not given an indication on which way they were leaning.  Now six months had passed, and if Mr. Scarano was going to retire, he had to get his papers in to the State Education Department.

 

However, he had to submit his retirement papers to the district by July 1, and Donahoe said Scarano informed the Superintendent he could not wait any longer. Donahoe said the delay in the school district had cost Mr. Scarano $7,000 in retirement pay for July, because Mr. Scarano’s filing of his papers had been held back due to the Board of Education stall on the splitting decision.

 

BOE Splits Position Day After Scarano Turns In His Papers.

 

Then Donahoe reported that Mr. Scarano turned in his retirement papers to the district July 5.

 

He noted pointedly,  that the day after Mr. Scarano put in his retirement papers officially July 5, the Board of Education voted to split the position July 6 as Mr. Scarano asked.  This brought a gasp from the crowd of 34 persons, and soft murmors of shock. About 12  parents were there on the Scarano matter.

 

Donahoe also brought out that after the position was split by the Board of Education, Mr. Scarano asked Timothy Connors if the Board would rescind his retirement on July 13.

 

Connors advised  Scarano, he would meet with the Board on it. Donahoe said the meeting at which the Board was to discuss rescission on July 27 no action was taken “because several members were absent.”

 

Running Out the Clock.

 

On August 9, again no action was taken. Then, last week, (as reported by the CitizeNetReporter) in executive session Mr. Scarano petitioned the Board to allow him to apply for the position. (At that Executive Session, Mr. Scarano addressed the board, then afterwards, sources familiar with the Board, said they voted 7-0, not to rescind his retirement.)

 

The decision to split the A.D.-Health Curriculum Coordinator job into two positions  had been delayed, (some might think unnecessarily since the budget always passes in White Plains)  four months. The decision whether or not to rescind Mr. Scarano’s retirement had been delayed approximately six weeks at this point.

 

 This inaction by the Board of Education, cost Mr.Scarano his August retirement payment of $7,000.  More to the point, Mr. Scarano has been distracted from applying for another job due to the Board lack of definitive action.

 

A “Testimonial Dinner Tribute” Mr. Scarano Will Never Have.

 

Prior to the disclosures of the “Scarano Scenario,” Donahoe had listed an array of Scarano innovations the Athletic Director & Health Curriculum Coordinator had brought to the district, in addition to supervising 78 coaches.

 

Donahoe credited Scarano for starting a  Parent-Coaches Preseason Orientation Meeting (which has not been held yet due to Mr. Scarano’s departure),  A parent council that met on athletic issues and situations during the school year, hiring a full-time Athletic Trainer at the High School, which Donahoe credited with saving his son’s life in school last spring due his quick action; the Fall, Winter and Spring Sports Dinners; a Kindergarten Phys. Ed. Program; A College Game Plan Guide for athletes, as well as improving the academic performance of athletes.

 

At the outset of his talk, Donahoe said Mr. Scarano “would love to stay on as Athletic Director of White Plains High School.”  He said Scarano “extolled the philosophy that made athletics prosper, and a positive feeling of school pride.”

 

Women’s Basketball Coach Says Coaches feel “very vulnerable.”

 

Sue Adams, the Women’s Basketball Coach at White Plains High School came to the podium and said the de facto decision not to bring back Scarano made her nervous.

 

 She said “I’m very vulnerable as a high school coach.”

 

She said coaches are forced to make very hard decisions . “I’ve had parents very upset with decisions I’ve made…But it’s so difficult. There’s always a parent there to knock you down. Mario was very supportive (of us)…If you bring in a new Athletic Director, they have to be very strong and supportive of the coaches.”

 

Scarano asked coaches, teachers, student athletes not to speak.

 

Mr. Donahoe, at that point, asked politely from the back of the room to make a clarification, and he was allowed to do so. He said Mr. Scarano had asked all his coaches and the athletes who play for White Plains High School, not to come and speak for him, though many wanted to come and support him.

 

Russell: Created an Athletic Program Where There is Something for Every Child

 

Eric Lazere, whose son played on the baseball team, stood up next and said Mr. Scarano was a man with “vision, and integrity and wise,” calling him a “tremdous asset to the School District.” 

 

Serena Russell, former member of the Board of Education said she was happy the Board was splitting the Athletic Director and Coordinator of Health Curriculum, and praised Scarano for the athletic program providing a program for “every student.”

 

 

Mrs. Encarnacio, a parent of an athlete on the White Plains softball team, in an emotional address in which she appeared on the threshold of tears, blamed Mr. Scarano’s ouster on “a small minority of parents” who complained to the board while “the vast majority” of parents are very happy with Mr. Scarano and the program. Ms. Encarnacio said, “one parent had trouble with the softball coach, and another parent had trouble with the baseball coach.” She accused the Board of listening to a few who were out to get Mr. Scarano.

