WPCNR PRESSBOX By John F. Bailey. September 28,2002: What is it about football coaches trying to be smart on a kickoff? That’s what Saunders did to start the game when they kicked off to White Plains in Yonkers Saturday afternoon. They tried an onside kick. Not good!
The Tigers recovered at about their 33 yard line. On the very next play on a sweep left, Ike Nkuka swerved around left end and raced 67 yards for a touchDOWN! It was yet another big play game for White Plains as the Tigers bottled up Saunders, 27-0, to even the White Plains record at 2-2.
START OF SOMETHING BIG: It’s the second quarter in Yonkers, QB Mike Devere slides back with stealth into the pocket at his 30 yard line behind Ike Nkuka(28) and Spencer Ridenhour, blockers looking left and deep. In seconds he had thrown a 63-yard scoring scoring strike to Evan McGuire in full stride at the Saunders 40 who cruised into paydirt to put White Plains up 20 to 0.
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After stopping Saunders on their next series, the Tigers got the ball back and marched down the field with Spencer Ridenhour scoring on a straightahead 7 yard run, and it was 13-0, midway in the first quarter.
Second Quarter: A Mike Devere Moment.
Saunders was moving the ball slowly towards the end of the first quarter, and as the second quarter started they had a third and 13 on the Tiger 30, when Joey Vitanza nailed the Saunders QB in the backfield attempting to pass at the Tiger 40. Fourth down failed and the Tigers took over.
Again, the Tigers made a big play, Mike Devere dropped straight back with great protection. Evan McGuire slipped behind the defense down the left alley and Mike hit him in full stride.TouchDOWN! The point was good, and the game was essentially over at 20-0, White Plains.
Beginning of second half a scare
Mindful of the Gorton comeback on them last week, fans who made the trip down to Yonkers were apprehensive when the Saunders kickoff return man nearly broke away at the 50, but Toney Ciaramella nailed him on a drop-’em-dead, head-on tackle low at the Tiger 48, saving a runback for a touchdown.
Saunders drove to the Tiger 30. However the Tigers made three consecutive sacks to push Saunders back to their own 40 and they kicked it away.
Then the Tigers drove for their fourth and final touchdown. The key play being a 12 yard run by Spencer Ridenhour, that was increased by a 15 yard personal foul penalty, setting up WP on the Saunders 25. Spencer ran it in for his second touchdown of the afternoon from 7 yards out. The point made it, 27-0, Tigers.
Some good open field stops
The Tiger defense bent but did not break containing the scampering Saunders backs when they slipped tackles and tightening up when they had to.