 

For the record, it is common knowledge in WPHS sports circles, that there are a lot of issues with rosters, playing time and athlete policy. Even Mrs. McLaughlin’s daughter was cut from the softball team and she complained to Mr. Scarano about  the cut. Another parent, Stephen Taft, who ran for the School Board last year, was very critical of the baseball coach for his conduct towards the team, and of Mr. Scarano and the school in general on fund-raising activity policy.

 

 

Board President Reads a Statement. Donna McLaughlin, President of the Board of Education reads BOE Statement on the Scarano Scenario. Photo by WPCNR News

 

At this juncture several parents in a respectful way wanted to know why the Board did not let Mr. Scarano come back.  Ms. McLaughlin said, flushing, “We didn’t know he’d made up his mind to keep his job,” then, steadied by Mr. Connors arm, sitting beside her, Ms. McLaughlin regained her composure and said the Board did not normally comment on statements made in the public comment period, but said the Board had a statement on the Scarano Scenario which she proceeded to read:

 

We want everyone to understand that we gave Mr. Scorano’s (sic) request to consider rescission of his retirement due consideration and have fully recognized his contribution and services to White Plains athletics over the past six years.

 

We have heard many comments from many members of the community, and listened carefully to what you have to say.

 

In fact, we took the extraordinary step of giving him an opportunity to make his case to rescind HIS resignation before the full Board. But, ultimately, this is a persononnel issue, and, based on hours of discussions and meetings in Executive Session which we cannot discuss with you’re here, we took no further action to rescind his retirement and, therefore, his retirement stands.  But we wish Mr. Scorano (SIC) best of luck in his future endeavors.

 

 

 

The somber discussion wound up with a parent asking from the floor if Mr. Scarano could apply for the job. Mr. Connors said, “Anyone can apply.”

 

The Board did not take the opportunity to explain the reasons, the issues, the transgressions, whatever they may be of what is wrong with Mr. Scarano’s program, and why Mr. Scarano was not being brought back, even though he has begged to do so. They did not take the opportunity to elaborate on what objectives  they hoped to achieve by seeking a replacement for Mr. Scarano, and what policies were wrong, if any.

 

Panaro Hired as Interim Athletic Director

 

Connors explained that the Board had not been able to reach agreement with Mr. Scarano on continuing in the interim, (as reported by WPCNR), he and Dr. Laura Bochlert, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources had come up with a “backup plan” and that Nick Panaro had volunteered to act as Interim Athletic Director for the next three months.

 

Nick Panaro, Interim Athletic Director, White Plains High School Effective Today. He will serve through November 30. Mr. Panaro is seen at the Gressler Memorial Cross Country Meet Saturday. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

Connors said Panaro had been a coach at White Plains High School, was a Health Teacher,  knew the athletic program and had agreed to step up to the temporary duties. The Board voted later in the evening to hire him for three months, extending through November 30.

 

As the agenda turned anti-climactically to the good news of the opening week of school, parents moved slowly out of the meeting room, one muttered very slowly, “This is disgusting,”

 

Another said, “we have to vote them all out.”

 

The group stood venting loudly in the entrance to Education House for about a half-hour as the meeting continued.

 

Guidelines for New A.D. to be Set. Stressing Evaluation.

 

Connors, speaking to WPCNR after the public school board meeting had ended, and they were waiting to start an Executive Decision, elaborated on how Mr. Scarano’s successor would be selected:

 

“After the committees get together, they will look at those qualities that we are looking for in our Athletic Director. Certainly the things that we are looking for is to continue to build the program that we have for youngsters 7 to 12. Usually the process that we have is that our (personnel) committee will come together help us set those guidelines so that they’re clear.”

 

WPCNR asked if there were going to be any change in  responsibilities of the Athletic Director.  Connors said, “No the responsibilities for that job are changed in the sense that it’s just an Athletic Director not a combination of positions. But all of the things were in the present job description (of Athletic Director duties), will be required here, and putting an emphasis on things like evaluation of programs, expansion of programs and those kind of things.”

 

WPCNR asked if any comtemplation of removing coaches would be considered: “We’re interested in strengthening our program and moving forward. I think we have wonderful coaches and our job as teachers is not to get rid of people but to help them improve their task in terms of helping our young people learn new skills.”

 

Connors said the hire process would have the screening committee select three finalists and present them to him, and he would make a recommendation to the Board of Education.

 

Residents can see the The Board of Education meeting which was video-taped and will be cablecast on Channel 77, WPPE-TV, Wednesday evening at 7:30 P.M.

 

Lisa  Lutz, a principal from The Bronx was introduced by Superintendent Connors as a guest of the District. He said she was in the process of earning her doctorate and had asked to observe a School Board in action as part of her research. Ms. Lutz saw how the White Plains Board of Education works.

 

 

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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.